Hawai'i farmers are eligible for financial assistance from the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments program for crop losses suffered during the 2008 growing season.

"This program is an important component of the farm safety net and will provide financial assistance to producers who have suffered crop losses due to natural disasters," said Diane Ley, executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency in Hawai'i and the Pacific Basin.

Farmers who are eligible are encouraged to call their county FSA office: O'ahu, 483-8600; Big Island, 808-933-8381; Maui, 808-871-5580; and Kaua'i, 808-245-9041. Information also is available at www.fsa.usda.gov.

STATEWIDE FORUMS FOCUS ON JOB CREATION

The state offices of Rural Development and Farm Service Agency will hold several roundtable discussions on job creation and economic growth around the state next week.

The schedule:

• Hilo, noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Cooperative Extension Service Conference Room, 201 A, 875 Komohana St.

• O'ahu, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Hale Ponoi Conference Center, 91-5420 Kapolei Parkway.

• Moloka'i, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Kalaniana'ole Hall.

Since seating is limited pre-registration is required. Contact Tim O'Connell, assistant to the state director, at tim.oconnell@hi.usda.gov or 808-933-8313.

GAS PRICES DIP SLIGHTLY TO $3.30 A GALLON

The average price of a gallon of regular gas in Hawai'i dropped a penny this week to $3.30 a gallon, according to the AAA Hawaii Weekend Gas Watch.

In Honolulu, the average price was $3.20 a gallon, down 1 cent from a week ago and 5 cents from a month ago.

The average price in Hilo was $3.31, unchanged from a week ago and 6 cents lower than last month.

In Wailuku, it was $3.67, down 1 cent from the previous week, but up 5 cents from a month ago.