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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0289.003 2024-2026P / Gounc►I 5,180-25 a`ag,tr ooy94 UNIVERSITY ////���,�u ' Vv • College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience of HAVIIAI I Founding College of the University of Hawaii ..��. M.alloa Office of the Dean and Director for Research and Cooperative Extension Testimony Presented Before the �? County Council County of Hawaii, June 4, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. -<: 4 Parwinder Grewal, Dean College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources =r— Res. 180-25 — AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITFP THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I OFFICE OF RESEARCH SERVICES Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi and Members of the Committee: Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Resolution No.180-25 authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the University of Hawaii Office of Research Services to provide $14,805 for the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) to support the development and implementation of the Master Food Volunteer (MFV) Program in Hawaii County. We support Resolution 180-25 with comments. We respectfully offer the amendment to correct the name of the college to University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human [Resources] Resilience (CTAHR). The renaming of the college was approved in October 2024 to better align CTAHR's name to its land-grant mission of improving the human condition and human use of natural resources through research, education and Cooperative Extension. The vision of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (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, create a robust agricultural economy, divert Hawaii's food import market to local producers, and improve knowledge transfer. The MFV program will within one year train a cohort of 10 certified volunteer food system advocates to expand the reach and impact of local food promotion through equitable local food education and access. Outreach includes delivering cooking workshops promoting local food at schools, food distributions, workplaces and other community sites. CTAHR Cooperative Extension appreciates the County of Hawai`i's efforts to build capacity for a resilient food system that is essential to the health and well-being of its agricultural producers and consumers. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support with comments. 3050 Maile Way, Gilmore Hall 202 Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 Phone: (808) 956-8234 E-mail: ctahrdn@hawaii.edu www.ctahr.hawaii.edu An Equal Opportunity Institution Coninn. � q.� Ref. Tc: Ref. D aJe_ .SUN — 4 2025