SR 71: REQUESTING the department of agriculture to establish AND ADMINISTER a microbial algae soil products pilot program.

SENATE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING the department of agriculture to establish AND ADMINISTER a microbial algae soil products pilot program.

     WHEREAS, soil health is a critical element of sustainable crop production, as soil can directly influence biological and microbial activity that supports agricultural systems; and

     WHEREAS, in the agricultural sector, soil health and quality can be negatively impacted by certain practices, such as the excessive use of chemical fertilizers that deplete essential microbiological nutrients.  Soil degradation can be further exacerbated by soil compaction, poor aggregation, high pathogen pressure, and heavy metal contamination, which can lead to reduced crop yields, increased disease susceptibility, and greater reliance on intensive agricultural practices that can further harm the environment; and

     WHEREAS, to prevent soil degradation, algae-based fertilizers have been proven to protect soil while replenishing key nutrients needed for agricultural activities.  Microbial algae-based fertilizers are rich in organic compounds, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and trace elements that improve soil aeration, increase water retention, suppress harmful pathogens, and boost overall agricultural fertility; and

     WHEREAS, emerging research has demonstrated that specific types of microalgae and seaweeds offer promising solutions to improve soil health as a stimulant for nutrient cycling.  Additionally, microbial algae products do not contain synthetic chemicals, which can harm both natural physical environments and critical water resources; and

     WHEREAS, the incorporation of microbial algae-based fertilizers is a sustainable and cost-effective solution for the State's agricultural industry; and

     WHEREAS, the agricultural industry remains a critical state priority.  As the State seeks to increase its food resiliency and self-sufficiency while promoting local produce and agricultural products, ensuring the overall health of soil is imperative to achieve this goal; and

     WHEREAS, as the agricultural industry continues to innovate methods suited for the State's unique natural environment, recent developments, including microbial algae soil products, can provide low-risk opportunities to test new practices; and

     WHEREAS, by testing alternative agricultural methods in farms statewide, the agricultural industry can continue to grow while ensuring the safety of local produce and products for consumption; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Department of Agriculture is requested to establish and administer a Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program that introduces microbial algae on agricultural lands in the State to address agricultural soil health while improving nutrient cycling, reducing fertilizer dependency, and enhancing overall soil health; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that farmers are requested to be eligible for participation in the Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program if the farmer:

     (1)  Operates a small to medium-sized farm of not less than ten acres and not more than one hundred acres;

     (2)  Has stable or moderate production rates among all crops produced on the farm;

     (3)  Experiences yield reduction, poor soil health or nutrient management, or excessive fertilizer use that impacts the overall quality of soil;

     (4)  Produces high-value crops or a diverse variety of crops; and

     (5)  Operates an organic farm; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture may establish additional criteria for eligibility to participate in the Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture is requested to collaborate with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resiliency of the University of Hawaii and laboratories at the University of Hawaii engaged in the study of soil sciences; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture may collaborate with other departments, laboratories, or units at the University of Hawaii whose expertise is relevant to the Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations for the long-term application of microbial algae soil products to the State's agricultural sector, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Sessions of 2026 and 2027; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture and Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resiliency of the University of Hawaii.

Report Title: 

Department of Agriculture; University of Hawaii; College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience; Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program; Rules; Reports

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1581

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 71

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.R. No. 71 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER A MICROBIAL ALGAE SOIL PRODUCTS PILOT PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Request the Department of Agriculture to establish and administer a Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program (Pilot Program) that introduces microbial algae on agricultural lands in the State to address agricultural soil health while improving nutrient cycling, reducing fertilizer dependency, and enhancing overall soil health; and

     (2)  Request the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Sessions of 2026 and 2027.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

     Your Committee finds that ensuring the overall health of soil is imperative to achieve the State's food resiliency and self‑sufficiency goals.  Your Committee further finds that recent microbial algae soil products are an innovative and low‑risk agricultural method suitable for the State's unique natural environment.  Your Committee believes that the adoption of microbial algae-based fertilizers is a sustainable and cost‑effective solution for the continued growth of the State's agricultural industry that also ensures the safety of local produce and products for consumption.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 71 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,