LIHUE >> Kauai County and the state Department of Agriculture are jointly funding a joint fact finding mission to examine the possible health and environmental effects of pesticides used in the cultivation of genetically modified organisms. 

The county’s Office of Economic Development said Wednesday both parties will each contribute $50,000 toward the project. They expect the process to begin in January and be finished within a year. 

The first step will involve interviews and discussions to identify the questions the fact finding group will ask. The parties will select nine or more people to serve in the group. 

The county says the group will include knowledgeable local experts with backgrounds, experience or a detailed understanding of agriculture, environmental health, epidemiology, toxicology, medicine or other related disciplines.