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MEDIA RELEASE Hawaii Community College has announced it will offer the popular “Business Plan Development Training for Farmers” course in Hilo and Pahoa. This 84-hour course provides a comprehensive program discussing agriculture business plan development and how to succeed as a farmer on Hawaii Island. The course encompasses 21 hands-on lectures and useful business planning […]

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New laws focus on emergency management, energy, agriculture, criminal justice

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MEDIA RELEASE On Jan. 1, the county Department of Finance will begin additional review of all taxpayers who claim property tax discounts through the Non-Dedicated Agricultural Use Program. During the final weeks in December, the Finance Department is encouraging any taxpayers who believe they may be claiming that agricultural use discount in error to participate […]

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MEDIA RELEASE An agricultural talk-story session with Council Member Greggor Ilagan is slated for 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23 at Pahoa Community Center.

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MEDIA RELEASE Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed seven bills related to agriculture, a central component of the state’s economic and environmental sustainability. “Part of Hawaii’s history and way of life, our agriculture industry keeps money in the local economy and supports thriving rural communities,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “These bills are important to combat harmful pests […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Hawaii Community College is offering new agriculture classes designed for people with a wide range of horticultural interests and goals. Whether you want to develop an agriculture business, gain the knowledge needed to offset your monthly food bill, or simply grow your gardening skills, the noncredit classes will be practical and enriching, Hawaii […]

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MEDIA RELEASE More than 60 people gathered March 22 at the Pahoa Community Center for an agricultural talk-story session. The Interim Dean of the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management (CAFNRM), Dr. Bruce Matthews, industry experts from the Hawaii Island Papaya Association, and County Council Member Greggor Ilagan […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultutral Statistics Service (NASS) will mail the 2013 Census of Agriculture in mid-December. If you receive an Ag Census form, please complete and return it by the Feb. 4, 2013 deadline. Producers can easily and securely respond online after receiving their census form at www.agcensus.usda.gov For questions […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The Kona County Farm Bureau is hosting a candidate forum 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16 at the Christ Church Episcopal Meeting Hall, in Kealakekua. The topic will be “All About Agriculture.” Candidates seeking legislative office, both state and county, to represent West Hawaii will be asked to respond to questions ranging from economic […]

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Hawaii blossoms featured at world’s largest indoor flower show in Philadelphia

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MEDIA RELEASE In an effort to better market Hawaii commodities to foreign and domestic markets, three statewide agriculture associations have founded the non-profit Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council (SHAC). The three founding associations — the Hawaii Papaya Industry Association (HPIA), the Hawaii Coffee Association, (HCA), and the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association (HFNA) — represent 543 […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The state Department of Agriculture’s Apiary Program is hosting a bee specialist from Florida who will give a series of free public talks in Kona, Hilo, Lihue and Honolulu beginning next week. The meetings will feature Dr. Jamie Ellis, apiculture extension specialist with the University of Florida, who has worked with small hive […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan has announced the USDA has selected 298 recipients in 44 states and Puerto Rico to receive business development assistance through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. Merrigan made the announcement in Chicago after keynoting the “Local/Regional Food System Conference” hosted at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Hawaii […]

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Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of more than $13 million for various Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) that invest in Hawai’i’s local agriculture industry and upgrade the state’s water irrigation infrastructure. “The priority projects being funded will greatly support and expand agriculture in Hawai’i,” said Russell S. Kokubun, chairperson of the Hawai’i Board of […]

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