Agriculture Resources

Key Resources

• USDA, Agricultural Resource Service, Pacific Basin Agriculture Research Center - Leading edge research in tropical and subtropical agriculture for production, marketing and post harvest handling.
• USDA Rural Development - Financial and technical support in energy, housing and cooperative organizational development.
• USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service - Financial and technical support in soil and water conservation initiatives and irrigation development and restoration of systems and watersheds.
• USDA Farm Service Agency - Loans, emergency disaster payments and conservation programs.
• USDA Risk Management Agency - Crop insurance and other risk management services.
• USDA Market Services - Farmers market development, organic programs, market development and standards, and grades.
• USDA Forest Service - Crop production research within tropical ecosystems, invasive species and assessments.
• Hawai‘i Agricultural Statistics Service - Continuous statistical gathering and reporting on crops, plants, livestock and animals, demographics, economics and the environment.
• Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture - Importing/exporting animals and plants, financial assistance, market and business development, quality assurance, plant pest and disease control, aquaculture development, land and water.
• UH-Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources - Research, education and extension outreach in production, market and business development, processing and handling and economics.
• Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources - Lease lands available and offshore leases for aquaculture.

Genetic Modification (GMO)

• CTAHR's Biotechnology and Agricultural Education Program - University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa's website strives to provide a blance of information on GMO research, issues and concerns.
• Hawai‘i SEED - An organization working to educate the public about GMO risks.
• Hawai‘i Crop Improvement Association - An organization representing the seed crop industry in Hawai‘i; engaged in GMO research and production.

Food Sovereignty for Hawai‘i and a More Concentrated Effort to Buy Local

• Economic impacts of increasing Hawai‘i's food self-sufficiency - A dollar spent locally can result in $2 reinvested locally.
• Buy Fresh Buy Local Campaign - Statewide campaign to encourage the purchase of locally grown products.
• Hawai‘i Island Food Systems Report - A business systems approach with a focus on natural systems.
• Farmers Markets - List of local farmers markets.
• Mala‘ai - School garden provides a cultural, hands-on, place-based learning experience that teaches students how to act as stewards of the land, to collaborate with others and to enjoy first-hand the outcomes of their work.

County's Agriculture Plan and Related Water Plan

• 1992 County of Hawai‘i Agriculture Plan - Address strategies for the transition from sugar plantation to a diversified commercial agricultural sector.
• Current County of Hawai‘i Agriculture Plan Update in Process - Initial draft nearly completed, with public and commercial agricultural industry outreach expected during the summer of 2009 and completion of the plan by end of 2009. Some preliminary initiatives identified are already being targeted for implementation.
• State of Hawai‘i Agricultural Water Use and Development Plan 2004 - Series of planning documents intended to identify existing irrigation systems or sources available to agriculture, assess condition and required reparis and upgrades needed and develop long-term maintenance strategies.