THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	59
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO START A FARM APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.

 

 

     WHEREAS, activities on Agribusiness Development Corporation lands must meet the current standards for agriculture and food safety best practices; and

 

     WHEREAS, farmers vary greatly in terms of fiscal resources, farming experience, business acumen, and English language skills; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Agribusiness Development Corporation lacks the resources necessary for constant oversight and vigilance to manage a diverse population of farmers; and

 

     WHEREAS, farmers may not be aware that compliance is required with federal programs that ensure public health on Agribusiness Development Corporation lands, including:

 

     (1)  United States Department of Agriculture Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices;

 

     (2)  United States Food and Drug Administration's Food Safety Modernization Act;

 

     (3)  Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act; and

 

     (4)  United States Environmental Protection Agency's Agricultural Worker Protection Standard; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2018, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Agriculture is urged to establish a farm apprenticeship program that creates an efficient and effective framework or model to manage farming operations through a sublease structure in which a lead farmer is responsible for the actions of the farmer's lessees; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the farm apprenticeship program should:

 

     (1)  Include the establishment of the lead farmer as a single point of contact with whom the Department of Agriculture will communicate to improve fiscal management and communication;

 

     (2)  Be a replicable model for expanded production;

 

     (3)  Ensure compliance with applicable best practice programs;

 

     (4)  Coordinate crop selection and rotation to ensure optimal production; and

 

     (5)  Develop proficiency and competence among sublessees who may move into a lead farmer position on another parcel; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management; Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center; and Agribusiness Development Corporation are urged to support the lead and lessee farmers in the farm apprenticeship program with extension services that focus on technical and workforce development issues, including outreach and training; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture; Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; Dean of the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management; and Executive Director of the Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center.

Report Title: 

ADC; Farm Apprenticeship