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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0204.006 2024-2026Fff#, 'M From: Regenerative Farming Hawaii Sent: Monday, April 14, 2025 10:38 AM To: Council Testimony Subject: Support Reso 120-25 Attachments: Support-Res-1 20-25-Nani-Kai-Hoku_Farm-Ag-Easement-MOKU-250141 l-v2.pdf Please forward the following file to the Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions. This email is in support of Reso 120-25 and provides community endorsements and specific letters of support for the Nani Kai Hoku Farm Agricultural Easement which was nominated by the land trust Moku 0 Keawe Land Conservancy. The easement is part of Reso 120-25: 1. Senator H.M. Tim Richards, III, District 4, Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Hawaii State Legislature 2. Brian Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau 3. Kaipo Kekona, Hawaii Farmers Union United 4. Adaptations Inc., Food hub and CSA aggregator, Maureen Datta, Co -Founder 5. Hawaii Institute of Pacific Agriculture (HIP Agriculture), Dash Kuhr, Executive Director 6. Kohala Lihikai, Joseph Carvalho, President, local nonprofit dedicated to preserving and stewarding important lands in Kohala, 7. North Kohala Food Hub, Maya Parish, Executive Director 8. North Kohala Community Resource Center, Leslie Nugent 11 L Comm. N'a- Lh Nani Kai Hoku Agricultural Easement Community Endorsements Produce and products from Nani Kai Hoku farm are for consumption in local and regional markets. Nani Kai Hoku Farm provides certified organic produce for the region as well as on - farm crafted soil inputs and a soil probiotic that Clarence Baber has been making for 27+ years. Please see the letter from Dash Kuhr, Director of Hawaii Island Pacific Agriculture, a North Kohala farm and agricultural educational nonprofit, that speaks to the importance of the bokashi and fertilizers Nani Kai Hoku farm makes for other farms on the island. The following organizations provided letters of support for this project and are available for viewing at www.nanikaihokufarm.com, delineating the Baber's long-time commitment and contributions to agriculture in Hawaii and the importance of the agricultural easement: 1. Senator H.M. Tim Richards, 111, District 4, Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Hawaii State Legislature 2. Brian Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau 3. Kaipo Kekona, Hawaii Farmers Union United 4. Adaptations Inc., Food hub and CSA aggregator, Maureen Datta, Co -Founder 5. Hawaii Institute of Pacific Agriculture (HIP Agriculture), Dash Kuhr, Executive Director 6. Kohala Lihikai, Joseph Carvalho, President, local nonprofit dedicated to preserving and stewarding important lands in Kohala, 7. North Kohala Food Hub, Maya Parish, Executive Director 8. North Kohala Community Resource Center, Leslie Nugent Moku o Keawe Land Conservancy is available to answer additional questions as are the landowners, Clarence and Baber and Gail Byrne Baber. Moku o Keawe Land Conservancy Alexandra Kelepolo (808) 315-3757 PO Box 209, Kailua Kona, HI 96745 mokuo.land.conservancy@gmail.com ,7rl ,,��U�^"~� 1�a orAr� oAp/roL powoLuLu **w*I'/ 96813 RE: Letter of Support for Funding Nani Kai Hoku Farm Agricultural Easement TuWhom |tMay Concern. | am in strong support for the allocation of funding towards the agricultural easement for Nani Kai Moku Farm. These easements are vital in sustaining our agricultural heritage, securing food autonomy' and preserving the sanctity of our agricultural lands. Agricultural easements are an important tool to help keep farmers on their farms and encourage farms to be kept in the family for the next generation. Clarence Baber has been funning in Hawaii for 40+ years and has been instrumental in furthering regenerative and organic farming: co -hounding the Hawaii Culinary Herb Association in the I980s' the Hawaii Organic Farmers Association inthe 199Os and the Koha|aChapter ofthe Farmers Union in2OIJ. In 1992' the University of Hawaii studied his agricultural methods to batter understand how they contributed to high yields per square foot and lower than normal pest challenges, This research has proven invaluable in advancing sustainable farming practices across the region. Both Clarence and Gail Baberhave been instrumental infurthering Hawaii'ahempindmtry—providing options to move the islands towards greater sustainabi|by with a crop that can be used in building materials as well as a food