SF 2065

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 11:33pm

A bill for an act
relating to employment; requiring a report on green jobs in the food production
sector; appropriating money for farm-to-school and farm-to-home pilot projects.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin GREEN JOBS FOOD PRODUCTION STUDY AND REPORT.
new text end

new text begin The board of the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute must prepare a detailed
study of this state's food production sector in coordination with the Minnesota State
Colleges and Universities; urban, rural, and tribal community-based agriculture and food
security organizations; members of the legislature who served on committees created by
the Green Jobs Task Force; and other interested stakeholders. The study must define
the size of the employment base and identify opportunities to increase the number of
green jobs in each of the following sector segments: organics, local, conventional,
natural, traditional, and urban farming. No later than January 15, 2010, the board of
the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute must report its findings to the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over employment and economic development policy and
finance.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; LOCAL FOOD PILOT PROJECTS.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2009 is appropriated from funds received from the federal
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5, to the
commissioner of agriculture for grants to fund farm-to-school and farm-to-home pilot
projects in urban, rural, and tribal communities that encourage healthy eating for children
and strengthen local economies. The commissioner shall develop program eligibility and
award grant funds in consultation with legislative members who served on committees
created by the Green Jobs Task Force.
new text end