Brief Description: Continuing the small farm direct marketing assistance program.

Sponsors: By Representatives Grant, Hailey, McCoy, McDonald, Newhouse, Chase, Dickerson, Haler, Kenney, Springer and Morrell; by request of Department of Agriculture.

House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources
House Committee on Appropriations
Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development

Background:

About 89 percent of Washington farms fit the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) definition of a small farm: less than $250,000 in gross annual sales, with the day-to-day labor and management provided by the farmer and/or the farm family that owns or leases the productive assets of the farm.

In 2001 the Legislature passed HB 1984, creating a Small Farm Direct Marketing Program (Program) in the state Department of Agriculture. The Program is statutorily directed to assist small farms in marketing their products, help them comply with government regulations, assist with infrastructure development that will increase marketing opportunities, and promote localized food production.

The statute expires on July 1, 2007.

Summary:                            

The July 1, 2007, expiration date is removed from the statute that creates Small Farm Direct Marketing Program and prescribes its duties.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   89   0
Senate   48   0

Effective: July 22, 2007