(1) The Washington state department of agriculture is establishing the asparagus grower equipment lease program to implement section 3217, chapter 520, Laws of 2007 (ESHB 1092), which appropriates funds to the Washington state department of agriculture to extend and expand the department's asparagus automation and mechanization program. These rules also provide the criteria and qualifications to apply for participation in this program.

(2) The asparagus grower equipment lease program allows Washington state asparagus growers to lease with an opportunity to purchase labor saving equipment that will strengthen their production and harvesting efforts to efficiently produce fresh asparagus.