THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2457
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to agriculture.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that supporting local agriculture is a strategic public investment that will build community resilience and strengthen the productive base of the economy.  The current lack of young farmers and ranchers with the experience, skills, and ambition to undertake the rigorous and complex work of farming and ranching as a business poses a significant hurdle to revitalizing local agriculture.  To address this problem, the legislature finds that rebuilding existing programs that educate, support, and encourage youth for agricultural careers, specifically Future Farmers of America, is a timely and efficient means of achieving community resilience and sustainability.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $      or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the implementation and operation of the Hawaii Future Farmers of America Association for agriculture education.  The appropriated moneys shall be allocated as follows:

     (1)  $        to build a K through 12 pipeline from elementary to secondary schools commencing with a grade four pilot in the Honolulu, Central, Leeward, Windward, East Hawaii, West Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai districts;

     (2)  $        for a part-time teacher position to:

         (A)  Provide technical support, consultative services, and other appropriate assistance to school level staff to support the effective implementation of the Future Farmers of America program;

         (B)  Assist with collection, analysis, and reporting of the Career and Technical Education Center's Natural Resources program data and evaluation reports;

         (C)  Coordinate the Future Farmers of America program's annual State Career Development Events Convention; and

         (D)  Coordinate other activities that promote leadership, agriculture education, and the Future Farmers of America program;

     (3)  $        to promote leadership and capacity in national resources teachers and students through Future Farmers of America program activities and training by providing:

         (A)  Substitutes for teachers, including teachers in any interested and eligible middle school chapters, to participate in professional development to support classroom standards-based activities that prepare students for the state Career and Technical Student Organization Convention and career development events for the Future Farmers of America;

         (B)  Partial travel subsidies, scholarships, or both, for qualifying students to attend state career development events at the Future Farmers of America State Convention; and

         (C)  Partial travel subsidies, scholarships, or both, for qualifying students to attend the National Future Farmers of America Convention; and

     (4)  $        to collaborate with the agriculture industry to promote agricultural education and create more opportunities for students to participate in supervised agricultural experiences.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Agriculture; Future Farmers of America Program; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates moneys to the DOE for the implementation and operation of the Future Farmers of America program.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.