WORKSHOP SCHEDULED FOR IMMIGRANT FARMERS

HONOLULU, HI, August 19,2011 --The University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources’, Cooperative Extension Service through its Local Immigrant Farmer Education (LIFE) Program is sponsoring an Immigrant Farmer Workshop at the Hawaii Agricultural Research Center in Kunia on Saturday, August 20, 2011 from 2:00 pm through 6:00 pm.

This workshop is open to all agricultural producers, and we expect a rather large audience this year due to the new ag park lease opportunities in Kunia, and the Federal Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment (RTCP) program through the Farm Service Agency. RTCP is a wide open program, which provides monetary benefits to agricultural producers outside of the continental U.S. to offset the high cost of transportation.

Thirteen agency representatives will provide a brief presentation on the programs/services/opportunities available for local agricultural producers. UH representatives will discuss the Cooperative Extension Service and Sustainable & Organic Farming Systems Lab. State agencies will cover pesticide safety, agricultural loans, honey & apiary programs, and the state agriculture parks program.

Federal agencies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture include Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Angel Figueroa, the new Director for NRCS, responsible for the Pacific Islands Area will also be available at this event.

Other presenters include Trust for Public Land, Hawaii Agricultural Foundation, Oahu Resource Conservation & Development, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation. For more details about the workshop, please contact Jason Shitanishi of the Farm Service Agency at 483-8600 ext. 104.

USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

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