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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1127.004 2016-2018 PICAIncI Cow. 1121 ,,;.04107:tif �\ y¢y t rat j: u P.O. Box 253, Kunia, Hawai'i 96759 Phone: (808) 848-2074; Fax: (808) 848-1921 e-mail info@hfbf.org; www.hfbf.org o:c-� October 17, 2018 -4 Os © < HEARING BEFORE THE Hca COUNTY OF HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL - > ›x TESTIMONY ON RESOLUTION 728 Aloha Council Chair Poindexter, and Honorable Members of the Hawaii County Council: I am Randy Cabral, President of the Hawaii Farm Bureau (HFB). Organized since 1948, the HFB is comprised of 1,900 farm family members statewide, and serves as Hawaii's voice of agriculture to protect, advocate and advance the social, economic and educational interests of our diverse agricultural community. The Hawaii Farm Bureau strongly supports Resolution 728, which encourages our Hawaii Congressional Delegation and the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (USDA-FSA) to work collectively to lift the cap on the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program for Hawaii Island Agriculture. From the Kilauea volcanic activity alone, the Puna district suffered an estimated $20 million in farm damages, destroying more than 500 acres of farm land. The papaya, orchid, nursery and other ag operations were severely impacted. While Puna faced the brunt of the damage, farms on other parts of the island were affected by sulfur dioxide emissions and volcanic ash, resulting in an additional $4 million in estimated damages. Although our farmers have access to federal funding assistance of up to $125,000 through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), it is not enough. HFB strongly supports Resolution 728, which urges our Hawaii U.S. Delegation to collaboratively work with the USDA- FSA to lift the cap on NAP for Hawaii Island Agriculture. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony on this measure. Comm. No. 121.4 Ref.To:P flU Ref. Date 7 limn