AB931: Bill Text

AB931,2,8 (a) Two members representing the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, appointed by the secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.

AB931,2,11 (b) Two members representing resource conservation and development councils, under 16 USC 3451 to 3460, appointed by the secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection for 5-year terms.

AB931,2,14 (c) Two members representing the agricultural programs of the University of Wisconsin-Extension, appointed by the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

AB931,2,16 (d) Two members representing agribusiness, appointed by the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Extension for 5-year terms.

AB931, s. 2 Section 2. 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated: - See PDF for table

AB931, s. 3 Section 3. 20.115 (4) (cm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB931,3,4 20.115 (4) (cm) Value-added farm product and market development. Biennially, the amounts in the schedule for grants for value-added farm product and market development under s. 93.65 (3).

AB931, s. 4 Section 4. 93.65 of the statutes is created to read:

AB931,3,7 93.65 Value-added farm product and market development. (1) Definitions. In this section:

AB931,3,9 (a) "Agricultural commodity" means a plant or animal raised by farmers in this state.

AB931,3,11 (b) "Board" means the value-added farm product and market development board.

AB931,3,12 (c) "Corporation" means the corporation organized under sub. (2) (a).

AB931,3,15 (d) "Resource conservation and development council" means a council in this state designated to receive assistance through the federal Resource Conservation and Development Program under 16 USC 3451 to 3460.

AB931,4,2 (2) Duties of the board. (a) The board shall organize a nonprofit corporation under ch. 181 with the primary purpose of assisting farmers in this state to develop, produce, and market products that add value to agricultural commodities. The board shall organize the corporation so that it is exempt from federal taxation under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

AB931,4,7 (b) The board shall advise the corporation, the department, the resource conservation and development councils, the University of Wisconsin-Extension, and others concerning their efforts to assist farmers in this state to develop, produce, and market products that add to value agricultural commodities and endeavor to coordinate those efforts.

AB931,4,12 (3) Grants. The department may make grants, from the appropriation account under s. 20.115 (4) (cm), to the corporation to enable the corporation to assist farmers in this state to develop, produce, and market products that add value to agricultural commodities if the corporation enters into a contract with the department under which the corporation agrees to do all of the following:

AB931,4,14 (a) Provide technical and financial assistance in developing products that add value to agricultural commodities.

AB931,4,16 (b) Provide technical and financial assistance in developing methods to produce products that add value to agricultural commodities.

AB931,4,18 (c) Provide technical and financial assistance in marketing products that add value to agricultural commodities.

AB931,4,21 (d) Establish and maintain laboratory facilities for testing products and for other activities to assist farmers in this state to develop and produce products that add value to agricultural commodities.

AB931,4,24 (e) Provide assistance under pars. (a) to (c) using methods that include providing information and training concerning developing business plans, designing Internet sites, and developing marketing techniques.

AB931,5,3 (f) Refer farmers to other sources of assistance for developing, producing, and marketing products that add value to agricultural commodities and provide help in applying for grants from such sources.

AB931,5,6 (g) Avoid duplication of services by working in conjunction with the board, the department, the resource conservation and development councils, the University of Wisconsin-Extension, and others involved in agriculture.

AB931,5,9 (h) Identify types of commodities or products for which the corporation will concentrate on providing assistance and develop expertise related to those commodities or products.

AB931,5,11 (i) Evaluate the effectiveness of the corporation's activities and report the results of its evaluations to the department and the board.

AB931,5,12 (j) Seek federal funding for the operations of the corporation.

AB931, s. 5 Section 5. Nonstatutory provisions.

AB931,5,17 (1) Initial terms of board. Notwithstanding the length of terms specified in section 15.135 (2) (b) and (d) of the statutes, as created by this act, for members of the value-added farm product and market development board, the initial members shall be appointed for the following terms:

AB931,5,20 (a) One member appointed under section 15.135 (2) (b) of the statutes, as created by this act, and one member appointed under section 15.135 (2) (d) of the statutes, as created by this act, for terms expiring on May 1, 2007.

AB931,5,23 (b) One member appointed under section 15.135 (2) (b) of the statutes, as created by this act, and one member appointed under section 15.135 (2) (d) of the statutes, as created by this act, for terms expiring on May 1, 2009.

AB931,5,24 (End)