COM 0608.001 2008-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A RESOLUTION URGING ADOPTION OF MEASURES TO ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN EFFECTIVE AGRICULTURAL POLICY FOR THE COUNTY OF HA WAPI BY MEANS OF AN AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMISSION. WHEREAS, the Hawai'i County Council is responsible for the promulgation of regulatory actions regarding the development and enforcement of agricultural policies for Hawai'i Island; and WHEREAS, the State of Hawai' i has identified food security and food self- sufficiency as priorities in the Hawai'i 2050 Report; and WHEREAS, our future food supply will depend on educated policy-making at County level to include an emphasis on smaller, more diversified family farms; and WHEREAS, the Hawai'i County Council recognizes its responsibility to be more pro-active in this critical policy arena, particularly in light of the recent threat by the State Department of Agriculture to reduce the number of agricultural inspectors servicing farmers and residents of this County; and WHEREAS, the County of Hawai'i must preserve and protect the natural ecosystems (watershed, dry forest, stream management, water resources, coastal lands, and reefs) ofthe Island to insure the viability of agricultural systems into the future; and WHEREAS, the County of Hawai'i must protect the health, safety and general welfare of all County residents; and WHEREAS, though the County Council recognizes the need for an Agricultural Plan, currently underway, a Agricultural Advisory Commission is also needed; and WHEREAS, similarly to energy policy, this Agricultural Advisory Commission would respond to the urgent need for community experts in food policy and agricultural know-how to provide the County with key insights and recommendations regarding future County or State agricultural legislation; and WHEREAS, this Agricultural Advisory Commission can provide State representatives with a clear and concise direction the County wishes to pursue in terms of agricultural policy measures; now, therefore BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAW AI'I that it hereby urges the Mayor to prioritize administrative efforts to prepare and adopt an effective County Agricultural Plan with emphasis on food sustainability, include programs designed to promote local community food production and distribution facilities, the expansion of the County's Senior Nutrition Program, effective incentives to increase the amount of farm land in current production, and the use of food stamps at all farmers markets. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAW AI'I that a Food Agricultural Advisory Commission be created to act as a focal point for agricultural and food related issues in the County.