Rep. Tulsi Gabbard‘s office provides the details. Major highlights include:

• Funding authorization for research and development to address the coffee berry borer invasive species and area-wide pest management plans.

• Disaster assistance includes such programs as the Tree Assistance Program, which helps Hawaii and Maui Island flower growers impacted by the ongoing drought.

• Provides an additional $20 million annually for The Emergency Food Assistance Program to support food banks. 

• Promotes Hawaii’s specialty crops — $800 million nationally for specialty crop research and $290 million for the specialty crop block grant program.

• Reauthorizes sugar program to support cultivation and about 800 jobs on Maui.

“The FARM bill compromise we passed in the House today reflects a commitment to farmers and consumers in Hawaii, and across the country,” Gabbard said in a press release. “By cutting wasteful direct payments and subsidies to mega-farms, the bill takes important steps to support small farmers and those who grow healthy food. … While I’m disappointed in overall SNAP funding reductions, it is important to note that the reforms made to this specific program will not affect Hawaii food stamp recipients.  …”

Photo: Chicken farming. (mauitimeweekly)

—Chad Blair