SB 2723 Summary

• Appropriates funds for the GoFarm Hawaii program to provide business consulting, technical assistance, and beginning farmer training on at least four islands for fiscal year 2020-2021.

• Requires GoFarm Hawaii to submit annual reports to the board of agriculture's chairperson on program goals, and semi-annual reports on program outputs and outcomes.

• Establishes a five-year beginning farmer training program administered by the University of Hawaii West Oahu sustainable community food systems program in conjunction with qualified farmer training providers.

• Appropriates $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2020-2021 to establish and implement the beginning farmer training program, covering administration costs, staff salaries, and contractor expenses.

• Limits individual contracts with farmer training providers to $100,000 per year and $300,000 per provider over any five-year period; program repeals June 30, 2025.