and fuel source. Between 2013 and 2016, Clarence coordinated stakeholders from around the state tohelp pass hemp legislation and was invited to assist with planting a research crop at the University ofHawaii. Gail serves as President of the Hawaii Hemp Farmers Association, a board member of the Hawaii Farmers Union Foundation, and has volunteered over 8'000 hours to protect coastal open space on the North Kohe|a cuayt, hometothe most numerous intact archeological and cultural sites inthe state, An agricultural easement will allow the 8abemur continue farming and pass on decades ofimportant farming knowledge to the next generation. I urge the committee to grant the necessary support for Nani Kai Hoku Farm'sagricultural easement. Sincerely, L Sen. Herbert K8~Om"Richards U|.DVM Hawaii State Senator, District 4 Office�8OO.686.67Q] November 1, 2023 RE: Letter of Support for Funding Nani Kai Hoku Farm Agricultural Easement To Whom It May Concern: Since 1948, the Hawai'i Farm Bureau (HFB) has served as Hawaii 's voice of agriculture, to protect, advocate, and advance the social, economic, and educational interests of our diverse agricultural members who produce food, flowers, energy, and more, for Hawai'i 's communities. Representing nearly 1,800 farm family members statewide, it is my pleasure to support funding of an agricultural easement for Nani Kai Hoku Farm farmed by Clarence and Gail Baber. Agricultural easements can help solve some of the challenges facing Hawaii by allowing Hawai' is farmers and ranchers to dedicate their land in perpetuity to agriculture while providing a financial boost that often allows the farmer, rancher, or the next generation in an agricultural family to remain in operation. For 40+ years Clarence has been farming in Hawaii and has played a key role instrumental in advancing organic farming, co-founding the Hawai'i Culinary Herb Association in the 1980s and the Hawai'i Organic Farmers Association in the 1990s. In 1992, the University of Hawai'i studied his agricultural methods to better understand how they contributed to high yields per square foot and lower -than -normal pest challenges. Both Clarence and Gail Baber have been instrumental in furthering Hawai'i's hemp industry to provide options for moving the islands towards greater sustainability with a crop that can be used in building materials and as a food and fuel source. Between 2013 and 2016, Clarence coordinated with stakeholders from around the state to help pass hemp legislation and was invited to assist with planting a research crop at the University of Hawaii. Gail serves as President of the Hawaii Hemp Farmers Association and has volunteered over 8,000 hours to protect coastal open space and agricultural lands on the North Kohala coast, home to the most numerous intact archeological and cultural sites in the state. An agricultural easement will allow the Babers to continue farming and share decades of important fanning knowledge with the next generations. Sincerely, A..� 14 Brian Miyamoto Executive Director, Hawai'i Farm Bureau � r Kaipo Kekona %nalef"ff) Unho"'I U100, em"I State President e P.O. Box 99 Vice-President n e-Prebella identBruch Wailuku, HI 96793-0099 Vice -President November 2, 2023 Reba Lopez Treasurer Maureen Datta RE: Support for Agricultural Easement for Nani Kai Hoku Farm Secretary Odysseus Vacalis The Hawaii Farmers Union strongly supports the efforts of Clarence and Gail Baber, East Hawai'i of the Nani Kai Hoku Farm, to place an agricultural easement on the farm to ensure Mason Scharer the farm area remains in agriculture in perpetuity. Agricultural easements help Haleakala, Maki protect the long-term viability of the nation's food supply and this intent is aligned with HFUU's mission to advocate for the sovereign right of farmers, ranchers, and Fawn Helekahi fishers to create and sustain vibrant and prosperous agricultural communities for the Hana, Maui benefit of all Hawaii through cooperation, education and legislation. Adnrea Drayer K'au, Hawaii For 40+ years, Clarence Baber has been farming organically in Hawaii. In the Natalie Urminska 1980s he co-founded the Hawaii Culinary Herb Association, in the early 1990s he Kauai co-founded the Hawaii Organic Farmers Association and the Hawaii Hemp Council (for sustainability reasons: food, fuel, fiber), and in 2012 he was a founding member Madeline Ross of the board of directors for the Kohala Chapter of the Hawaii Farmers Union. Kohala, Hawai'i Clarence also launched the first community supported agriculture (CSA) on Hawaii Chantal Chung Island, feeding 50 families per week. Kona, Hawai'i Always expanding his knowledge base, Clarence began incorporating regenerative Manna NegLanai La ona and traditional farming p practices into his organic farm in the 1980s. In 1992, the University of Hawaii studied his agricultural methods to better understand how they Kaiea Medeiros contributed to high yields per square foot and lower than normal pest challenges. 