(MENAFN) Hawaii's Governor Neil Abercrombie has inked seven agriculture-related bills to help farmers, in a move he says will give Hawaii products instant credibility and add value, AP reported.
The new legislation includes USD250,000 to fight coffee berry borer infestations, USD75,000 for the Future Farmers of America program and an expansion of subsidies for livestock feed.
Abercrombie said he is most enthusiastic about appropriating funds to the Education Department for teaching kids about farming. He says it's a modest down payment for the program to prove itself.
Lawmakers at Hawaii Capitol said the set of new rules will include feed subsidies, which will help local farm operations stay viable and competitive with food suppliers from the US mainland.
Another bill authorizes the state's housing programs to develop incentives for housing projects that incorporate urban gardening programs.
Other bills fund improvements to irrigation systems, expand building permit exemptions for commercial farms and ranches, and expand loan programs for farmers.
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