REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESILIENCE TO SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S SECONDARY AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION PROGRAM AND THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA PROGRAM.

This Senate Resolution requests that the Hawaii Department of Education and the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience support the state's secondary agricultural education program and the Future Farmers of America program. The bill aims to address Hawaii's food security concerns by expanding educational opportunities and training for students interested in agricultural careers, which have declined since the year 2000 due to policy changes and funding issues. It proposes employing an extension agent at the university to provide professional development for teachers and connect schools with agricultural best practices, following a model used by other land grant universities. The resolution directs copies to the Board of Education, the Superintendent of Education, and the President of the University of Hawaii System to facilitate implementation.