27 Mauna Kahalawai, Maui years ago, Clarence began incorporating effective microorganisms and ferments into Rufina Kaauwai his farming methods and has been producing a soil probiotic for 25 years. Moloka'i For almost two decades Clarence advocated for hemp as a viable crop for Hawaii for India Clark building materials, food, and fuel to help move the islands towards greater North Shore, Oahu sustainability. Between 2013 and 2015, he coordinated stakeholders from around Christian Zuckerman the state on behalf of HFUU to help pass hemp legislation and was invited to assist Wai'anae, Oahu with planting a research crop at the University of Hawaii. Dr. Ted Radouich Waimanalo, Oahu Gail has been an active supporter of agriculture and serves as President of the Hawaii Hemp Farmers Association as well as a board member of the Hawaii Scott Crawford Farmers Union Foundation. Gail has volunteered over 8,000 to protect coastal open HFUF Director space on the North Kohala coast; home to the most numerous intact archeological Gail Byrne and cultural sites in the state. HFUF Director Revised 08/25/2023 The Baber's commitment to agriculture is sincere and deep. An agricultural easement will allow them to keep their farm and continue to contribute to Hawaii's food production as well as pass on decades of knowledge to the next generation of farmers. Sincerely, Kaipo Kekona President, Hawaii Farmers Union United The HawaN Farmers Union United and its Chapters area nonprofit corporation formed under Hawaii law and Section 501(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code. HFUU advocates for the sovereign right of farmers to create and sustain vibrant and prosperous agricultural communities for the benefit of all Hawaii through cooperation, education and legislation. Because HFUU is an agricultural advocacy organization, donations to it are not tax deductible. �21 Adaptations Inc PO Box 1070, Captain Cook, HI 96704 81-940 Halekii St., Kealakekua, HI 96750 maureen.datta@icloud.com www.adaptationsaloh a.com 808-324-6600 tel 808-731-4233 fax April 11, 2025 RE: Support for Nani Kai Hoku Agricultural Easement Aloha Members of the Hawaii County Council, I am writing in strong support of Resolution 125 20, and in particular of the importance of the Nani Kai Hoku Farm agricultural easement. In addition to preserving important ag lands with prime soils, the easement will ensure that important ecological functions are maintained on the farm, such as windbreaks and trees that serve as roosting sites for I'o, Pueo, and the Hawaiian hoary bat. The easement also requires continuous food production to further Hawaii's food security goals. Adaptations Inc. is a certified organic farm since 1979 and regional Food Hub since 1993. Our Food Hub connects about 230 local family farms to Fresh Feast CSA families and wholesale customers across the state. We have known the owner of Nani Kai Hoku Farm, Clarence "Cab" Baber for 30+ years and he was a founding farmer among the original three organic family farms in our network. Agriculture is a tough business in Hawaii and the USDA Census of Agriculture, which was published last year, underscores this with the reported loss of nearly 800 farmers and 90,000 acres of agricultural land in the last five years. Agricultural easements are one of the ways to ensure prime ag lands, like Nani Kai Hoku Farm, is preserved in -perpetuity and will remain in agriculture. It will take a number of strategies for Hawaii to reach its food security goals and the targeted use of agricultural easements is an important one. Clarence's decades of dedication to organic and regenerative farming is sincere. As important is his work to collaborate with and support and uplift other farmers and new farmers. He co- founded several statewide farming organizations to do just this including the Hawaii Culinary Herb Association in the 1980s and in the 1990s, the Hawaii Organic Famers Association and the Hawaii Hemp Council for sustainability reasons (food, fiber, fuel). Clarence currently serves HFUU as Kohala Chapter President and we sit on the state board together. There is no question as to Clarence and Gail's commitment to regenerative agriculture and perpetuating this aina in food production for our community. As stewards of the land wherever they live, their dedication to aina aloha is unsurpassed and genuine. Mahalo, Maureen Datta Adaptations Inc 1111.tiM I January 27. 