Requesting The Department Of Education And The University Of Hawaii At Manoa College Of Tropical Agriculture And Human Resilience To Support The Department Of Education's Secondary Agricultural Education Program And The Future Farmers Of America Program.
Impact
The bill addresses a critical gap in the state's agricultural workforce development, noting significant enrollment declines in agricultural education since 2000. Factors such as the No Child Left Behind Act and local funding cuts have adversely affected these programs. The resolution suggests that the establishment of an extension agent position at the University of Hawaii would facilitate professional development and outreach to schools, thereby enhancing the Agricultural Education Program and aligning it with emerging agricultural initiatives like school gardening and farm-to-school programs.
Summary
HCR77 requests the Department of Education and the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to support the Secondary Agricultural Education Program and the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program. The resolution highlights the importance of bolstering local agricultural education as a response to Hawaii's high dependency on imported food, which exceeds eighty-five percent. It underscores how enhancing these educational programs can help meet the state’s food security goals and revitalize a declining agricultural workforce through strategic investments in education and training opportunities.
Contention
While there is clear consensus on the need to support agricultural education, contention might arise around resource allocation and the practicality of implementing the proposed measures. Some stakeholders may advocate for immediate funding and structural changes to restore previous levels of student engagement in agricultural education, while others might express concerns about prioritizing agricultural programs over other educational needs. The resolution, therefore, emphasizes balancing the state’s food security objectives with the broader educational framework.
Same As
Requesting The Department Of Education And The University Of Hawaii At Manoa College Of Tropical Agriculture And Human Resilience To Support The Department Of Education's Secondary Agricultural Education Program And The Future Farmers Of America Program.
Same As
Requesting The Department Of Education And The University Of Hawaii At Manoa College Of Tropical Agriculture And Human Resilience To Support The Department Of Education's Secondary Agricultural Education Program And The Future Farmers Of America Program.
Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Transfer Active Agricultural Land Leases Under The Jurisdiction Of The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To The Department Of Agriculture To Support Agriculture In The State.
Requesting Hawaii's Congressional Delegation To Petition The United States Department Of Agriculture To Address The Lack Of Parity Between Hawaii And Other States And Territories Pertaining To The Export Of Agricultural Goods.
Requesting The Department Of Agriculture To Convene A Working Group To Develop A Plan To Create An Educational Pathway In The University Of Hawaii Community College System To Equip Interested Students With The Necessary Entry Level Knowledge, Skill Set, Expertise, And Advancement Potential In The Field Of Meat Processing.