2012-08-21 NKCDP Agriculture Subcommittee Notes Minutes

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NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN AGRICULTURE ACTION SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES DATE: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 TIME: 6:00 PM PLACE: North Kohala InterGenerational Center, Kamehameha Park AGENDA CALL TO ORDER: 6:15 PM ATTENDANCE: Frank Cipriani, Jana Bogs, Margaret Wille, WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS: Reviewed the 07/31 Minutes. Cipriani emphasized the need to recruit pro-active Ag Committee members , willing to commit their time and energy to District Ag-development. REPORTS: OLD BUSINESS; Regarding the Important Ag Lands; Current (IAL) Initiative: Frank Cipriani reported that he had contacted Earl Yamamoto, Planner at DOA for permission to disseminate his letter and links to interested landowners, outlining the procedure for Voluntary IAL Declaration. Electronic copies of this information may be obtained by e-mailing algae@biofarmshawaii.com with IAL in the subject line. Re: The Identification of 'Strategically-sited' Agricultural Lands. Regarding the proposal for a BioEnergy Hub and large-scale Marine Aquaculture Project at Ho'ea makai, Cipriani reported that he had a meeting with Will Rolston, West HI County R&D th Agency on August 17, to review the Proposal in depth for merit, at which time it was agreed to collectively persue the project's feasibility. Our next meeting will be to conduct a physical on-site-survey to be scheduled in late September. Cipriani is hoping for the cooperation of DLNR, to negotiate a lease on 52 acres of DNLR shoreline land, strategically-sited below Ho'ea Ag Park for this BioEnergy Project. Citrus-juicing Co-op: Cipriani reported he had notified the Seniors at their last meeting to see if there is interest in a program for donating all or a part of their citrus crop to Kohala High School. Cipriani suggested the students could schedule the harvests with the Seniors when the crops are ready, and with the advent of NKHS's new certified kitchen, fresh-squeezed orange juice in the school cafeterias and for the Seniors, would be a good start for the citrus initiative. Soil Testing Issues: Cipriani proposed that the subcommittee make a list of farmers who would benefit from Jana Bogs methods and provide them with information and resource. This could also tie-in to David Rotstein's suggestion of a plan to share garden equipment and help Seniors and Families wanting to put in a home garden but not having the means to do so.