Section 262.950

Title XVII AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS

Chapter 262

Effective - 28 Aug 2011, 2 histories, see footnote   (history) 

  262.950.  Board created, definitions, members, mission, duties — report — meetings — expiration date. — 1. As used in this section, the following terms shall mean:

  (1) "Locally grown agricultural products", food or fiber produced or processed by a small agribusiness or small farm;

  (2) "Small agribusiness", an independent agribusiness located in Missouri with gross annual sales of less than five million dollars;

  (3) "Small farm", an independent family-owned farm in Missouri with at least one family member working in the day-to-day operation of the farm.

  2. There is hereby created an advisory board, which shall be known as the "Farm-to-Table Advisory Board". The board shall be made up of at least one representative from the following agencies: the University of Missouri extension service, the department of agriculture, the department of elementary and secondary education, the department of economic development, the department of corrections, and the office of administration. In addition, the director of the department of agriculture shall appoint one person actively engaged in the practice of small agribusiness. The representative for the department of agriculture shall serve as the chairperson for the board and shall coordinate the board meetings. The board shall hold at least two meetings, but may hold more as it deems necessary to fulfill its requirements under this section. Staff of the department of agriculture may provide administrative assistance to the board if such assistance is required.

  3. The mission of the board is to provide recommendations for strategies that:

  (1) Allow schools and state institutions to more easily incorporate locally grown agricultural products into their cafeteria offerings, salad bars, and vending machines; and

  (2) Increase public awareness of local agricultural practices and the role that local agriculture plays in sustaining healthy communities and supporting healthy lifestyles.

  4. In fulfilling its mission under this section, the board shall:

  (1) Investigate the status and availability of local, state, federal, and any other public or private resources that may be used to:

  (a) Link schools and state institutions with local and regional farms for the purchase of locally grown agricultural products;

  (b) Increase market opportunities for locally grown agricultural products;

  (c) Assist schools and other entities with education campaigns that teach children and the general public about the concepts of food production and consumption; the interrelationships between nutrition, food choices, obesity, and health; and the value of having an accessible supply of locally grown food;

  (2) Identify any type of barrier, which may include legal, logistical, technical, social, or financial, that prevents or hinders:

  (a) Schools and state institutions from purchasing more locally grown agricultural products;

  (b) The expansion of market opportunities for locally grown agricultural products;

  (c) Schools and other entities from engaging in education campaigns to teach people about the concepts of food production and consumption; the interrelationships between nutrition, food choices, obesity, and health; and the value of having an accessible supply of locally grown food; and

  (3) Develop recommendations for:

  (a) The maximization of existing public and private resources to accomplish the objectives in subsection 3 of this section;

  (b) The development of new or expanded resources deemed necessary to accomplish the objectives in subsection 3 of this section, which may include resources such as training programs, grant programs, or database development; and

  (c) The elimination of barriers that hinder the objectives in subsection 3 of this section, which may include changes to school or state institution procurement policies or procedures.

  5. The board shall prepare a report containing its findings and recommendations and shall deliver such report to the governor, the general assembly, and to the director of each agency represented on the board by no later than August 31, 2012.

  6. In conducting its work, the board may hold public meetings at which it may invite testimony from experts or it may solicit information from any party it deems may have information relevant to its duties under this section.

  7. This section shall expire on August 31, 2012.

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(L. 2011 H.B. 344)

Expires 8-31-12