Department of Agriculture

MAUI FLOWER FARMER APPOINTED TO HAWAII BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has appointed Maui flower farmer, Craig Rasmussen, as an at-large member of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture.  His four-year term began on
July 1, 2005.

Rasmussen and his wife, Teena own Paradise Flower Farms, Inc. and have been in business since 1979.  Their 56-acre farm in Kula grows fresh cut flowers, roses, lei flowers bulbs and foliage.

“Craig’s farming and business perspective will be of great value to the Board especially on matters involving our important floriculture industry,” said Sandra Lee Kunimoto, Chairperson for the Hawaii Board of Agriculture.  “I also look forward to his participation in expanding and strengthening all segments of agriculture in Hawaii.”

Rasmussen served as President of the Maui County Farm Bureau in 1982 and was named the Outstanding Farm Bureau Member of the Year in 1986-1987.  He also served on the Maui County Agricultural Park Commission from 1990 to 1993 and was a member of the Mayor’s Selection Committee for Boards and Commissions in 2003.   

Rasmussen was named Maui’s Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration in 2001 and his family was recognized as the Outstanding Farm Family of the Year by the Hawaii State Farm Bureau in 2004.  In 1990, he was awarded the Outstanding Cooperator of the Year for Maui County by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service.

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For more information, contact:

Janelle Saneishi
Public Information Officer
Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Phone: (808) 973-9560
To E-mail, click here