1984 AMS AG S2443

1984 AMS AG S2443.1

HB 1984 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Agriculture & International Trade

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that:

(1) Many consumers in this state appreciate and seek out the opportunity to purchase local farm products.

(2) Consumers and small-scale farmers would both benefit from increased opportunities to market farm products locally. Direct marketing provides farmers with the opportunity to realize an increased share of consumers' food dollars and provides consumers with a greater opportunity to support local agriculture and understand farm operations, farm culture, and the role farms play in meeting our food needs.

(3) The state would greatly benefit from a focused effort to increase the economic viability and profitability of small farms through increasing their ability to market their products directly to consumers.

(4) Direct marketing opportunities are often not feasible for farmers to undertake because of market barriers and the difficulty of obtaining information related to marketing.

(5) A direct marketing assistance program for small farmers could provide the needed information, technical assistance, and barrier clearing work that is a key to increasing direct marketing of farm products.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 15.64 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The small farm direct marketing assistance program is created.

(2) The director shall employ a small farm direct marketing assistant.

(3) The small farm direct marketing assistance program shall assist small farms in their direct marketing efforts. In carrying out this duty the program shall:

(a) Assist small farms in complying with federal, state, and local rules and regulations as they apply to direct marketing of agricultural products;

(b) Assist in developing infrastructure to increase direct marketing opportunities for small farms;

(d) Promote localized food production systems;

(e) Increase access to information for farmers wishing to sell farm products directly to consumers;

(f) Identify and help reduce market barriers facing small farms in direct marketing;

(g) Assist in developing and submitting proposals to grant programs to assist small farm direct marketing efforts; and

(h) Perform other functions that will assist small farms in directly marketing their products.

(4) This section expires July 1, 2007.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 15.64 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The director shall, by December 1, 2006, issue a report on the accomplishments of the small farm direct marketing assistance program. The report must be submitted to the committees of the senate and the house of representatives that have jurisdiction over agricultural issues. The report must be made available to the public.

(2) This section expires July 1, 2007.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 43.23 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The legislature finds that the development of an overall strategy to provide improved markets for the richly diversified agricultural commodities produced in our state is needed to stabilize and enhance the rural and agricultural economies in Washington. One important component of this strategy is to focus on increasing the visibility and market share of agricultural products with in-state consumers. The legislature finds that state-produced commodities are of the highest quality, transported the least distance, and are the freshest. Further, increased competition and well-funded advertising campaigns from competing regions are eroding in-state market share for commodities produced within this state. The legislature further finds many consumers prefer to buy locally produced commodities and prefer to support our state's economy. These consumers would buy Washington produce if they were able to identify the products as "grown in Washington."

(2) There is hereby created within the department of agriculture a "grown in Washington" program. The purpose of the program is to allow the department of agriculture to provide matching funds to commodity boards, commodity commissions, and other qualifying entities to implement programs that increase sales and market share for state-produced agricultural commodities in our state domestic market."

HB 1984 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Agriculture & International Trade

On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "products;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding new sections to chapter 15.64 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.23 RCW; creating a new section; and providing expiration dates."