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Home My WebLink AboutRES 487 Draft 01 2024-2026COUNTY OF HAWAI`I STATE OF HAWAI`I RESOLUTION NO. 487 26 A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING/APPROPRIATING AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITING SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE SHAC FOUNDATION FOR `ULU AGROFORESTRY PRODUCER EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT. WHEREAS, the SHAC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the growth of Hawaii agriculture, agribusinesses, and skilled labor development through grant servicing and technical expertise; and WHEREAS, the SHAC Foundation is requesting funds for expenses relating to personnel, host site fees, event catering, educational materials, processing fees for soil sample analysis, and administrative and overhead expenses, which will serve a public purpose by benefiting, improving, or promoting the interests of educational concerns; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I that, in accordance with section 2-139(a)(2)(C) of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), Contingency Relief funds from Council District 1 are hereby transferred to the Department of Research and Development to provide a grant to the SHAC Foundation for the expenses and purposes identified in "Exhibit A," a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, in the following amount as set forth below: FUND: General AMOUNT OF APPROPRIATION: $5,000 OUT AND FROM: 1010-11-10191 Clerk-CouncilSVC— Contingency Relief $5,000 CREDITED TO 1010-11-16122 Department of Research and Development $5,000 Agriculture R&D OCE 530115 Misc. Contract Services (SHAC Foundation — `Ulu Agroforestry Producer Education and Technical Support) BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Director of Research and Development and Director of Finance, and that the Director of Finance is hereby authorized to make the necessary transfers in accordance with the terms of this resolution. Dated at Kona Hawai'i, this 18th day of March 120 26. INTRODUCED BY: COUNCIL MEMBER , COUNTY OF HAWAI'l COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawaii Hilo, Hawaii I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLU'fI0N was by the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the County of llawai'j on March 18,2926 — ATTEST: JC D LE CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER ROLL CALL VOTE AYES NOES ABS EX GALIMBA x HUSTACE x INABA x KAGIWADA x KANEALVI -KLEIN FELDER x KIFRKIEWICZ x KIMBALL x ONISFII x VILLEGAS x 8 0 1 0 Reference: C-768/Council RESOLUTION NO. W Project Information * 39. Project Title EXHIBIT A 'Ulu Agroforestry Producer Education and Technical Support 40. Project Start Date 03/30/2026 41. Project End Date 06/30/2026 42. Please select all areas of Hawaii Island where the project will be administered, delivered, and implemented. Hamakua Puna South Kona 43. Please select the district of the Council Member from which you would like to apply for Contingency Relief Funds. Council District 1 *44. In 2,000 characters or less, describe the project. The HawaPi'Ulu Cooperative's (HUC) Membership Department serves as a bridge between Hawaii farmers and the cooperative, and as a connector among'ulu agroforestry producers across Hawari. Federal United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding cuts in 2025 eliminated nearly $1 million in funds over the next three years that had been dedicated to supporting Hawari's'ulu agroforestry producers through technical support, educational workshops, one-on-one farmer consultations, and regional producer meetings to build engagement and community at the local level. Requested funds will help fill the gap left by federal cuts, resulting from the termination of two USDA programs —Climate Smart Commodities and Regional Food Business Center —by providing resources to deploy at the district level. These funds will support strategic facilitation at regional farmer meetings, alongside targeted education and technical support, to strengthen farmers' production capacity. Collectively, these activities will help strengthen and scale the local agricultural economy. The activities supported by these funds include regional farmer meetings and ongoing educational outreach, described below. Regional Meeting: Each year, the cooperative hosts in -person farmer meetings at different agroforestry sites in select regions across the state to bring together farmers (both co-op members and non-member producers) and staff. These meetings provide opportunities to understand farmers' needs .and challenges specific to the area, share best practices and updates, engage growers, and foster relationship -building within the district's agriculture community. Lessons learned at these meetings, whether through formal surveys or informal discussions, also guide the cooperative's plans for supporting'ulu farmers in the region. Education: Throughout the year, the HUC Membership Department develops educational resources to support'ulu production, food safety, and sustainable farming in Hawari. *45. 501(c)(3) Mission Statement The SHAC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to support the growth of Hawari agriculture, agribusinesses, and skilled labor development through grant servicing and technical expertise. The project team includes four experienced staff and board members with deep roots in Hawari agriculture and business management, bringing complementary expertise in grant administration, program management, financial oversight, and agribusiness industry operations. * 46. In 1,000 characters or less, explain how the 501(c)(3) is connected to the project. By funding the proposed project, the County of Hawari is investing in a proven model of integrated agricultural development that centers farmers as changemakers in rebuilding HawalTs food system. Through regional meetings, education, and technical support, SHAC and HUC will partner to build capacity in the local farming workforce and strengthen civic engagement and cooperative ownership, driving forward place -based, community -driven solutions that foster economic and environmental resilience. *47. Please upload a completed CRF Grant Budget Form. CRF Budget Form.xlsx Public Purpose of Requested Funds Per §2-138 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), the County may grant an award only if the proposed program or service provides direct public benefits and fulfills a public purpose within the County. 48. According to §2-136, "public purpose" is defined as a benefit to, improvement of, or promotion of the interests in the following areas. Please select all the public benefits to be derived from your County fund request: Educational concerns 49. In 2,000 characters or less, describe the measurable outcomes you aim to achieve with these funds. During staff visits, farmers can share any challenges or production concerns on their farms. Staff conducts a standardized survey to gather production data on environment, management, pests, tree health, and productivity to identify trends across the membership and inform agronomic best practices for'ulu production in Hawaii. This data is also shared with the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to analyze macroagronomic trends, inform research projects and funding requests, and better support the industry over time. As part of technical support services, the cooperative offers subsidized soil and tissue sampling twice per year, along with interpretation of the results and recommendations to help farmers make informed decisions on nutrient management. For the current year, the goal is to provide targeted support by visiting medium producers and high -producing members of the district, helping them scale operations and become economically viable. Contingency Relief Fund Budget Form Organization Name: SHAC Foundation Project Name: 'Ulu Agroforestry Producer Education and Technical Support Other CashSources Expense Description CRF Grant Total Expense Expense Justification Produce educational materials on'ulu agroforestry economics and co-op's Production and Safety Standards Policy, recently updated under the Food Personnel (2 employees, $30/hour, 125 $ 3750.00 $ $ 3 Safety Modernization Act's (FSMA) Produce Safety hours) ,,750.00 Rule. Staff will also visit farms to provide technical assistance, survey FSMA compliance needs, and collect soil/tissue samples to inform nutrient management plans, strengthening local agriculture. Supports host site and catering needs for regional farmer meetings, including dietary Host Site Fees and Event Catering $ 300.00 $ $ 300.00 accommodations, to facilitate educational and technical support for the local agricultural community. Development and distribution of workshop Educational Materials $ 200.00 $ $ 200.00 materials and informational handouts for members • to share best practices and support'ulu agroforestry producers. Laboratory analysis supports farmers' nutrient Processing Fees for Soil Sample Analysis $ 300.00 $ $ 300.00 management decisions and'ulu tree health. Soil sampling is primarily conducted in April ($30/self- led sample, $50/staff-collected sample). Admin/Overhead Expenses - Max. 10% of request: Administrative and Overhead Expenses $ 450.00 $ $ 450.00 Supports fiscal sponsor fee, grant administration, reporting duties, and work time. EXPENSES TOTAL $ 5,000.00 $ - $ 5,000.00