PRINTER'S NO. 2081
No. 1703 Session of 1989
INTRODUCED BY MORRIS, BRANDT, MELIO, TRICH, COLAIZZO, HALUSKA,
CHADWICK, RUDY, MAINE, LaGROTTA, LEH, JOHNSON, ALLEN AND
HAYES, JUNE 19, 1989
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
JUNE 19, 1989
AN ACT
1 Providing for the establishment of a model program on
2 agriculture in urbanizing areas; conferring powers and duties
3 on the Department of Agriculture; and making an
4 appropriation.
5 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6 hereby enacts as follows:
7 Section 1. Short title.
8 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Agriculture
9 at the Rural-Urban Interface Act.
10 Section 2. Definitions.
11 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
12 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
13 context clearly indicates otherwise:
14 "Department." The Department of Agriculture of the
15 Commonwealth.
16 "Program." The Program for Agriculture at the Rural-Urban
17 Interface authorized under section 3.
18 Section 3. Program.
1 The department shall coordinate with The Pennsylvania State
2 University and the Rodale Research Institute to develop the
3 Program for Agriculture at the Rural-Urban Interface. The
4 program shall be designed to devise and implement techniques for
5 communities trying to maintain agriculture in rapidly urbanizing
6 areas. The program shall have the following components:
7 (1) Community consultation. The program shall ensure
8 cooperation with community groups and organizations;
9 (i) to identify key agricultural and socio-economic
10 problems that constrain the continuation of farming;
11 (ii) to develop strategies to address issues such as
12 water quality and pesticide safety; and
13 (iii) to assist in the implementation of strategies
14 developed under subparagraph (ii).
15 (2) Information clearinghouse. The program shall collect
16 information on relevant research, existing programs and
17 possible strategies to assist farmers and communities.
18 (3) Research. The program shall develop a series of
19 expert systems software packages specifically designed for
20 farmers.
21 Section 4. Report.
22 The Rodale Research Institute shall submit an annual report
23 to the department on the activities, progress and goals of the
24 program.
25 Section 5. Appropriation.
26 The sum of $500,000, or as much thereof as may be necessary,
27 is hereby appropriated to the Department of Agriculture for the
28 fiscal year July 1, 1989, to June 30, 1990, to carry out the
29 provisions of this act. This appropriation shall not lapse until
30 June 30, 1991.
19890H1703B2081 - 2 -
1 Section 6. Effective date.
2 This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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