Act 53 - Establishing Ag Education Programs

SUMMARY OF ACT 53, SLH 2009

DEFINING AND ESTABLISHING “AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS” AS A PERMISSIBLE USE  ON AGRICULTURAL LANDS WITH LAND STUDY BUREAU OVERALL PRODUCTIVITY RATINGS OF “A” AND “B”

Title:

“Farmers Now Able To Offer Agricultural Education Programs To The Public On Their Farms”

Summary:

Governor Linda Lingle signed House Bill No. 1436, House Draft 1, Senate Draft 1 into law on May 6, 2009.  Now known as Act 53, it amends Chapter 205, commonly known as Hawaii’s Land Use Law, by allowing agricultural education programs as a permissible use on the most productive agricultural lands in the state, provided they are secondary or accessory to commercial farming operations and do not interfere with surrounding farming operations. 

Qualifying farmers will now be able to offer agricultural education programs on their property without need to seek Special Permit approval.  Education about agricultural operations while at a farm provides a unique opportunity to increase the public interest in and awareness of issues and opportunities important to farmers as well as education targeted to farmers about agronomic and business practices. 

Farmers interested in establishing agricultural education programs are advised to contact their county planning department, however, be advised that the counties will likely need to establish standards, rules, and a process to review requests of this nature.