3.2-108 - Department to establish a program to support new and emerging crops and technologies.
§ 3.2-108. Department to establish a program to support new and emergingcrops and technologies.
A. From such funds as may be appropriated for such purposes and from gifts,donations, grants, bequests, and other funds as may be received, theDepartment shall establish a program to:
1. Encourage the production of alternative crops in the Commonwealth that maybe used as a feedstock for energy generation and transportation, therebysupporting farmers and farm communities in their efforts to: (i) sustain andenhance economically viable business opportunities in agriculture; (ii)reduce nonpoint source pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and other waters ofthe Commonwealth; (iii) restore depleted soils; (iv) provide wildlifehabitat; (v) reduce greenhouse gases; and (vi) reduce the country'sdependence on foreign supplies of energy;
2. Assist the development of bioenergy feedstock crop technologies, includingbut not limited to, seed stock supplies, production technology, harvestequipment, transportation infrastructure and storage facilities;
3. Identify and assist in the development of commercially viable bioenergymarket opportunities, including recruitment, expansion and establishment ofrenewable bioenergy businesses in Virginia; and
4. Promote the aquaculture of the species that are natives to or residewithin the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and the Virginia Coast, in concertwith the efforts of Virginia higher education institutions and the VirginiaMarine Resources Commission, with a focus on assisting "traditionalwatermen" who rely on harvesting marine fish and shellfish. This effortshall also include watermen who are viable working participants of theaquaculture industry as contract growers, cooperatives or other businessentities.
B. The Department shall provide funds in the form of grants to accomplish theobjectives described in subsection A. The Department shall develop guidelinesfor the operation of the program that shall include, at a minimum,eligibility criteria for receiving grant awards, financial accountability forreceiving grant awards, allowable uses of grant funds, and agriculturalprogrammatic priorities. The Department shall consult with the Department ofConservation and Recreation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's NaturalResources Conservation Service, when appropriate, to ensure compatibilitywith existing cost-share and other agricultural incentive programs.
(2007, c. 806, § 3.1-14.5; 2008, c. 860.)