US Rep. Jill Tokuda Invites Farmers To Have Their Say On Federal Farm Bill
The congresswoman will hold meetings across the state next week to hear the concerns of farmers and ranchers.
Congresswoman Jill Tokuda will hold meetings with farmers and ranchers across Hawaii to ensure their concerns are accounted for in the 2023 Farm Bill.
Tokuda is Hawaii’s only congressional delegate to sit on the , one of two committees charged with leading the bill’s drafting.
The omnibus Farm Bill — renegotiated in congress every five years — is a law governing an extensive list of federal food and agricultural programs.
The last Farm Bill was worth $428 billion and included funding for conservation, crop insurance, commodities and nutrition programs.
Tokuda is also welcoming nutrition and hunger advocates, as food assistance programs account for about 75% of the Farm Bill’s spending.
Tokuda says she anticipated the cost of transportation and shipping, climate change, natural disasters and the general cost of farming will be among the issues raised by farmers.
The meetings will be held throughout the state the first week of May, with an additional three town hall meetings on Lanai, Molokai and on Big Island.
Monday
Kona Town Hall
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
West Hawaii Civic Center, Council Chambers, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
Tuesday
Maui Farm Bill Listening Session
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
UH Extension Community Hall, 310 W. Kaahumanu Ave. Wailuku, HI 96793
Wednesday
Lanai Farm Bill Listening Session
2 to 3:15 p.m.
ILWU Hall, 840 Ilima Ave., Lanai City, HI 96763
Lanai Town Hall
4 to 5 p.m.
ILWU Union Hall, 840 Ilima Ave., Lanai City, HI 96763
Thursday
Molokai Farm Bill Listening Session
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Mitchell Pauole Community Center, 90 Ainoa St, Kaunakakai, HI 96748
Molokai聽Town Hall
4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mitchell Pauole Community Center, 90 Ainoa St, Kaunakakai, HI 96748
Friday
Waianae Farm Bill Listening Session
1 to 2:30 p.m.
Nanakuli Public Library, 89-070 Farrington Hwy, Waianae, HI 96792
Saturday, May 6
North Shore Farm Bill Listening Session
2:30 to 4 p.m.
Waialua Elementary School, 67-020 Waialua Beach Rd, Waialua, HI 96791
鈥淗awaii Grown鈥 is funded in part by grants from the Stupski Foundation, Ulupono Fund at the Hawaii Community Foundation and the Frost Family Foundation.
