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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0872.003 2022-2024 P/Council Res.515-2�{ COMM.872 STY OF iya' Nit College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources UNIVERSITY • Founding College of the Univershy or Ha,vai'i a \ s f HA�JAI,I' Office of the Dean and Director for Research and Cooperative Extension 1 MANOA Testimony Presented Before the COUNTY COUNCIL (7 County of Hawaii June 5, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. By .a: -=� Parwinder Grewal, Dean -`' College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources c- Res. 515-24—AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A MULTI-YEAR t.AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I AT MANOA '' Chair Kimball, Vice Chair Inaba and Members of the County Council: 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 testimon . 2. Ref. To: ir ;U1jiGl Ref. Date , Ut 0 5 2024 3050 Maile Way,Gilmore Hall 202 Honolulu,Hawai'i 96822 Phone:808-956-4141 E-mail:ctahrdn@hawaii.edu www.ctahr.hawaii.edu An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Institution