BILL REQ. #:  Z-0212.1 

Read first time 01/09/2007.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development.

     AN ACT Relating to the small farm direct marketing assistance program; and amending RCW 15.64.050.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 15.64.050 and 2001 2nd sp.s. c 3 s 2 are each amended 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;
     (c) Provide information on 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.))