HI SB3197

Establishes the farmer apprentice mentoring program to be administered by the Department of Agriculture to support former mentors in training apprentices.

Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to contract with qualified farmer mentorship providers on a first-come, first-served basis to implement the program.

Requires mentorship providers to make all training materials, sites, and facilities available for inspection by the Department of Agriculture during regular business hours.

Mandates the Department of Agriculture submit annual reports to the legislature no later than twenty days before each regular session, including enrollment numbers, provider listings, provider assessments, and program results.

Appropriates $300,000 from general revenues for fiscal year 2022-2023 to establish and implement the program, with funds to provide mentoring on a whole farm system approach to agriculture.