Committee approves farm-to-school educator positions, adds statewide-law language

The joint committee voted to pass Senate Bill 666 with amendments that convert two temporary farm-to-school extension agent positions into ongoing roles at the University of Hawaii and create an agriculture education coordinator position.

The measure drew support from farm-to-school advocates and agriculture groups. Kavika Kahyapo of the Hawaii Public Health Institute and the Hawaii Farm to Schools Network testified that permanent positions are essential to expand equitable access to agriculture and food-systems education and to help meet the state’s farm-to-school procurement goal under Act 175. "These positions are essential to advancing coordinated statewide approach to offering students regular and equitable access to agriculture and food system education," Kahyapo said.

Brian Miyamoto of the Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the bill, emphasizing the need for a pipeline of students and future policymakers who understand agriculture. The committee adopted a technical amendment recommended by a department representative to identify the bill as a matter of statewide concern and set a future administrative date when necessary. The committee recorded the chair's recommendation to pass with amendments and the measure was adopted in committee; the vice chair was excused and several members recorded aye votes.

The bill aims to keep two existing temporary positions in place and add a coordinator to strengthen teacher education and K–12 outreach. Committee members asked CTAHR staff to provide organizational charts showing how farm-to-school agents, student services roles and other extension positions interrelate; staff agreed to provide that information to the committee.