21—1.3 (159) Market development and administrative services division. In addition to the duties outlined in subrule 1.1(4), the director of the market development and administrative services division assists the secretary in the preparation and presentation of the department’s budget to the governor and the general assembly. The division provides personnel services and works with the secretary and other divisions in the selection, hiring, and most phases of employment record keeping and processing relative to pay, benefits, and employee status changes in relation to the department. The director shall serve as a liaison between the department and the department of management, the department of personnel, and the state auditor. The bureaus and units under the supervision of the division are as follows:
	 1.3(1) Accounting bureau. The accounting bureau handles all accounting functions for the department, manages grants, formulates budget recommendations, performs various other business functions including the paying of bills and vouchers, and maintains adequate inventory of laboratory supplies.
	 1.3(2) Agricultural diversification and market development bureau. This bureau processes applications for organic certification and works closely with the Iowa organic standards board to ensure approval of those applications that meet state and federal regulations. This bureau provides marketing opportunities for diversified agricultural products throughout the state.
	 1.3(3) Agricultural marketing bureau. This bureau works with the various boards of Iowa agricultural organizations to assist and support their respective marketing efforts. The bureau also seeks new opportunities to assist Iowa’s private firms to find markets for their products. Additionally, the bureau provides Iowa livestock and grain producers with essential market information on a timely basis through the market news reporting service, a joint effort with the United States Department of Agriculture.
	 1.3(4) Agricultural statistics bureau. This bureau collects, prepares and publishes annual state farm census and other periodic research data, such as production figures, utilization of feed grains, grain stocks on hand, price variance, and marketing data on crops and livestock.
	 1.3(5) Audit bureau. The audit bureau analyzes reports filed by feed and fertilizer companies for fees paid into the general fund of the state. The bureau also makes audits to check for compliance with check-off law for the commodity promotion boards.
	 1.3(6) Climatology bureau. This bureau collects data and keeps records on rainfall, snowfall, snowmelt, frost and sun days, and prepares various reports including publishing maps showing data by region.
	 1.3(7) Horse and dog bureau. This bureau promotes the Iowa horse and dog breeding industry by registering qualified Iowa-foaled horses and Iowa-whelped dogs and working in cooperation with the racing industry. The bureau administers the payment of breeder awards to the breeders of qualified winning horses and dogs.
	 1.3(8) Horticulture and farmers market bureau. This bureau includes the following units:
	  a.   	 Horticulture. This unit lends direction, continuity, leadership, and administrative services and guidance to the Iowa horticulture industry. The horticulture unit works with the Iowa State Horticultural Society to promote and encourage horticulture with the individual affiliate groups and the Iowa State Horticultural Society as a whole. The unit identifies and helps determine the market potential for horticultural crops such as ornamental plants, fruits and vegetables, Christmas trees, herbs, mushrooms, grapes, nuts and turf products. The horticulture unit monitors the conditions of the industry and identifies, collects, and distributes pertinent information concerning horticulture and related interests. The unit acts as a resource for horticultural producers and provides referrals for assistance in marketing, production, financial aid, disaster programs, and regulatory issues. The horticulture unit acts as a liaison between industry organizations, other state and federal agencies, universities, noncommercial horticultural groups, and the agricultural community.
	  b.   	 Farmers markets. This unit assists in the organization and improvement of farmers markets throughout the state. The unit collects and distributes information pertinent to the markets and provides market managers assistance in vendor recruitment, market promotion, and regulatory issues.
	  c.   	 Farmers market nutrition programs. This unit administers programs designed to (1) provide a supplemental source of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for women, infants, and children, seniors, and other clients; and (2) increase the production, distribution, and consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables.
	 1.3(9) Information. This unit is staffed by information specialists who prepare informational material for the public benefit under the direction of the secretary. The information specialists prepare information for use through the media including newspapers, radio, television, and magazines. Information specialists are also responsible for drafting brochures and cooperating with other state agencies in disseminating agricultural information and education.
	 1.3(10) Renewable fuels and coproducts. This unit furthers the economic development of Iowa by adding value to Iowa’s agricultural commodities by facilitating increased production and consumption of products made from Iowa’s agricultural commodities and by encouraging production and use of renewable fuels and coproducts.