HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0872.001 2022-2024 Re5.5&24
COMM. 872
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4°/��/ + College of Tropical Agri culture and Human Resources
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of H AWA I I Office of the Dean and Director for Research and Cooperative Extension
A MANOA
Testimony Presented Before the ,
County Council rfa, ter-
County of Hawaii '
Committee(s) on Finance
May 14, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. -;
By
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Parwinder Grewal, Dean ;;;:-
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources ',°
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Res. 515-24—AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A MULTI-YEAR
AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA
•
Chair Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Vice Chair Evans and Members of the Committee:
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Resolution No.515-24
authorizing the Mayor to enter into a multi-year agreement with the University of Hawaii
at Manoa to share the cost of funding two Extension Agent positions in Hawaii that will
cover Indigenous Crops/East Hawaii Master Gardeners and East Hawaii Livestock
duties.
We support this resolution that proposes an agreement to share the cost of funding the
two Extension Agent positions in Hawaii County for five (years). The vision of the
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) is an educated
community, healthy population, and sustainable food system and environment that
strengthens the well-being and economic development of the people of Hawaii. In
2022, the agricultural producers of the County were surveyed by the Department of
Research and Development as part of the US EDA Build Back Better Regional
Challenge grant-. Phase 1 about their needs to increase and improve their production
and businesses. One of the top needs identified by agricultural producers was
increasing the number of Extension Agents to provide technical assistance to small and
medium producers to scale and increase food security, and foster cultural traditions.
County Extension agents and specialists extend research-based knowledge from the
land-grant university out to the residents and agricultural producers of the state and the
agricultural producers from the County of Hawaii have expressed how important these
noted positions are essential to the health and well-being of Hawaii's agricultural
producers and consumers.
We support Resolution 515-24 and thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony.
3050 Maile Way,Gilmore Hall 202 Honolulu,Hawai'i 96822
Phone:808-956-4141 E-mail:ctahrdn@hawaii.edu
www.ctahrhawaii.edu
An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Institution 0 o�
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