HI SB2126

Establishes the Farming Grant Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to provide grants to small and midsized farms practicing conventional, sustainable, organic, or regenerative farming methods.

Small farms are defined as having annual gross cash farm income under $350,000; midsized farms are defined as having income between $350,000 and $999,999.

Grant funds may only be used for farming infrastructure and irrigation improvements, equipment upgrades, soil health and nutrient management practices, or climate-smart and water conservation techniques.

Applicants must be farm owners, comply with anti-discrimination laws, maintain records for state verification, and if a business entity, must be licensed in Hawaii with bylaws prohibiting nepotism and managing conflicts of interest.

Appropriates an unspecified amount from general revenues for fiscal year 2026-2027, with an effective date of July 1, 2050.