Agriculturally related businesses would be allowed on farm land under a measure signed into law Friday by Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

Permissible commercial activity includes the preparation and sale of certain food grown by the owner or operator of a retail food establishment and the sale of logo items related to a producer’s agricultural operation.

"The ability to be able to take what you grow and turn it into products and to be able to sell it is really what this is all about — to get people used to not just the brand names but the fact that they’re able to support agriculture as a result," Abercrombie said.

The proposal, Senate Bill 2375, was introduced by Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (D, Kaena-Wahiawa-Pupukea).

"Farmers are being forced to diversify their products in order to make ends meet while continuing to provide local food for the community," he said. "This bill allows for additional opportunities for them to create revenue."

Senate Bill 2375 was among 16 bills signed into law Friday by the governor, who must notify the Legislature by June 25 of what bills he might veto.

One of those measures highlighted by Abercrombie was SB 2646, which is intended to promote diversified agriculture by exempting certain nonresidential agricultural buildings and commercial farms from county building permit requirements.

"I think these two bills are just the epitome of where we want to go in agriculture," he said. "We support local farming."