Bill Text: HI SCR81 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Agribusiness Cooperative Program; Task Force

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-16 - (S) Referred to AGL/WAM. [SCR81 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2011-SCR81-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	81
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING A STUDY OF WHETHER AN AGRIBUSINESS COOPERATIVE PROGRAM TO SERVE SMALL FAMILY FARMS AND LIVESTOCK FARMS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN THE STATE.

 

 

     WHEREAS, local farmers have difficulty distributing their products to large retail establishments such as warehouse clubs, big box retail facilities, and other large supermarkets that sell produce, poultry, or other meats; and

 

     WHEREAS, small family produce farms and livestock farms currently have difficulty marketing their products to large institutions such as the Department of Education and the Department of Health; and

 

     WHEREAS, the focus of the world food economy needs to shift from its current focus on global food supply to local diversity in food security systems and local production of staple food whenever possible; and

 

     WHEREAS, local produce is usually fresher and more accommodating of local diet and culture; and

 

     WHEREAS, specialty foods should only be imported when local resources cannot fulfill the demand; and

 

     WHEREAS, most early American cooperatives were founded to help farmers market their products and improve their purchasing power; and

 

     WHEREAS, currently there are several county-focused cooperatives; however, a state-wide cooperative is needed so that small famers can service large retail establishments and state agencies and departments; and

 

     WHEREAS, an agribusiness cooperative program may also promote the development of feed mills located in the State to lower farm expenses and minimize the carbon impact of transporting imported feed to local farmers; and

 

     WHEREAS, fresh local feed will result in more nutritional byproducts from livestock and will prevent the introduction of invasive species that may negatively impact our State's delicate ecosystem and food chain; and

 

     WHEREAS, a local feed mill may be used as an economic asset to support and sustain a statewide agribusiness cooperative; and

 

     WHEREAS, permanent funding for the agribusiness cooperative program may be obtained through private and public funding; and

 

     WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources operates an agricultural extension service program that assists local farmers in the best farming practices; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii is requested to convene a task force to conduct a study on whether an agribusiness cooperative program should be established and whether the development of feed mills in the State will lower local farm expenses and minimize the carbon impact of transporting imported feed local farmers; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force examine the feasibility, usefulness, and costs of establishing an agribusiness cooperative program; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study include a proposal on the means by which the agribusiness cooperative program may be permanently funded through private and public funds or the establishment of a local feed mill; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force identify the appropriate state agency or department under which an agribusiness cooperative program should be established; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include the following members:

 

     (1)  The Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, or the Chairperson's designee;

 

     (2)  A representative of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources' (CTAHR) extension program, as designated by the Dean of CTAHR;

 

     (3)  A faculty member from the Department of Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Sciences of CTAHR, as designated by the Dean of CTAHR;

 

     (4)  A Professor of Agricultural Economics from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, as designated by the Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo;

 

     (5)  The President of the Hawaii Food Industry Association;

 

     (6)  The President of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, or the President's designee;

 

     (7)  The President of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc., or the President's designee; and

 

     (8)  A representative of the Hawaii Egg Producers Cooperative; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its recommendations and findings, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture; the Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; the Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo; the President of the Hawaii Food Industry Association; the President of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; the President of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and a representative of the Hawaii Egg Producers Cooperative.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Agribusiness Cooperative Program; Task Force