SB2709

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that it is necessary to support beginning farmers in the State by partnering with nonprofit organizations to provide training opportunities to these farmers. The legislature further finds that applicable nonprofit organizations, especially those in rural areas, lack sufficient resources to expand existing training programs. The legislature believes that a beginning farmer training program could increase farming in the State, ensure the continued use of well-developed farming methods, and provide for the cultivation of new farming methods.

The legislature acknowledges that new and aspiring farmers face a myriad of challenges, including acquiring adequate production and business knowledge and skills and accessing the tools necessary to evaluate their resources and develop feasible farming and business plans. However, the State lacks qualified farming method teachers and funding for beginning farmer training. Further, although the United State's Department of Agriculture provides funding for beginning farmers, this funding is limited and unreliable.

The legislature believes that the future of the State's farming industry, food supply, and agriculture is reliant upon increasing and diversifying the number of new farmers in the State; introducing regenerative farming methods into the State; enhancing the long-term viability of farm businesses; utilizing and building upon existing beginning farmer training methods; providing opportunities for potential farmers who are socially or financially disadvantaged; and increasing support for beginning farmers who already own or manage a farm, and have farmed for five years or less.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish the beginning farmer training program to be administered by the department of agriculture.

SECTION 2. Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§141- Beginning farmer training program; established. (a) There is established the beginning farmer training program to be administered by the department of agriculture in conjunction with qualified farmer training providers.

(b) The department of agriculture shall:

(1) Collaborate with; consult with; and provide funding, information, and educational resources to qualified farmer training providers;

(2) Implement strategies to increase the number of new farmers in the State, with a focus on recruiting low-income persons, disabled persons, and military veterans;

(3) Assist qualified farmer training providers seeking federal and county funding to expand their training offerings;

(4) Evaluate the effectiveness of the farmer training program;

(5) Subject to the availability of funding, distribute funding to as many training programs as is practical to achieve the purpose of program; and

(6) Retain records of all activities and costs related to the implementation of the beginning farmer training program.

(1) Qualifies for Hawaii resident tuition or provides proof that the beginning farmer has been farming for no more than five years;

(2) Maintains satisfactory academic progress; and

(3) Demonstrates an interest in pursuing a career in the State's agricultural industry.

(d) Subject to the availability of funding, the department of agriculture may enter into contracts with qualified farmer training providers on a first come, first served basis and in accordance with section 103D-304 to effectuate the purpose of this section; provided that:

(1) No contract shall be more than $100,000 per year per provider;

(2) The term of any contract shall be no longer than one year;

(3) No qualified farmer training provider may receive more than $300,000 in aggregate for services procured pursuant to this section during any five-year period;

(4) Any requests for proposals submitted pursuant to this section shall include:

(A) Types and quantities of training services, including hours of hands-on instruction;

(B) Criteria for evaluating the success of the beginning farmer;

(D) Qualifications of the provider's trainers;

(E) Proposed dates of training; and

(F) A summary of any previous funding received pursuant to this section.

(e) Training services procured pursuant to subsection (d) may include the following topics:

(1) The proper methods of:

(A) Planting, tending, cultivating, and harvesting various types of crops; and

(B) Raising livestock or poultry;

(2) Soil health;

(3) Agricultural business operations, including workforce issues, regulatory compliance, and general operations; and

(4) An industry analysis of the agricultural industry and related markets.

(f) A qualified farmer training provider providing services pursuant to this section shall make available for inspection and examination by the department of agriculture during regular business hours all related training materials, sites, and facilities.

(g) The department of agriculture shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to each regular session. The report shall include at a minimum:

(1) The number of beginning farmers enrolled in the beginning farmer training program during the preceding year;

(2) A description of each qualified farming training provider;

(3) An assessment of the ability of program participants to complete project objectives and work tasks; and

(4) An evaluation of the results achieved by the program, to be written, to the extent possible, in measurable and quantifiable terms.

(h) As used in this section:

"Beginning farmer" means a person who has been farming for no more than five years and is eighteen years of age or older.

"Qualified farmer training provider" means a nonprofit organization with more than two years of experience offering farmer training programs and that is engaged in the growth, cultivation, or raising of crops, livestock, poultry, poultry products, or dairy products; provided that this term shall not include facilities primarily engaged in processing agricultural products."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 to establish and implement the beginning farmer development program.

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

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020; provided that section 2 of this Act shall be repealed on June 30, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2709
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII