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2000 SESSION


CHAPTER 536
An Act to amend and reenact § 3.1-73.5 of the Code of Virginia, relating to farmers markets.
[H 1038]
Approved April 6, 2000

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 3.1-73.5 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 3.1-73.5. Commissioner to manage farmers market operations.

A. In order to establish, operate and maintain a network of farmers markets within the Commonwealth, the Commissioner or his designee shall have the authority to carry out the provisions of this article, including the power to:

1. Employ such personnel as necessary to operate the system of markets in accordance with the Virginia Personnel Act (§ 2.1-110 et seq.);

2. Receive and dispense funds;

3. Develop and manage a program budget for the farmers market network;

4. Provide marketing and promotional services for the farmers market network;

5. Develop detailed technical plans for, acquire or build, and manage the farmers market network;

6. Conduct such studies as are necessary to ensure the success of the farmers market network;

7. Acquire necessary insurance, licenses, and permits for the operation of the market network;

8. Make contracts and agreements and execute other instruments necessary for the operation of the farmers market network;

9. Enter into agreements with and accept grants from any governmental agency in furtherance of this article;

10. Enter into joint ventures with cities, towns, counties or combinations thereof in developing wholesale, shipping point, and retail farmers markets; and

11. Rent or purchase land and facilities as deemed necessary to establish markets or to enhance farmers market development.

B. If a market in the network is operated pursuant to a contract between the Commissioner and the market operator, such contract shall require that the operator annually submit to the Commissioner and the Board a plan for, and a report on, the operation of the market. The plan shall describe the operator’s goals for the coming year as to the acreage to be served by the market, the types of crops to be sold at the market, and the number of brokers, buyers and producers to utilize the market. The report shall describe the extent to which the goals for the previous year were met. The Commissioner shall annually submit a report summarizing the market operators’ reports and plans to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Agriculture, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources, the House Committee on Appropriations, and the Senate Committee on Finance.