CSP farmers can renew, add to contracts starting Friday
Producers with expiring U.S. Department of Agriculture Conservation Stewardship Program contracts have from Friday until Sept. 12 to renew and add conservation activities that will support their natural resource improvement activities and fine-tune their conservation plans.
“CSP farmers are conservation leaders and go the extra mile to conserve our nation’s resources,” said Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Jason Weller. “The 2014 Farm Bill continued that strong commitment and heightened the program’s focus on generating conservation benefits. This program allows landowners to reach the next level of conservation and opens the door to trying new conservation activities.”
About 20,000 CSP contracts are reaching the end of their initial five-year contract period and may be renewed for an additional five years when participants agree to take additional conservation actions.
The program provides opportunities for farmers and ranchers who are already established conservation stewards, helping them improve water quality and quantity, soil health and wildlife habitat. Renewal applications will be accepted beginning Friday. There will also be another signup in fiscal year 2015.
To learn about technical and financial assistance available through CSP, visit nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted, the Conservation Stewardship webpage or local USDA service center. For more on the 2014 Farm Bill, visit nrcs.usda.gov/FarmBill.
Overeaters group meets Saturday
An Overeaters Anonymous meets from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Unity Church sanctuary, 75-5722 Hanama Place.
The 12-step program is comprised of those whose common purpose is recovery from overeating and the development and maintenace of healthy eating habits. The nonprofit organization is supported by the voluntary contributions of attending members.
All meetings are free and open to all those who desire to develop healthy eating habits.
Daifukuji Soto Mission holds summer bon dance festival
The Daifukuji Soto Mission is hosting its annual summer festival at 6:30 p.m. July 12 on temple grounds at 79-7241 Mamalahoa Hwy. next to Teshima’s Restaurant in Honalo.
The festival will open with a Buddhist service followed by Japanese and Okinawan bon dances and taiko performances from 7 to 10 p.m.. A dinner of stew, hot dogs, and manju will be sold to benefit the youth taiko group. Admission is free; a donation is requested for bon dance towels.
For more information, visit daifukuji.org or call 322-3524.
Library boosters planning sale
The Friends of the Libraries, Kona will hold its next book sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday on the Kailua-Kona Public Library lanai. Proceeds from sales help support the needs of the Kona libraries, with funding that includes educational and entertainment programs, community summer reading programs, visiting authors, magazine subscriptions, CDs, DVDs and new book purchases.
Volunteers are welcome. Call 322-0077.
Villages of Laiopua plans community sale
The Villages of Laiopua Homestead Master Association invites the public to its semi-annual Community Wide Garage Sale beginning from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call the 355-8689.
Bridge league lists play results
Results of the American Contract Bridge League play at the Kona Bridge Club:
June 16: First was taken by Barbara Eichelbarger and Jim Elstran; second, Dorothy Case and Chuck Clark.
June 19: Liz Holey and Shirley Decker placed first; second, Dean Jenkins and Craig Ross.
June 20: First went to Loz Holey and Barbara Eichelbarger; second, Kathy Golitzen and Shirley Decker.
June 23: North/south first was claimed by Shelly Hershberger and Craig Ross; second, Barbara Eichelbarger and Jim Elstran. Placing first east/west were Dorothy Case and Chuck Clark; second, Shirley Decker and Sharon Bolton.
June 26: First went to Shirley Decker and Craig Ross; second, Dorothy Case and Chuck Clark.
June 27: Gail Mullen and Shirley Decker came in first; second, Kathy Golitzen and Susan Brown.
June 30: Shelly Hershberger and Carig Ross placed first; second, Shirley Decker and Sharon Bolton.
For the schedule of games, call 443-7708.
Hawaii Island Pride event set in Hilo
Hawaii Island Pride celebrates LGBT diversity July 12 in Hilo. A parade will process through the streets of Hilo Bayfront from 11 a.m. to noon, with a festival to follow in Mooheau County Park. The Hilo Bandstand will host live entertainment. The festivities will also include a separate dance tent.
For more information, call 935-8850.
Mauna Kea Quilters meets Saturday
Mauna Kea Quilters of Waimea meets at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the meeting room of the Thelma Parker Memorial Library.
The quilters meet for business, show and tell, and to share new ideas and techniques on the second Saturday of each month. Each year they donate quilts to raise money for a variety of organizations, the police and fire departments, and North Hawaii Community Hospital.
For more information call Becky Parkinson at 937-2159.