HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
176 |
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
requesting that the university of hawaii at manoa college of tropical agriculture and human resources convene a working group to develop a coordinated framework of support for preschool through post-secondary agriculture education.
WHEREAS, the average age of farmers in Hawaii is over sixty years old; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii does not have a viable farming workforce for future development and expansion of agricultural lands and food production; and
WHEREAS, in order to meet the State's aspirations for increased food security and self-sufficiency, the number of local farms and farmers will need to increase significantly; and
WHEREAS, in addition to crop and livestock production, farming today requires the ability to market products, ensure compliance with regulations, and run operations as a business; and
WHEREAS, one of the main reasons for the shortage of labor in agriculture in Hawaii is insufficient interest by youth in pursuing the fields of agriculture and natural resource management; and
WHEREAS, overall support for agriculture education among state agencies, including training for agriculture teachers, has declined in Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, a coordinated framework of support for agriculture education does not currently exist among state agencies and other stakeholders; and
WHEREAS, agriculture education can serve as a foundation for future opportunities in agriculture-related career pathways; and
WHEREAS, programs involving agriculture education, including farm to school and school garden programs, have been shown to improve student health, academic achievement, behavior, and interest in and awareness of food systems; and
WHEREAS, a vibrant grassroots movement in support of agriculture education through farm to school and school garden programs has emerged in Hawaii, along with a marked increase in new farmer training programs and other related efforts, that will greatly benefit from the establishment of a broad coalition and coordinated working group in support of agriculture education on behalf of Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, through agriculture education, the National Council for Agricultural Education envisions a world where all people value and understand the vital role of agriculture, food, fiber, and natural resources systems in advancing personal and global well-being; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, the Senate concurring, that the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources is requested to convene a working group to develop a coordinated framework of support for preschool through post-secondary (P-20) agriculture education and a plan for implementation by December 31, 2017; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be led by the Dean of the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, or the Dean's designee; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to include but not be limited to the following members:
(1) The Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture or the Chairperson's designee;
(2) The United States Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary's designee;
(3) A representative from the Hawaii Department of Education Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Support, to be chosen by the Deputy Superintendent;
(4) The Director of Labor and Industrial Relations or the Director's designee;
(5) The Dean of the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Education or the Dean's designee;
(6) The Chancellor of the University of Hawaii-West Oahu or the Chancellor's designee;
(7) The Dean of the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management or the Dean's designee;
(8) A representative from the University of Hawaii Community Colleges to be chosen by the Dean of the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources;
(9) The Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture;
(10) The Chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture;
(11) The Chair of the Senate Committee on Education;
(12) The Chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Education;
(13) A representative from Hawaii Future Farmers of America Association, to be chosen by the Dean of the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources;
(14) The President of the Hawaii 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees or the President's designee;
(15) The Executive Director of the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools or the Executive Director's designee;
(16) The Executive Director of the Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network or the Executive Director's designee;
(17) The Coordinator of the Hawaii Farm to School and School Garden Hui;
(18) The President of the Hawaii Farmers Union United Board of Directors or the President's designee;
(19) The Executive Director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation or the Executive Director's designee; and
(20) The President of the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii Board of Directors or the President's designee; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report, prepared by the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, of its implementation strategy and recommendations for developing a statewide coordinated framework of support for P-20 agriculture education, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2017; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report, prepared by the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, of the actual status of implementation of a statewide coordinated framework of support for P-20 agriculture education to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Sessions of 2018 and 2019; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the United States Secretary of Agriculture; Governor; Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture; Chairperson of the Board of Education; Superintendent of Education; Deputy Superintendent of Education; Director of Labor and Industrial Relations; Dean of the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; Dean of the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Education; Chancellor of the University of Hawaii-West Oahu; Dean of the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management; University of Hawaii Community Colleges; Hawaii Future Farmers of America Association; President of the Hawaii 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees; Executive Director of the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools; Executive Director of the Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network; Coordinator of the Hawaii Farm to School and School Garden Hui; President of the Hawaii Farmers Union United Board of Directors; Executive Director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; and President of the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii Board of Directors.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Agriculture Education; P-20 Education