USDA Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections

The USDA FSA County Committee system gives farmers and ranchers a much needed say in how federal actions affect their communities and individual operations.  County Committees have been around since the 1930’s when Congress set up a system by which federal farm programs would be administered locally.  The County Committee members are nominated and elected by local producers who are eligible to participate in FSA programs.  Once elected, they will make important decisions about how FSA programs will be carried out in their respective counties.  They serve as a direct link between their farming community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The nomination process has begun and will end on August 1, 2012.  It is important to our agency that all producers, particularly minority, female and other under-represented groups, have an equal opportunity to be candidates for the County Committees.

Below are electronic links to fact sheets that will answer many questions about the nomination and election process.

·         USDA Fact Sheet regarding County Committee Elections  http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/fsa_cocelec_2012.pdf

·         USDA Fact Sheet regarding eligibility requirements to vote and/or hold office  http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/coc_eligib_2012.pdf

·         Each county is divided into three Local Administrative Areas (LAAs) in order to assure that producers get fair representation throughout the county.  Each committee member serves a staggered term, thus each year, committee elections are held in only one of the three LAAs. For a description of the LAA holding elections this year (2012) in each county contact the County Offices at the telephone numbers below.

·         Nomination Form  http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eForms/FSA669-A.PDF

If you have any questions about County Committees or the County Committee election process, please call one of our County Offices at:  Honolulu 483-8600 ext. 2; Maui 871-5500, ext. 2; Kauai 245-9014, ext. 2; Hawaii 933-8381, ext. 8340; Guam 472-7568 or the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands 236-0896.

Hawaii Pacific Basin USDA/FSA Newsletter - May 2012

May 2012 Newsletter articles include:
-Maui County Designated Drought Disaster Area
-Emergency Loan Application Process begins on Kauai
-2010 SURE sign up deadline
-Farm Loan Programs
-And many more articles, photos & information

http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/15001201205_01.pdf

Grower Inspired Field Day: Waialua Oahu

Ramiscal Farms
68-369 Olohio Street
Waialua, Oahu
April 30, 2012
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Join LIFE and Risk Management Hawaii in a ‘grower inspired’ field day on April 30, 2012 at 10:00 am. Project collaborators, Andres Saguibo and Eulogio Ramiscal will be hosting a field day to demonstrate the use of aquaponics in cultivating leafy greens and various vegetable crops using this new and innovative system. Learn first hand about the growing pains and opportunities involved in starting and maintaining a small scale aquaponics unit in Waialua, Oahu.

LIFE partners, Dr. Clyde Tamaru and / or Cathy Montgomery Hopkins, CTAHR Aquaculture and Aquponics specialists will be on hand to talk about the fundamentals behind aquaponics and the integration of fish into vegetable production. Dr. Ted Radovich and/ or Jensen Uyeda from the Sustainable and Organic Agriculture program will share how aquaponics fits into sustainable agriculture systems. Jason Shitanishi of the USDA FSA will be available to talk about the various USDA programs available. Melissa Motosue of the USDA FSA will talk about low interest farm loans. Team LIFE and RMH will share strategies for managing risk in Hawaii Agriculture . Agent Jari Sugano will talk with growers about ways to heighten food safety in handling produce grown in aquaponics systems. Come join us for an morning filled with fish, vegetables, collaborative partnerships, and fun.

Please contact Lynn at the Wahiawa Extension Office to reserve your spot and for last minute changes at 622-4185 or via email at wahiawa@ctahr.hawaii.edu

DIRECTIONS TO RAMISCAL FARMS: WAIALUA, OAHU

Take Farrington Highway in Waialua, you will pass in front of Waialua High School. Continue west toward Mokuleia about a mile and a half to two miles, the first right will be Olohio St. Enter Olohio about 150 to 200 yards and 68-369 will be on the left, enter driveway that has coconut trees on both sides of entrance. If parking lot is full you may park along Olohio St.

Open to everyone without regard to race, age, sex, color or disability. Educational activities are accessible for individuals with disabilities. For information or to request an auxiliary aid or service (e.g., sign language interpreter, designated parking, or materials in alternate format), contact Lynn Bessara @ (808) 622-4185 seven days before the activity/event.

PIctures of LIFE

Fish Spawning Workshop with Drs. Clyde Tamaru and Kai Fox (LIFE partners with CTAHR Aquaponic and Aquaculture Program)

Spreading the fertilized eggs

 Papaya Black Spot Field Day: Multi Agency Field Day

Addressing Ag theft/Vandalishm with presentation by Hawaii County Police

Show and Tell trials: Importance of Surfactant as part of BMP

Hands -on Teaching Approach: Spreader / Sticker demonstration workshop 

 Team Ti Leaf: Farm Doctor at Kahaluu Farm (LIFE partners with CTAHR IR-4 program & Spray Coverage Program for assistance with application, registration and spray coverage issues)

 Dole Pineapple Packing Plant

 

 Waialua Coffee

 Hydroponic via Bucket Culture

 Organic Insecticide Spray Demonstration

 Oahu RC&D Field Day Presentations (Dr .Clyde Tamaru of CTAHr Aquaponic/Aquaculture Program in background)

Adoption of fruit fly program: Pumpkin Success

Yellow trap modifications: Spray sites for GF-120 when growers can not implement trap crop system

Classic TYLCV symptoms

Field evaluations of TYLCV and TSW resistant varieties

Detection of new virus: Pepper Mottle Virus

 Tomato Field Days in collaboration with Dr. Mike Melzer, CTAHR virologist, Dr. Ted Radovich & Jensen Uyeda of CTAHR Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program

Hands-on Aquaponic Field Day with construction by Dr. Clyde Tamaru, Dr. Kai Fox and Jensen Uyeda

Farm Doctor:  Detection of White Peach Scale on Oahu

 Rooting Papaya side shoots in aquaponic ebb and flow system

 USDA Immigrant Farmer Workshop in collaboration with Jason Shitanishi of USDA FSA

 Farm Doctor: Detection and Solutions to managing Pythium in Aquaponic systems

 Jaboticava

Lady bug release in field trial to manage aphid populations organically

New Market Potential: Tea Leaf work starts on Oahu

State Capitol Presentation: Market Study with LIFE partner Dr. Stuart Nakamoto,  Randy Hamasaki, and Didi Diaz-Lyke

 

Launching a New Market: Hawaii Grown Tea/Blueberries

 

 New Market Initiative: Mushroom Culture

Lettuce Grown for Seeds

 Farm Doctor: Mite problem on Taro

Farm Doctor: New Thrip on Papaya

CBB Workshop at the Pahala Community Center with LIFE collaborator Dr. Elsie Burbano 

 Teaming up with Didi Diaz-Lyke of Risk Management Hawaii to conduct Risk Management and Crop Insurance Education

Marketing Workshops in Kau with Matthew Loke of HDOA