KCFA BOD Meeting
Oct. 15, 2013
CTAHR Office, Kainaliu
Call to Order by at 4:05 PM
Present: T. Butler, C. Smith, K. Schweickhard, C. Coleman. L. Hanna, B. Corker and ML Moss
Guest: Steve Bess of Hawaii Agricultural mediation Program (HIAMP)
100% Kona coffee provided by C. Coleman. Thank you!
Nov. 19. coffee to be provided by L. Hannah
Minutes - Motion was made by ML. Moss to approve the Sept. minutes was seconded by K. Schweickhard. Motion passed.
Treasurer’s report - Motion by ML Moss to approve the report was seconded by L Hannah. Motion passed.
Guest speaker Steve Bess: HIAMP is located in 38 states, is USDA compliant and is organized as a mediation tool for the agricultural industry in matters such as credit or loan problems. They act as facilitator to empower the client. They are 1 ½ to 2 years old and are in an initiation process.
NEW BUSINESS
*Legislative Committee—October 15, 2013*
1—*Proposed Coffee Standards Amendments*--After review and analysis of a 34-page set of proposed amendments to the HDOA's Coffee Standards Regulations, the Legislative Committee identified 9 substantial concerns for coffee farmers arising from the proposed changes. KCFA communicated those concerns to HDOA Chair Kokubun and urged KCFA members to submit written testimony and attend the Kona hearing on the amendments. At the October 10 hearing, KCFA President Cea Smith testified in opposition to changes that would adversely affect coffee farmers. Cea's testimony was supported by following KCFA members also testified at the hearing: Joachim Oster, Mary Lou Moss, Bruce Corker, Jeff Seel and Colehour Bondera. Testifying in support of the HDOA proposed amendments (and not supporting any of KCFA’s concerns) were Roger Kaiwi (Hawaii Coffee Company), Greg Stille (Hawaii Coffee Association) and David Bateman (Kona Coffee Council). The Legislative Committee thanks all KCFA members who submitted written testimony and/or attended the hearing. We will wait and see what further amendments or changes may be made by the HDOA as a result of public
testimony.
2—*County Council GMO Limitation*—Pursuant to the Board’s June 18 resolution, Legislative Committee Member Colehour Bondera has continued to communicate KCFA’s support for Hawaii County Council Member Margaret Wille’s legislation to limit introduction of additional GMO crops in the County. Consideration of Ms. Wille's proposal continues before the County Council.
B. Corker reported on his trip to France on behalf of American Origin Products (AOP)
Kona coffee was one of 6 representatives from AOP.
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Election Committee - B. Corker, A. Kelleher and C. Bondera
The Annual General Meeting will be at Kahaluu Park on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014 at 12 noon.
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Coffee and Art Stroll ML Moss
There are more spaces available for KCFA members.
The Keauhou Shopping center Fair is looking for more farmer vendors. Registration forms are available. There will be announcements in the newspaper.
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Branding: B. Corker - Hawaiian Airlines to remove the offering of a 10% blend on their flights after Dec. 31, 2014
C. Coleman -
1.reported on an increase in coffee robberies in the Kona belt. probably because of the higher prices being paid for coffee.
2. The San Francisco Chronicle printed an article, “Hawaii Coffee, Wine of the Tropics”
Geographic ID: - C. Bondera
For the past month, the Geographical identity Committee has put out national and international energy to Support the representation of Kona coffee and participation of Bruce Corker in the French government sponsored tour of similar agricultural products in the country of France. The invitation came from the French Ministry of Agriculture. The invitation was extended in order to provide all exchange of ideas and information between US groups and their French counterparts concerning the promotion and protection of regionally identity ad agricultural products. The tour was from September 29 October 4, 2013.
The US delegation included producers of Idaho Potatoes, Vermont Maple Syrup, Maine Lobster, New Mexico Native Chiles, and Wisconsin Ginseng. Each of these delegates is associated with a producer organization affiliated with the American Origin Products Association, the organization that provides a national US voice for regionally identified agricultural products.
On the French side of the exchange were producers of a number of France's many renowned regional products, including Champagne, Comte Cheese, Bresse Chicken, Grenoble Walnuts, Jura Wines, and Vosges Fir-Tree Honey. Also participating were representative of various local, regional, and national governmental agencies, including the Chief of the International Department of the French Agriculture Ministry. For more information on the American Origin Products Association and the
03.2013 Terroir Tour de France' visit aop-us.org
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Membership: L. Hanna-
New members who have joined. Sept. 16 to Oct. 13, 2013
Kem Loong Captain Cook Voting
Donna Meineers Captain Cook Voting
Patti Fye Holualoa Associate
Bruce Paoli Captain Cook Associate
Total Members : 353
Voting Associate Supporting Business
255 54 44
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HFUU: David Case
Adjourned at 5:40 PM
Minutes recorded by Sec. T. Butler
