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Murashige, Laura
From: David, Maile
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2015 8:26 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Fwd: Funding
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Laura. Here's another testimony that was sent directly to me. Please process. Mahalo Nui!�
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Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
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From: Fay Allison <fayallison@gmail.com>
Date: July 21, 2015 at 9:24:49 AM HST
To: <maile.david@hawaiicounty.gov>
Subject: Funding
It has been brought to my attention that on July 24th you will be approving the funding for our
six Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Please do not hesitate to approve this funding. Our
local SWCD, the Kona SWCD, has helped me understand the natural ecosystems that work for the
benefit of my farm. Example, applying mulch and mimicking the leaf litter that originally
developed the soil l grow things in. 1 learned that without regular organic matter inputs my soil
can simply disappear.
The Kona SWCD has been actively working toward a reasonable solution to our pig
problems, which are significant and can be a factor in our ability to produce enough food to feed
ourselves. The Kona SWCD also produces an excellent newsletter that is used to educate farmers
and ranchers on different methods of doing things, like the methods used to provide stock
water. Their newsletter also teaches us about the history of Kona through it "History's Corner"
column. Who knew Kainaliu was regularly under afoot of water? Anyone reading the Kona
SWCD newsletter, Resource Kona, would know. This newsletter even informs its readers about
the uniqueness and contributions of our native wildlife.
The mapping services provided by the SWCDs is a great benefit to farmers and ranchers as
well. We are able to organize our resource development and resource preservation work by field
or orchard and track the work more closely. Having the maps makes me more organized as to
where I need to focus my efforts on my farm.
In short, by providing the funding for SWCDs, the County Council can demonstrate they truly do
value the agricultural community, what we provide, and those who work toward improving it for
all our farmers, ranchers and residents.
Aloha,
Fay Allison
Aloha,
Fay--- --- - --
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