2012-10-30 NKCDP Agriculture Subcommittee Notes Minutes

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NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN AGRICULTURE ACTION SUB- COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES DATE: Tuesday, October 30, 2012 TIME: 6:00 PM PLACE: North Kohala I nterGenerational Center, Kamehameha Park CALL TO ORDER: 6:15 PM ATTENDANCE: Frank Cipriani, Margaret Wille. WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS: Reviewed the 09/27 Minutes. REPORTS: OLD BUSINESS; Regarding the Important Ag Lands; Current (IAL) Initiative: Frank Cipriani has 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 and carried -out. Margaret Wille suggested that we try working with the County to see if we can develop a plan and take action on this initiative to preserve North Kohala's Ag lands Perhaps designate all our Ag Lands as potential IALs, and then opt out what parcels are not appropriate. Re: "The Identification of 'Strategically- sited' Agricultural Lands." Regarding the proposal for a "BioEnergy Hub" and evaluating the feasibility of large -scale Marine & Fresh Water Aquaculture Projects at Ho'ea makai; a physical on- site - survey is scheduled with Will Rolston, County of Hawaii Energy Coordinator, Hawaii County Research & Development Agency, and will be conducted tomorrow, November 1. Citrus - juicing Co -op: Issue tabled for the time being. Soil Testing Issues: Jana Bogs is off Island, Issue tabled and on- going. In conjunction with this Issue, Cipriani reported that one of the algaes targeted for development by BioFarms Hawaii is a 'soil - reconditioner'. "A one -inch saturation en -sol (boom sprayer) to tilled sandy -clay soil will break it down into about one - foot /year loam top - soil." (This measure could play into "Beyond Organic" Produce Branding" for North Kohala's Ag Production). Old Business: High School Aquaponics Program: Current Report Cipriani reported that construction of the Aquaponics prototype by the students is well under way and that most of the initial needs requirements for materials have been met for Phase I construction. Support for the ATOLL Program (Aquaculture Technology Qn Line Learning) Scholarships for each individual student has been initiated. Cost of the Program was $100 per copy, however working with Barbara McLaine, ATOLL Administrator, the cost of the scholarship has been reduced to $50 for KHS students.We are personally contacting selected community members to be a sponsor for each designated student. ATOLL will serve as the lab -study for the Aquaponics Program. http : / /videoleaming.uhatoll.com/ "This Program is designed to prepare dedicated students for high - level entry positions into the Aquaculture Industry."