USDA accepting applications for Value-Added Producer Grant program
U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to make approximately $30 million in grants available through its Value-Added Producer Grant program. Applications will be accepted through July 8. More information on how to apply can be found in the May 8 Federal Register at gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-05-08/pdf/2015-10440.pdf. The grants can be used to develop new product lines from raw agricultural products or additional uses for already developed product lines.
During the 2013-14 funding cycle, nearly half of Value-Added Producer Grant awards went to farmers and ranchers developing products for their local food sector.
For more information, contact Lori Nekoba at 933-8312 or lori.nekoba@hi.usda.gov.
Mauna Kea Quilters meets Saturday
Mauna Kea Quilters will gather from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday in the meeting room of the Thelma Parker Memorial Library in Waimea.
The group of patchwork quilters donate quilts to raise money for worthwhile organizations in the area. The group meets on the second Saturday of each month to hold a business meeting, show and tell and to share new ideas and techniques.
For more information, call Becky Parkinson at 937-2159
Sail day, barbecue kick off sailing camps
Kona Sailing Club and Big Island Sailing Foundation will celebrate the beginning of summer sailing with an informal sail day at noon Saturday at Kona Sailing Club, Honokohau Harbor. A barbecue potluck will follow at 4:30 p.m. Kona Sailing Club will provide boats for youth sailors for a $10 fee.
Two-week sailing camps for 8- to 12-year-olds will be held starting June 15 and 22 and three-week camps for those 12 years old and older will be held in July. Summer sailing instructor Rob Balloch will lead the camps.
For more information regarding sail day or summer sailing camps, contact 325-5529 or bisf@earthlink.net.
Ministry founder to speak at Kona Christian Church
Kona Christian Church will host speaker Terry Mize at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m Sunday.
Mize has 40 years experience in ministry and missions and has traveled to the jungles of Panama and across the globe. He serves on numerous mission boards, is a founding board member of International Convention of Faith Ministries and Victory World Missions Training Center and is the founder of Missions Training Center and More Than Conquerors Ministries. More information can be found on his website at terrymizeministries.org.
For more information about the event, call 334-1077 or visit konachristianchurch.org.
Medical marijuana dispensary seminar is Saturday
The US Cannabis Pharmaceutical Research and Development Co. will host Hawaii’s first comprehensive seminar that teaches how to legally and successfully open medical marijuana dispensary systems in Hawaii. The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Marriott Resort Waikiki Beach on Oahu. Cost is $350. To register, go to uscprd.com or call 321-848-0479.
US Cannabis Pharmaceutical Research and Development is dedicated to producing and distributing safe, consistent and reliable medical-grade cannabis in states where cannabis is legal. For the first time ever, Hawaii patients will have legal access to medical marijuana that has been grown and prepared under strict safety controls, is laboratory tested for contaminants, and is regulated by the state to ensure it is safe and being administered in proper doses.
With medical marijuana production and dispensaries coming to Hawaii next year, new markets will also be created to support production centers and dispensaries.