HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	149
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

Requesting the DEPARTMENT of agriculture to PROMOTE THE EXPANSION OF AGRICULTURAL COMMERCE.

     WHEREAS, farms and agriculture-based businesses in Hawaii are often family owned and operated; and

     WHEREAS, current zoning laws prevent farmers that live on agricultural land from constructing enclosed country stores to sell products grown on or crafted from the 'Aina; and

     WHEREAS, a number of other jurisdictions allow enclosed country stores on agricultural lands; and

     WHEREAS, an enclosed country store owned and operated by a farmer for the display and sale of agricultural products grown in Hawaii and value-added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii is generally not permitted on agricultural lands; and

     WHEREAS, enclosed country stores would be a simple and effective way to provide greater access to and support for local and sustainable agricultural products, by increasing the visibility of farmers and capitalizing on the proximity of such stores to actual working farms; and

     WHEREAS, enclosed country stores would also allow our local farmers, particularly small scale farmers, to generate much-needed additional revenue in these economically difficult times; and

     WHEREAS, enclosed country stores would also serve as a source of unique pride for Hawaii's farming communities, strengthen existing connections between farmers and the general public, and promote the nutritional benefits of freshly harvested produce and other freshly made foods; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2016, that the Department of Agriculture is requested to promote the expansion of agricultural commerce by actively engaging in consultation and discussions with the appropriate governmental entities and relevant stakeholder groups, in order to facilitate the ability of farmers to construct enclosed country stores on lands zoned for agriculture; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governmental entities and stakeholder groups are requested to include, but not be limited to, the State Office of Planning, the planning departments of the respective counties, the Department of Health, the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Hawaii Organic Farming Association; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the discussions are requested to include, but not be limited to, more widespread use of special permits for enclosed country stores owned and operated by farmers, and the issuance of guidelines that would allow the following retail activities in such enclosed country stores: display and sale of agricultural products grown in Hawaii including fresh produce and refrigerated eggs, value-added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii, logo items related to the producer's agricultural operations, and other food and food-related items; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, the Director of Health, the Director of the Office of Planning, the directors of the planning departments of the respective counties, the mayors of the respective counties, the Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, the President of the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the President of the Hawaii Organic Farming Association.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Agricultural Commerce; Enclosed Country Stores