HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-25 NKCDP Agriculture Subcommittee Notes Minutes
NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
AGRICULTURE ACTION SUB-COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
DATE: Tuesday, September 25, 2012
TIME: 6:00 PM
PLACE: North Kohala InterGenerational Center, Kamehameha Park
AGENDA:
CALL TO ORDER: 6:15 PM
ATTENDANCE: Frank Cipriani, Jana Bogs, Margaret Wille, Lisa Andrews, Sarah Perez, Gail
Perez
WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS:
Reviewed the 08/21 Minutes.
REPORTS: OLD BUSINESS; Regarding the Important Ag Lands; Current (IAL) Initiative:
Frank Cipriani reported that Electronic copies of this information may be obtained by e-mailing
frankcipriani@biofarmshawaii.com with IAL in the subject line. This information was
published in the August issue of Kohala Mountain News. There have been no requests by
landowners to date. Recommended that other ways & means of dissemination be considered.
Re: The Identification of 'Strategically-sited' Agricultural Lands.
Regarding the proposal for a BioEnergy Hub and large-scale Marine Aquaculture Project at
Ho'ea makai; a physical on-site-survey to be scheduled with the cooperation of Hawaii County
Research & Development Agency will be conducted in October.
Citrus-juicing Co-op:
Cipriani reported he had notified the Seniors at their last meeting to see if there is interest in a
program for donating all or a part of their citrus crop to Kohala High School. Cipriani
suggested the students could schedule the harvests with the Seniors when the crops are
ready, and with the advent of NKHS's new certified kitchen, fresh-squeezed orange juice in
the school cafeterias and for the Seniors, would be a good start for the citrus initiative.
There has been no response from the Seniors a yet. It was agreed to keep the issue active.
Soil Testing Issues:
Cipriani proposed that the subcommittee make a list of farmers who would benefit from Jana
Bogs methods and provide them with information and resource. Lisa Andrews suggested that
her husband could help with contacting our local farmers. Sarah Perez asked Jana for
information on her methods of soil re-conditioning to which Jana responded in detail.
Further discussion regarding David Rotstein's suggestion of a plan to share garden
equipment and help Seniors and Families wanting to put in a home garden but not having the
means to do so. We agreed to persue ways & means of implementing a Program.
New Business: High School Aquaponics Program:
Cipriani reported that construction of the Aquaponics prototype by the students has commenced and
that most of the initial needs requirements for materials have been met for Phase I construction.
We're seeking sponsor-support for the ATOLL Program (Aquaculture Technology On Line Learning)
Scholarships for each individual student. Cost of the Program is $100 per copy. We will contact our
civic organizations and businesses to sponsor a copy for each individual student. ATOLL will serve as
the lab-study for the Aquaponics Program.
Poster Presentations for September 12 NKCDP Meeting:
The Posters that were presented on 12 September by Margaret Wille and Adriel Robataille were
brought to this meeting for discussion. It was agreed to present them at the Country Fair, along with a
list of needfull things.
Further Discussions:
Lisa Andrews expressed her concerns regarding the GMO feed-corn being grown on the Hamakua
coast. She asked that we investigate the issue.
NKCDP Agriculture Subcommittee meetings are held the last Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm at the
Intergenerational Center. Anyone who is seriously interested in promoting agriculture in North Kohala
is urged to attend and contribute.
There being no further business, meeting was adjourned at 7:45 pm.