CHAPTER 267A
LOCAL FOOD AND FARM PROGRAM

  267A.1  Purpose and goals.
  1.  The purpose of this chapter is to empower farmers and food entrepreneurs to provide for strong local food economies that promote self-sufficiency and job growth in the agricultural sector and allied sectors of the economy. 
  2.  The goals of this chapter are to accomplish all of the following:
  a.  Promote the expansion of the production of local foods, including all of the following:
  (1)  The production of Iowa-grown food, including but not limited to livestock, eggs, milk, fruit, vegetables, grains, herbs, honey, and nuts.
  (2)  The processing of Iowa-grown agricultural products into food products, including canning, freezing, dehydrating, bottling, or otherwise packaging and preserving such products.
  (3)  The distribution and marketing of fresh and processed Iowa-grown agricultural food products to markets in this state and neighboring states.
  b.  Increase consumer and institutional spending on Iowa-produced and marketed foods.
  c.  Increase the profitability of farmers and businesses engaged in enterprises related to producing, processing, distributing, and marketing local food.
  d.  Increase the number of jobs in this state’s farm and business economies associated with producing, processing, distributing, and marketing local food.
2011 Acts, ch 128, §27, 60
NEW section

  267A.2  Definitions.
  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
  1.  “Coordinator” means the local food and farm program coordinator created in section 267A.4.
  2.  “Council” means the local food and farm program council established in section 267A.3.
  3.  “Department” means the department of agriculture and land stewardship.
  4.  “Fund” means the local food and farm program fund created in section 267A.5.
2011 Acts, ch 128, §28, 60
NEW section

  267A.3  Local food and farm program council.
  1.  A local food and farm program council is established to advise the local food and farm program coordinator carrying out the purpose and goals of this chapter as provided in section 267A.1.
  2.  The council shall be composed of the following voting members:
  a.  The secretary of agriculture or the secretary’s designee.
  b.  Members appointed by the designated organizations, at the discretion of the organization, to represent the private sector as follows:
  (1)  One person by the Iowa farmers union who is involved in local food production.
  (2)  One person by the Iowa farmers market association.
  c.  Members appointed by the governor to represent public or private entities involved in local food distribution, marketing, or processing as follows:
  (1)  One person who is associated with a resource conservation and development office in this state.
  (2)  One person actively engaged in the distribution of local food to processors, wholesalers, or retailers.
  (3)  One person from the regional food systems working group who is actively engaged or an expert in local food.
  3.  A member designated by the secretary of agriculture shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary. A member appointed by an organization shall serve at the pleasure of that organization. A member appointed by the governor shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.
  4.  The council shall be part of the department. The department shall perform administrative functions necessary for the operation of the council.
  5.  The council shall elect a chairperson from among its members each year on a rotating basis as provided by the council. The council shall meet on a regular basis and at the call of the chairperson or upon the written request to the chairperson of a majority of the members.
  6.  The members of the council shall not receive compensation for their services including as provided in section 7E.6. However, the members may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the council if allowed by the council. 
  7.  A majority of the members constitutes a quorum and the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present is necessary for any substantive action to be taken by the council. The majority shall not include any member who has a conflict of interest and a statement by a member that the member has a conflict of interest is conclusive for this purpose. A vacancy in the membership does not impair the duties of the council.
2011 Acts, ch 128, §29, 60
NEW section

  267A.4  Local food and farm program coordinator.
  The position of local food and farm program coordinator is created within Iowa state university as part of its cooperative extension service in agriculture and home economics. The coordinator shall be the primary state official charged with carrying out the purposes and goals of this chapter.
2011 Acts, ch 128, §30, 60
NEW section

  267A.5  Local food and farm program fund.
  A local food and farm program fund is created in the state treasury under the control of the department. The fund is separate from the general fund of the state. The fund is composed of moneys appropriated by the general assembly and moneys available to and obtained or accepted by the local food and farm program from the United States government or private sources for placement in the fund. Moneys in the fund shall be used to carry out the purpose and goals of this chapter as provided in section 267A.1, including but not limited to administering the local food and farm program as provided in section 267A.6. The fund shall be managed by the department in consultation with the local food and farm coordinator, under the supervision of the local food and farm program council.
2011 Acts, ch 128, §31, 60
NEW section

  267A.6  Local food and farm program.
  The local food and farm program coordinator, with advice from the local food and farm program council, shall develop and administer a local food and farm program necessary to carry out the purpose and goals of this chapter as provided in section 267A.1, including but not limited to by improving any of the following:
  1.  Communication and cooperation between and among farmers, food entrepreneurs, and consumers.
  2.  Coordination between and among government agencies, public universities and community colleges, organizations, and private-sector firms working on local food and farm-related issues.
2011 Acts, ch 128, §32, 60
NEW section

  267A.7  Local food and farm program report.
  The local food and farm program coordinator shall prepare an annual report dated June 30, which shall evaluate the state’s progress in accomplishing the purpose and goals of this chapter. The report shall be delivered to the governor and general assembly not later than October 1 of each year.
2011 Acts, ch 128, §33, 60
NEW section