HI HR71

Hawaii imports more than 85% of its food, creating significant food security vulnerability that requires expanding agricultural education and workforce development.

The Department of Education's Secondary Agricultural Education Program (now Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Program) and Future Farmers of America have operated since 1930 to develop Hawaii's agricultural workforce.

Program enrollment declined after 2000 from over 30 high schools and 800+ FFA members due to No Child Left Behind policy shifts, loss of science credit for agriculture courses, Weighted Student Formula funding cuts, and closure of UH Manoa's agricultural teacher degree program.

The resolution requests the Department of Education and UH Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to support these programs, including employing an extension agent to provide professional development and agricultural best practices to schools.

Certified copies will be transmitted to the Board of Education Chairperson, Superintendent of Education, and University of Hawaii System President.