2024 RE: Support for Agricultural Easement for Nani Kai Hoku Farm I'o Whom It May Concern: The Kohala Food HUB is a mission driven organization focused on growing Hawaii's food symem by providing essential services for farmers and food businesses and increasing community access to fresh local food. We connect our local residents and businesses as well as visitors to the island to fresh. nutrient dense locally grown and made food via multiple channels including our online market, a multi -Farm CSA program, various food programs in partnership with other organizations and agencies, free community food distributions, 'ulu aggregation for Flawaii "Ulu Cooperative, and supplying wholesale accounts ftrr locai resorts and restaurants. We intimately understand the challenges of agriculture in Hawaii and maintaining the viability of a iarm long-term. Agricultural casements that dedicate land in -perpetuity to agriculture are a win -win for I lawaii, ensuring important ag lands are preserved for future farmers while providing an important infusion of funding to Current farmers that supports financial stability and investment back into the farm to expand food production. For 401- years, Clarence Baber has been farming organically In Hawaii. In the 1980s he co-founded the I lawaii Culinary Flerb Association, in the early 1990s he co-founded the Hawaii Organic Farmers; Association and the Hawaii Hemp Council (for sustainability reasons: food, fuel, fiber), and in 20 1 :` lic Nvas a founding member of the board of directors for the Kohala Chapter of the Hawaii Farmers Union. (1arence also launched the first community supported agriculture (CSA) project in the 1980's on Hawaii Island. feeding 50 families per week. Always expanding his knowledge base, Clarence began incorporating regenerative and traditional 1"w-111 I'll'? practices into his organic farm in the '80s. In 1992, the University of Hawaii studied his agricultural methods to better understand how they contributed to high yields per square foot and lower than normal pest challenges. 27 years ago, Clarence began incorporating effective microorganisms and ferments into his farming methods and has been producing a soil probiotic for 25 years. For almost two decades Clarence advocated for hemp as a viable crop for I lawail for building malerlak-', food, and fuel to help move the islands towards greater sustainability. Between 2013 and 2015. he coordinated stakeholders from around the state on behalf of HFUU to help pass hemp legislation and ks,as invited to assist with planting a research crop at the University of Hawaii. Gail has been all active Supporter of agriculture and serves as President of the Hawaii Hemp Farnicrw. Association as well as a board member of the Hawaii Farmers Union Foundation. Gail has VOILIDI.effCd over 8,000 to protect coastal open space on the North Kohala coast; home to the most numerous intact archeological and cultural sites in the state. The Baber's commitment to agriculture is sincere and impactful and this agricultural easement -wdl allo\N them to Continue farming and expand production. Sincerely,/, Maya Parish ry Director, Kohala Food HUB March 2, 2024 Re: Support for Nani Kai Hoku Farm Agricultural Easement - Regional Benefit To Whom It May Concern, Clarence Baber of Nani Kai Hoku Farm has been making and selling a locally made soil probiotic for 27 years as well as a mineral mix and a Super Soil product sourced primarily from on -farm and on -island materials. Hawaii's imported fertilizer costs are often 40% more than on the mainland, while farms typically generate just half of the income of mainland farmers. With supply chain disruptions of the last couple of years, Hawaii farmers were pinched even harder for fertilizers, which often are 20% of a farm's expenses. Locally made, quality soil amendments are critical to the long-term viability and security of Hawaii agriculture. We urge you to fund the Nani Kai Hoku agricultural easement. The Babers have contributed significantly to agriculture in Hawaii over the years and the easement