News / Events
Nāu Ke Kuleana - You count, be counted! 2010 Census
March 1, 2010 - May 31, 2010
Contact:
www.Census2010.gov
FDA Seeks Comments - Preventive Controls for Fresh Produce - Docket Now Open
February 25, 2010 - May 24, 2010
Contact:
www.Regulations.gov
Natural Farming with Master Cho
February 25, 2010 - March 5, 2010
Contact:
345-3464 or http://localgarden.us/
Grants & Funding
Organic Certification Cost-Share program - Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA)
Hawaii State Senate OK’s more than $34M for Hawaii Ag projects
Grants Newsletter sign-up at Congresswoman Mazie Hirono's website
USDA: $19 MILLION IN ORGANIC RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION GRANTS
Deadline nears for Farm Bill Program Assistance
Value-Added Producer Grants available for Small Farmers
Whole Foods' Local Producer Loan Program
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Support for Organic Growers
EQIP Organic Home Page
Information at Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF)
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) to provide a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land.
In addition, the 2008 Farm Bill included provisions for use of EQIP to provide opportunities for organic growers as well as requirements related to adherence to National Organic Program (NOP) requirements and new program payment limitations.
Organic Technical and Support Information
NRCS National Bulletin with Guidance for Implementation of the Organic Initiative during Fiscal Year 2009 (NB300-9-20 issued May 18, 2009)
NRCS Organic Technical Support
Links to Organic Agriculture Web Resources
NRCS Technical Service Provider Information
2009 Organic Farming Program Information
The documents below require Adobe Acrobat Reader:
Organic Farming “At a Glance” Fact Sheet (PDF, 52KB)
NRCS Organic Guidance Bulletin for Fiscal Year 2009 (PDF, 212KB)
NRCS Organic State Contacts List (PDF, 21KB)
Organic Certification Cost-Share program - Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA)
USDA Organic Certification Cost-Share Programs
For the Application Form, click here
For the W-9 Form (Tax Form), click here
CONTACT INFO:
Hawai'i Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Development Division
Market Development Branch
1428 South King Street
Honolulu, HI, 96814-2512
Phone: (808) 973-9595
Fax: (808) 973-9590
E-mail: hdoa.md@hawaii.gov
HDOA homepage
Hawaii State Senate OK’s more than $34M for Hawaii Ag projects
Hawaii247.org's Agriculture pages
Direct to the source
Hawaii will receive $34,010,000 for agriculture initiatives this fiscal year including funds to eradicate fruit flies, improve the plight of geographically disadvantaged farmers and expand research, Senate Appropriations Chairman Daniel K. Inouye and Sen. Daniel K. Akaka announced Thursday.
Of special interest to organic producers is this item:
Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center Staffing – $700,000 – Island of Hawaii
This request is for staffing the completed portion of the PBARC laboratory. With the completion of Phase I construction, it is essential that additional funds be provided to PBARC to begin execution of staffing plans for this new laboratory facility. The two priority areas on the staffing plan are a scientist focused on sustainable and organic agriculture; and, a scientist to develop new value added products, especially as they relate to crops that can be used for feeds and that may be used for biofuels.
Grants Newsletter sign-up at Congresswoman Mazie Hirono's website
Receive updates on Grants Information from Congresswoman Hirono by signing up with this easy online form.
USDA: $19 MILLION IN ORGANIC RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION GRANTS
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Announces $19 Million in Organic Research, Education and Extension Grants
Emphasizes importance of 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' Initiative
PORTLAND, Maine, October 30, 2009 - Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced more than $19 million in grants have been awarded to universities across the country to solve critical organic agriculture issues through the integration of research, education and extension projects.
"Organic agriculture is one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture and USDA and Congress, through the 2008 Farm Bill, are committed to helping this industry succeed by addressing critical organic agriculture issues through the integration of research, education and extension projects," Merrigan said. "These grants are an important part of USDA's new 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative, which will help develop local and regional food systems and spur economic opportunity by assisting organic producers with new production and marketing practices to meet rising consumer demand."
Deadline nears for Farm Bill Program Assistance
Applications are being accepted from farmers and ranchers for three different Farm Bill Programs that are administered by the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The three programs include Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP), and Agriculture Management Assistance (AMA). Interested farmers and ranchers have until December 11, 2009 to submit their applications to be considered for this ranking period.
Financial assistance is available through EQIP to agricultural producers who are willing to implement conservation measures which treat the targeted natural resource concerns on their land (including forestry, organic farming, and energy conservation). WHIP provides technical and financial assistance to improve fish and wildlife habitat. Previously, AMA was available in 15 states and Hawaii was just added as a qualifying state. This program addresses water management, erosion control, and integrated pest management.
Applications are accepted year-round for these three programs, however, this ranking cycle ends on December 11, 2009. Previous applications that were not selected/funded in the last ranking cycle will be included for the December 11th deadline. Interested farmers and ranchers are asked to call their local NRCS Field Office for more information. To find the office nearest you, visit www.pia.nrcs.usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.Value-Added Producer Grants available for Small Farmers
NOVEMBER 23, 2009 - NOVEMBER 30, 2009
Contact: USDA Rural Development Value-Added Producer Grants announcement
State of Hawaii, W Pacific, and American Samoa offices pageFarmers who need help marketing their innovative agricultural products or making use of renewable energy can now apply for the 2009 Value-Added Producer Grants through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The deadline to apply is November 30.
This year, the USDA is encouraging applicants to propose projects that “use existing agricultural products in non-traditional ways or merge agricultural products with technology in creative ways,” according to a USDA release. Priority will be given to small- and medium-sized family farms with annual gross sales of less than $700,000. Awards will be up to $100,000 for planning projects and up to $300,000 for capital projects.
Grants may be used for planning activities and for working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy. Eligible applicants are independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, agricultural producer groups, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.
For more information about the program, contact your State Rural Development Office to obtain additional information and assistance.
Hawaii, Western Pacific and American Samoa offices directory information may be found here: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/hi/Contact%20Us.htm
Whole Foods' Local Producer Loan Program
Contact: WFM online