The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for a new round of organic certification cost-share assistance to organic farmers and organic livestock operators. Renewed federal funding totaling up to $65,000 has been allotted to help Hawaii organic farmers with
Funding renewed
for organic
cost-share program
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for a new round of organic certification cost-share assistance to organic farmers and organic livestock operators. Renewed federal funding totaling up to $65,000 has been allotted to help Hawaii organic farmers with the cost of organic certification through a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and HDOA.
Organic farmers and livestock operators are required to have their farms and practices inspected annually and certified by an agent approved by the USDA. The Agricultural Management Assistance Organic Certification Cost-Share Program allows organic growers to receive reimbursement of up to 75 percent of the cost of inspection and certification, up to $750. The AMAOCCSP program was authorized under the Federal Crop Insurance Act.
To receive reimbursement, the date of certification or renewal by a USDA accredited certifying agent must occur between Oct. 1, 2012 and Sept. 30. Applications and information are available at hdoa.hawaii.gov/add/md/usda-organic-certification-cost-share-programs.
USDA did not renew a separate program this year for organic processors/handlers.
Hospital announces scholarship opportunities
North Hawaii Community Hospital announces the Peggy Dineen-Orsini, NHCH Medical Staff and Hawaii Emergency Physicians Associated Inc. scholarship opportunities.
The Peggy Dineen-Orsini Scholarship is a $2,000 award for a resident of Hawaii County enrolled or accepted into a National League of Nursing accredited program in Hawaii or on the mainland. The scholarship is presented in memory of Dineen-Orsini, a registered nurse at NHCH from 1996 to 2004. The scholarship is intended to encourage residents to become productive members of the community through higher education.
Two $1,000 NHCH Medical Staff scholarships are offered to individuals enrolled or accepted into a National League of Nursing accredited program in Hawaii or on the mainland.
Hawaii Emergency Physicians Associated Inc. offers two $1,000 scholarships to graduating North Hawaii high school students. Students must write a personal letter describing their future plans and goals, explaining why their financial need is compelling.
All applications will be reviewed by the scholarship committee of each sponsoring organization, based on the criteria and requirements outlined in the scholarship application found online at NHCH.com. Financial need is an important consideration in the selection process. Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by April 30. Mail them to North Hawaii Community Hospital, Attention: Human Resources, 67-1125 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kamuela, HI 96743. For more information, contact Human Resources at North Hawaii Community Hospital at 881-4410.
Water for Life director speaking to Rotary
Derek Chignell, executive director for the Water for Life Institute, will speak at the Kona Sunrise Rotary meeting at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday at Hale Halawai.
For five years, Water for Life has been working to bring good water to Kosovo. The foundation has established a model for improvement in the village of Tushile where the water situation is now solved for all but a few families. Water for Life is now partnering with a high school and the Rotary Club in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, to help these villages.
Seniors group celebrating Easter
The Kailua-Kona Seniors meets at 10 a.m. Wednesdsay at Hale Halawai to celebrate Easter. Members are encouraged to design and wear an Easter bonnet. Those members will have an Easter Parade on Alii Drive, showing off their decorated hats. Prizes will be awarded in several categories. An “egg activity” is planned for added fun.
For more information, call Elsa at 315-8732.
Denman coming
to Dragonfly Ranch
The Dragonfly Ranch: Healing Arts Center in Honaunau will host “Songs and Stories of the Healing Island,” with Nelson Denman on Friday. Pupu are served at 6; music, then talk story begins at 6:30 p.m. A $20 donation is suggested to support Denman, a cultural arts ecologist who has composed a folk opera on Ecuador’s constitutional rights for nature.
The event will feature Denman’s original songs, storytelling and inspired conversation about the importance of sustainability and nurturing our connection to nature. He will stay in Hawaii a short while, living and teaching permaculture at the Dragonfly Ranch starting in April. He is presently a cellist with the Kamuela Philharmonic, the University of Hawaii and the Hilo Symphony. Denman performs and teaches guitar, bass, violin and cello wherever he travels.
For directions, visit dragonflyranch.com or call 328-1906. For more about Denman, visit therightsofnature.com/?page_id=12.
