Updated at 9:59 a.m., Thursday, August 30, 2007
USDA funds O'ahu farmers, Moloka'i cultural resources
Advertiser Staff
The federal government has awarded more than $100,000 in grants to support small farmers on O'ahu and help preserve cultural resources on Moloka'i.The Oahu Resource Conservation and Development Council will receive $50,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Opportunity Grant program. The funds will be used to help small farmers develop business skills to become financially successful, said Lorraine Shin, Hawaii director of USDA Rural Development.
Ke Aupuni Lokahi Inc. will receive $50,682 from the USDA's Rural Business Enterprise Grant program to help the Molokai Land Trust further its mission of protecting and restoring the natural and cultural resources there.
USDA agencies also provided grants of $50,000 each to promote tourism opportunities on in Palau and the Guam.
Palau's Airai State Government received a Rural Business Opportunity Grant to fund an eco-tourism project involved in traditional restoration of foot trails and aqua farms.
The Guam Tourism Foundation received a Rural Business Enterprise Grant to fund training and education programs to help member businesses to improve their productivity and efficiency.
The USDA's Rural Development program has invested more than $76.8 billion since 2001 in various projects.
