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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-26 NKCDP Agricultural Subcommittee Meeting Notes Minutes NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN AGRICULTURE ACTION SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES DATE: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 TIME: 6:00 PM PLACE: North Kohala InterGenerational Center, Kamehameha Park CALL TO ORDER: 6:00PM ATTENDING: Chair Frank Cipriani, Jana Bogs, David Fuertes ACTIVITY: The Meeting was spent bringing David Fuertes up to date on the various Issues being addressed by the Ag Subcommittee. Jana Bogs presented her “Beyond Organic Growing System” (BOGS) Poster in detail. Cipriani presented his Proposal for a “BioEnergy Hub” at Ho'ea makai. REPORTS: Strategy 1.4: Promote & Support a Community of Diversified Agriculture. (Goal: Produce 50% of the Food consumed in North Kohala) Strategy 1.7: Regarding the Important Ag Lands; Current (IAL) Initiative. There has been one request for IAL information from 'Iole, IAL Info sent. Ways & Means of disseminating IAL information to Ag Landowners is on-going. Strategy 1.4 & 1.7: “The Identification of 'Strategically-sited' Agricultural Lands.” A physical survey of the 52 acre DLNR land at Hoea was conducted on November 1, to determine feasibility of the BioEnergy Hub Proposal made by BioFarms Hawaii. Present were William Rolston, West Hawaii County R&D Energy, Dr. Jana Bogs, CSO BFH LLC, and Frank Cipriani, BFH LLC. It was agreed that the strategically located site shows promise for a Mariculture Project and Alternative Energy Cluster; (WEC, WtE, PV, Wind), with the potential of developing a “smart-grid” in cooperation with the Kohala Wind Farm. Planning is on-going. BioFarms Hawaii LLC is seeking a lease agreement with DLNR for a Project at this Site. Strategy 1.4 & 1.5: Soil Testing Issues: Cipriani reported that he has submitted a 'Sustainable Kohala Micro Grant Application' to Test & Demonstrate the “Beyond Organic Growing System” (BOGS) at the Test-garden at Kohala High School. Dr. Bogs will conduct: a soil analysis, provide soil amendments, and plant tissue analysis at harvest, continuing over an approximate three month period. Strategy 1.4 & 1.5: Promote Agricultural Education in the Community. High School Aquaponics Program: Current Report Phase I Aquaponics System construction is completed. ATOLL Program in place. Tilapia have been stocked in the Lab Aquaponic System. A work order is in to install electricity to the Greenhouse, at which time we will start-up the Aquaponics System and begin growing veggies for the Cafeteria. Fund raising for the Aquaculture Program is on-going. Strategy 1.4 & 1.5: GMO Issue. Cipriani presented a research paper conducted by a French Scientific Group, on the adverse effects of GMO feed consumption in lab animals. Dr. Bogs presented a written, illustrated Testimony paper she sent to the Hawai'i Legislature advocating the labeling of GMO Food Products. Dr. Bogs journeyed to Honolulu in November, where she testified in support of GMO Labeling before the Honolulu City Council and attendees of the meeting. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are “foods” which have been genetically engineered and patented by large corporations. Over 20 people testified to the dangers of GMOs, the right to know what is in our foods, and to have GMO labeling on foods. Not one person testified for “not labeling GMOs”. However, the proposal to push forward with labeling was defeated, with only two members of the council supporting labeling. Strategy 1.7: Sustainable AG-Water Development: Wells, Reservoirs. Cipriani reported that: according to DLNR Commission on Water Resources Management, no permits are required for well test bores. He has compiled a list of major local Well Drilling Companies having a Drillers License (C-57) and Pump License (C-57a).Seeking guidance from the County to initiate a development plan for sustainable Ag water at strategically identified IALs. Discussion & Conclusion: It was concluded that many of the goals of the NKCDP AG-Action Subcommittee co-inside with the objectives of David's Committees. It was agreed that we should pool our resources and energy toward our common interests to benefit our Community. Planning to achieve this end is on-going. We look forward to taking together! action There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm. The next AG-Action Subcommittee Meeting will be held on March 26, 2013.