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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Friday, June 17, 2005

ISLAND VOICES
Land Conservation Fund critical to Hawai'i

By Dean Okimoto and Robert Wagner

Opportunity. Farming in Hawai'i today is all about opportunity.

The 2002 Census of Agriculture reports over $530 million in annual sales of agricultural products. This figure is just farm gate receipts and does not account for the enormous contribution of value-added products and the multiplier effects of farming to Hawai'i's economy.

Of the farm gate sales in the state, close to 65 percent come from farms producing fruits, vegetables, and greenhouse and nursery products. These are farms run by enterprising entrepreneurs that take advantage of opportunities in Hawai'i — the climate, unparalleled agricultural soils, local markets and demand for niche and ethnic food products. Capturing these opportunities rely on one primary ingredient — land on which to run and operate a farm.

The Legacy Lands Act (House Bill 1308), establishing the Hawai'i Land Conservation Fund, passed by the Legislature in May, offers an excellent opportunity for the state to contribute to the protection of valuable agricultural resources and farming opportunities for future generations. By being in a position to leverage local, private and federal contributions, the Hawai'i Land Conservation Fund can be a critical component of land protection transactions far beyond its own financial capabilities.

Where there are opportunities, there are often missed opportunities as well. The goal is always to maximize the former and avoid the latter. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) provides matching funds to facilitate the voluntary protection of valuable farm and ranch properties through the purchase of agricultural conservation easements. This program and similar programs administered at the state and local levels across the United States have protected over 1.5 million acres of agricultural lands for future generations.

Being a matching grants program, FRPP will only provide funding for up to 50 percent of the cost of a land-protection project, with the balance typically provided from a combination of state, local and private sources.

Hawai'i has unfortunately had to pass on its FRPP allocations in the past — to the tune of $1.5 million last year. The Legacy Lands Act specifically earmarks $1.1 million to match this year's FRPP allocation, leveraging $3.3 million in combined buying power. The Hawai'i Land Conservation Fund will now provide the opportunity for the state to participate in the protection of its important agricultural lands and allow for the full use of these federal funds, which otherwise would be returned and re-allocated to projects in other states.

While permanently protecting farms and ranches with conservation easements has had a long history in many states, it is a relatively new consideration in Hawai'i. The state's Agriculture Working Group in 2003-2004 seriously explored this option during its deliberations, and local land trusts in the state are uncovering potential land projects that would qualify for the FRPP.

The Hawai'i Land Conservation Fund would be a terrific boost to fledgling farmland protection efforts in the state and the foundation of a legacy of actions in support of Hawai'i's farmers and farming.

We urge Gov. Lingle to seize this opportunity.

Dean Okimoto is president of the Hawai'i Farm Bureau and owner of Nalo Farms in Waimanalo. Robert Wagner is the associate vice president for Field Programs for the American Farmland Trust.