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2021 Hawaii Farm Bureau Legislative Priorities

    2021 Hawaii Farm Bureau Legislative Priorities (In Priority Order) Relating to the Land Leases – SB 693/HB530 & HB 469 Purpose: The current Act 90 SLH 2003 has not been fully implemented to fulfill the intent of transferring land in agricultural use from the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to the Department of Agriculture (HDOA). Justification: The success of ranchers and farmers is a key component in the State’s Sustainable Hawaii Initiative to double local food production by 2030. Ranchers need long-term leases in order to prudently invest in infrastructure improvement on the leased land. HDOA rules are… Read More »2021 Hawaii Farm Bureau Legislative Priorities

    MCFB E-Newsletter ~ February 2021

      MCFB Prepares a Re-Launch of ‘Buy Local’ Campaign and Sponsors ‘Cooking Hawaiian Style’ The importance of “Grown on Maui, Buy Local” took on a whole new meaning after restaurants and hotels shut down in spring 2020. We all saw first-hand just how essential it was that our main food supply be rooted here in the islands. Now even as tourism returns to Maui, we want to keep up that vigilance and not return to the old, dependent ways. Given low visitor arrivals, we need to do our best to drive residents (and visitors) to restaurants, grocery stores and farmers markets.… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ February 2021

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      MCFB E-Newsletter ~ January 2021

        First of all, we want to wish everyone a Happy New Year, the Year of the Ox. It is time to look ahead and work towards an improved future in Maui County. The new year brings the beginning of the state legislative session which began on Wednesday, January 20. We have heard from legislators that bills that require funding will be difficult to pass due to the projected $1.4 billion budget shortfall. Presently, there are many unknowns and the state’s spending will depend on current data. Hawai‘i Farm Bureau normally introduces a package of 8-10 legislative priorities every session.  However,… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ January 2021

        $2,500,500 CARES ACT Funds available for Maui Ag (Nov 2020 Deadline)

          $2,500,500 CARES ACT Funds available NOW for Maui Ag (Deadline 20 November, 2020) This is true. The Maui Chamber of Commerce has $2,500,500.00 of CARES ACT funds via the County of Maui to distribute to Maui’s farms and ranches, including nursery operations and specialty crops. This is a NEW grant reimbursement program to cover expenses dating back to April 1, 2020 through November 20, 2020. There are two tiers of qualification:1.   A 2019 Schedule F or Corporate Farm Tax return showing a minimum of $25,000 up to $75,000 in revenue qualifies the business for a $12,500 grant.2.   A 2019… Read More »$2,500,500 CARES ACT Funds available for Maui Ag (Nov 2020 Deadline)

          MCFB E-Newsletter ~ December 2020

            Wishing you a Wonderful Holiday Season from Maui County Farm Bureau Board of Directors On behalf of MCFB’s board of directors and myself, happy holidays! We wish all of you a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. In this special season, some Japanese families make Kadomatsu. Kadomatsu is a green decoration made of pine, bamboo and plum (ume) trees symbolizing longevity, prosperity and sturdiness. From right after Christmas until January 7, Kadomatsu is believed to provide temporary housing for the toshigami sama (deity) in order to ensure a great harvest and blessings from the family’s ancestors on everyone in… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ December 2020

            Maui Onions

            MCFB E-Newsletter ~ November 2020

              We are near the end of 2020, and this has been a year of many challenges for our members. The many issues confronting us have tested our resolve to remain vigilant and focused on efficiencies in our operations. The year started as any normal year. But things changed dramatically as the coronavirus began to take hold in Hawai‘i, the U.S., and around the world. This novel virus was new to everyone, and science knew little about it. Our members’ sales decreased to serious levels, and the focus turned to our producers. We all are aware of the many government assistance… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ November 2020

              Maui Farmers

              MCFB E-Newsletter ~ October 2020

                Surfing Goat Dairy Opens Due to Strong Support for GOat Fund Me Like many in the agricultural community, Surfing Goat Dairy was hit hard financially by the Covid-19 lockdown. Facing mounting bills and decreased business, dairy owners Thomas and Eva Kafsack were forced to closed their Omaopio operation for the last several months. The solution? They put their goats up for “adoption.” But not really. The Kafsacks launched a creative online campaign they called GOat Fund Me, asking community members to “adopt” one of the dairy’s 100 goats for five years for $1,000. Only about three weeks into the fundraising… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ October 2020

                Maui AgFest & 4-H livestock fair

                8 Reasons why Farmers Voted No to Proposed County Department of Agriculture

                  As we shared in the last issue, voters in Maui County will soon receive their ballots. Among their many choices on the ballot will be a Charter Amendment question: “Shall the Charter be amended, effective July 1, 2022, to establish a Department of Agriculture to develop a sustainable regional agricultural system for Maui County?” On the surface it may sound harmless, but there is a lot behind the simple question that should cause you to strongly consider voting NO. During the first week of September, you, our members, were polled to determine how you felt about the proposal to create… Read More »8 Reasons why Farmers Voted No to Proposed County Department of Agriculture

                  Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair

                  MCFB E-Newsletter ~ September 2020

                    Farmers Say No to Proposed County Department of Agriculture As we shared in the last issue, voters in Maui County will soon receive their ballots. Among their many choices on the ballot will be a Charter Amendment question: “Shall the Charter be amended, effective July 1, 2022, to establish a Department of Agriculture to develop a sustainable regional agricultural system for Maui County?” On the surface it may sound harmless, but there is a lot behind the simple question that should cause you to strongly consider voting NO. During the first week of September, you, our members, were polled to… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ September 2020

                    Maui County Farm Bureau Covid Assistance to farmers

                    MCFB E-Newsletter ~ August 2020

                      MCFB’s Livestock Producer Assistance Program Helps Ranchers MCFB received $15,000 and committed the funds to extend our Farm Product Purchase Program (FPPP), an initiative to purchase produce and proteins from local farms and ranches and distribute to communities in need. At the time of the donation, MCFB’s program had purchased and distributed 678,954 pounds of food and was working with 22 Maui farms. “We are so grateful for First Hawaiian Bank Foundation’s generous donation to the Maui County Farm Bureau,” said Teena Rasmussen, MCFB board president. “This is truly one of the most difficult times to be farming. This gesture… Read More »MCFB E-Newsletter ~ August 2020

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