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HomeMy WebLinkAbout201406-18 NKCDP Agriculture Subcommittee Meeting Notes Minutes NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN AGRICULTURE ACTION SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES DATE: Wednesday, JUNE 18, 2014 :00 PM TIME: 5 North Kohala Senior Center PLACE: Chair Frank Cipriani, April Lee, Daniel Trumpy, Orion Orellana, Peter DeVries, ATTENDING: John Winter Welcome and Introductions: New Board Members: Orion Orellana, Daniel Trumpy, Peter DeVries. CALL TO ORDER: 5:15 Agriculture Updates/Reports: Important Agricultural Land (IAL) Initiative – designation of IAL project (Strategy 1.8 NKCDP). Daniel Trumpy of Kohala Organic Produce signed his Petition for Voluntary IAL assisted by David Hirt, District 9 County Office. Trumpy expressed concern that there is not enough media attention for the IAL Initiative. Suggested that a document be circulated, defining all the benefits to ag landowners designating their lands as IALs. Cipriani replied; that documents titled:'Characteristics of IAL',(Act 183 2005; HB#1640, and; 'Incentives to Landowners' (Act 233 2008; SB#2646) an IAL File was attached to the May electronic Report to all Contacts in the AG-Action list. An article in KMN was suggested to further inform Ag- landowners. Strategically sited agricultural lands – HOEA project update (Strategy 1.4 NKCDP). Cipriani Reported that to date, 'Iole, Kohala Organic Produce, Dan Jelks Aquaculture have been identified as “ Farm, qnd Ho'ea Makai (DLNR),Strategic AG-Sites.” Cipriani said that another strategic site has been identified: a 485 acre Ag-dedicated now in Bankruptcy Court and on the market for $3.5M. This parcel: TMK#3-5-2-5-1, Makapala-Makanikahio subdivision is nestled between Waipunalau Gulch to the west and the Waikama Gulch to the east; bounded by the Kohala Ditch on a portion of the lower (north) side and the Kohala Forest Preserve on the upper (south) side. Water features include a pond, spring, Kohala ditch, waterfalls in the gulches and streams, Rainfall in this area adequate for catchment water for Agriculture and Farm Dwellings. A catchment pond was constructed to support cattle ranching/grazing. Cipriani requests that a letter be written to DOA urging the State to make a “Legacy Purchase” to preserve this Important Agricultural Land. K-12 Agricultural educational programs – High School programs and Aquaponics Project – (Strategy 1.5 NKCDP) . Cipriani reported that KHS Aquaculture is on-going, with a new Assistant, , Orion Orellana and a Summer Program is being offered to continuing KHS students and to Middle School in- th coming 9 graders participating in the Century 21 Summer session at KHS. An Aquaculture Orientation class and Field Trip to a fish farm is scheduled Fall enrollment in Aquaculture is being implemented at KHS The newly formed “AG-Education Committee” held the first meeting of this group, and met on June 6, 2:00 pm at the Kam Park Intergenerational Center. The meeting organizational in nature. The separate entities will network and report on new developments within their individual groups. NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN AGRICULTURE ACTION SUB-COMMITTEE Wednesday, JUNE 18, 2014 (Page 2) Cipriani reported that he has received the Micro-grant for Dr. Jana Bogs to conduct a soil- testing and conditioning treatment at the KHS Test-garden. Sustainable Ag-Water Development: It was suggested that a letter be written to the Department of Water Supply for more/improved distribution lines from Kohala ditch; (possibly a subcommittee on Parks, Water, and Roads matter). Look for funding for mauka to makai distribution lines to “strategic Ag-sites.” Diversified agriculture – Food Security (Strategy 1.4 NKCDP) April Lee and Gale Perez will gather information on local small farm production and report back to the committee. Cipriani stated (once again); that to achieve the goal of 50% food security by 2020, large-scale Diversified AG clusters must be developed at 'strategic sites' immediately. NKCDP AG-ACTION Sub-committee Meetings will be held on the third Wednesdays, 5:00 pm, at the Kohala Seniors Center. The next meeting will be held on July 16..... E Komo Mai.