The Maui County Council is moving forward to reserve 260 acres to expand the Kula Agricultural Park for organic farming. 

During a recent meeting, the council passed a bill that aims to promote regenerative farming practices that restore soil health in the county’s new section of the Kula Agricultural Park in lower Kula, where the local government offers farmers access to plots through long-term leases at affordable rates.

“Regenerative agriculture is a forward-thinking system that works to naturally nurture soil, protect water resources and biodiversity and combat climate change,” Council member Gabe Johnson of Lanai, who introduced the bill, said in a news release. “We need to create an environment that supports our farmers and agriculture economy.”

Producers who want to farm in the new organic expansion area must comply with specific rules on fertilizers and pesticides, according to the news release. The existing 445-acres of the agricultural park will continue to be offered to conventional farmers.

Civil Beat’s coverage of Maui County is supported in part by grants from the Nuestro Futuro Foundation and the Fred Baldwin Memorial Foundation.