Report Title:

Future Farmers of America; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funding to support Future Farmers of America programs. (SD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3195

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

Making an appropriation to support the future farmers of america program in hawaii.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that agriculture has long been and continues to be a major cornerstone of Hawaii's economy and lifestyle. The incalculable contributions of the sugar and pineapple industries in molding the growth and development of Hawaii needs little elaboration. Perhaps less well known, however, is the other major sector of Hawaiian agriculture known as diversified agriculture. Diversified agriculture is generally defined to include all agricultural industries other than the sugar and pineapple industries.

The increasing significance of diversified agriculture can be gauged in part from a statement appearing in an official 1977 publication of the Hawaii state department of agriculture that reads in part as follows: "Diversified agriculture made significant gains during the year returning $107.9 million to the State, which was a nine per cent increase from 1975 and a record high for this segment."

The legislature's long standing commitment to the continuing growth and development of Hawaii's agriculture is amply demonstrated by the volume and diversity of legislative measures enacted over the years.

The legislature finds that in recent years, strong attention has been focused upon the realization that the most precious resource of Hawaiian agriculture is the farmers themselves. Given this realization, and the further realization that the average age of Hawaii's farmer is fifty-seven years with only a miniscule number in the younger age categories, various legislative measures have been enacted to encourage the entry of younger people into agriculture and farming.

The legislature further finds that the Future Farmers of America, or "FFA," as it is commonly known, is a national organization of, by, and for students of vocational agriculture in the public secondary schools which operate programs under provisions of the National Vocational Education Acts. In Hawaii at the present time more than two thousand five hundred students are enrolled in twenty-two FFA chapters in Hawaii. A primary goal of the FFA program is the development of agricultural leadership, cooperation, and citizenship with sub-goals including (1) the strengthening of confidence of FFA members in themselves and their work, (2) the encouragement of its members to strengthen knowledge and skills required in agriculture and agribusiness, and (3) the provision of information and training to enhance members to make intelligent choices in the various farming occupations. This valuable program is celebrating its seventy-fifth anniversary nation-wide.

The legislature further finds that the FFA program is an important element in Hawaii's agricultural growth and development and is deserving of the fullest measure of public support.

The purpose of this Act is to support the FFA program activities for which funding support is not readily available.

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 2004-2005, for the purpose of supporting program activities of Hawaii's FFA program and activities that are not part of the normal curriculum activities of the department of education.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture; provided the department of agriculture shall contract with the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.