will help this contribution to continue. Sincerely, Dash Kuhr, Executive Director Hawai'i Institute of Pacific Agriculture (HIP Agriculture) Kohala Lihikai P.O. Box 76 Hawi, Hawaii 96719 January 27, 2024 RE: Support for Agricultural Easement for Nani Kai Hoku Farm To Whom It May Concern, Kohala Lihikai is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving land and nearshore environments and to support the sustainable management of these lands. The agricultural easement project for Nani Kai Hoku Farm is consistent with Kohala Lihikai's mission: the farm uses organic and regenerative agricultural methods that restore ecosystem functions that were significantly altered during sugar cane cultivation, including re-establishing a healthy soil microbiome, healthy hydrologic watershed functions, and pollinator habitat, as well as other practices that capture carbon. For 40+ years, Clarence Baber has been farming regeneratively and organically in Hawaii, co- founding the Hawaii Culinary Herb Association in the 1980s, the Hawaii Organic Farmers Association and the Hawaii Hemp Council (for sustainability reasons: food, fuel, fiber) in the early 1990s, and launched the first community supported agriculture (CSA) project in the 1980's on Hawaii Island, feeding 50 families per week. Clarence began integrating traditional farming methods early in his career including planting with moon phases, companion planting, and cultivating native plants for on -site fertilization, etc. His farming methods were studied by the University of Hawaii in the 1990s to understand the high yields per square foot. Gail has been an active supporter of agriculture and serves as President of the Hawaii State Hemp Farmers Association as well as a board member of the Hawaii Farmers Union Foundation. Gail has volunteered over 8,000 hours to protect coastal open space on the North Kohala coast; home to the most numerous intact archeological and cultural sites in the state. Kohala Lihikai supports funding of this easement project. Sincerely, ?o;rhCarvalho President NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER - Providing Local Support, Bridges to Funding & Education for Projects that Benefit the Community 55-3393 Akoni Pule Hwy — P. O. Box 519, Hawi, Hawaii 96719 Phone: 808 889-5523 — Fax: 808 889-5527 ~ www.northkohala.org — Email: info@northkohala.org DIRECTORS Killy Ah Ike Vice President Business Owner - Beth Bohn Secretary SmailBusihenowner CXhrie Brown Retired Kohala Teacher; Kynan Kawai Project Leader Denni Keyes Treasurer Small ausinrss;Qwner Vicky lcomdani President Public Relations Consultant Melanie Matsuda KHS thtr Wendy Nickl Kohala Teacher Nathan Trump General tanager Morgan Davis Sydney Wicrnicki HONOR,AR.Y DRECrORS Alida Adamek Gino Amar Isui Bowman Jessica Brown Joe C:atvalho David Comes Chris Helmuth Boll Martin Dennis Matsuda Kathleen Matsuda Desiree Iledeires Amy Meyer-SU i van Nani Svendsen Kim 'Takata A great way to love Kohala! February 24, 2021 Dr. Wayne Frank, Chair Hawai' i County Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission 25 Aupuni Street, St. 1101 Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Chairman Frank and Commissioners: The North Kohala Community Resource Center (NKCRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with people and organizations of North Kohala to turn their community ideas into well -planned projects that have the potential to succeed. NKCRC supports 80+ projects in North Kohala. The owners of the Nani Kai Hoku Farm have two projects with the North Kohala Community Resource Center. The Baber's projects are Malama Kohala Kahakai and Regenerative Organic and Probiotic Practices Hawaii. Both community -based projects have worked with NKCRC to fund important work in the community including, training for farmers in regenerative practices, workshops on producing ferments and microbes products for farming, field trips to farms around the island to learn from established farmers who have been farming for decades, restoration of former ag lands with native species, involvement of youth in land stewardship, etc. Placing an agricultural easement on Nani Kai Hoku Farm will ensure important farmland stays in production in North Kohala and a long -timer farmer and agricultural advocate is able to continue to farm. We support Nani Kai Hoku Farm's application for an agricultural easement and urge the Commission to prioritize the project. Since sly, Psheugent Co -Director of Operations