Re: Farm Bureau & Farm Bill?
Kathleen Delate (kdelate@hawaii.edu)
Fri, 1 Dec 1995 14:30:48 -1000
In response to your query on the role of Farm Bureau and SA, here in
Hawaii the Farm Bureau has taken quite an active role: sponsoring a LISA
grants program and participating in WSAA conferences. Their participation
could stem from the fact that we are a volcanic island state, where SA
practices become more critical in light of our porous water table and
low-fertility soils. Because we are relatively small and very isolated,
farmers must work together on local issues. Also with the decline of the
large plantation agriculture (sugar and pineapple), farmers are hungry
for information on alternative crops and practices. It will be so
refreshing to see all types of farmers in the Farm Bureau sitting down
for a conference on "Transition to Sustainable Agriculture" to be held
this January in Kauai.
Perhaps other Farm Bureau groups in the country have taken notice and
will begin to investigate what SA has to offer. Re. the Farm Bill-I'd ask
your Farm Bureau rep. if they would support credits for SA practices and
are interested in a SA agenda for your state. Keep us posted. Thanks.
Kathleen Delate
SA Training Coordinator
University of Hawaii