Report Title:

Taro Farming Education and Training Program

 

Description:

Directs the college of tropical agriculture and human resources of the University of Hawaii in consultation with native Hawaiian organizations and taro farmers, to establish a taro farming education and training program.  Appropriates funds.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2451

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

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 the college of tropical agriculture and human resources of the University of Hawaii has established a number of educational training initiatives, including agriculture training programs for students and residents to prepare them to work or study in the agriculture areas.  Existing programs provide a variety of learning opportunities that includes internships, work-based learning, laboratory training, site visits, and lectures in agriculture related careers.  Currently, there is no program that focuses on taro or that provides education and training experience in taro farming and issues related to commercial taro farming.

     The purpose of this Act is to direct the college of tropical agriculture and human resources of the University of Hawaii to establish and implement a commercial taro farming education and training program to provide education and training opportunities, including work-based learning or apprenticeships, for individuals who wish to become successful commercial taro farmers.

     SECTION 2.  The college of tropical agriculture and human resources of the University of Hawaii, in consultation with native Hawaiian organizations and taro farmers, is directed to establish a commercial taro farming education and training program by developing a curriculum that includes education and training opportunities on issues necessary for successful commercial taro farming.  The program shall be available to students and residents and shall include education and training opportunities relating to commercial taro farming issues such as taro varieties, propagation and farming methods, production and cultivation management practices, harvest and post harvest practices, pest and disease control, processing and technologies, economic and financial issues, marketing, and work-based learning experiences or apprenticeships.  In establishing the commercial taro farming program, the college of tropical agriculture and human resources is directed to consult with commercial taro farmers statewide on curriculum and program design issues, particularly relating to work-based learning experiences or apprenticeships.

     The college of tropical agriculture and human resources of the University of Hawaii shall develop an informational brochure describing the commercial taro farming program that shall be distributed by United States postal services and other methods, such as be related organizations, at conferences or meetings, to interested individuals and organizations.  Information on the program, including the informational brochure, shall also be available on the website of the college of tropical agriculture and human resources.

     The commercial taro farming program shall be operational no later than January 1, 2010.

     SECTION 3.  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 2008-2009 for the establishment and implementation of a commercial taro farming education and training program.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the college of tropical agriculture and human resources of the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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