HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0366.004 2014-2016P/ Could C -EL
RES. 21b-15
Murashiae. Laura ����'''� �y� tU N\ AV�144' ebb
I,UUI-' i . --
From: JEFF MCCONNEL <jeffmcconnel@usa.net> I h" 19
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2015 6:26 AM 2oi� JUL
To: Council Testimony
Subject: funding
Aloha County Council,
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 I grow things in. I 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 a foot 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,
Jeff McConnel, Rancher, Kealakekua
Comm. No. 3 L& I `f
Ref. To: e' -Op' "
Qpf. Date JUL 2 4 701-