                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM TO SUPPORT NEW AND EMERGING CROPS AND
TECHNOLOGIES (§ 3.2-108)

A. From such funds as may be appropriated for such purposes and from gifts,
donations, grants, bequests, and other funds as may be received, the Department
shall establish a program to:

   1. Encourage the production of alternative crops in the Commonwealth that may
   be used as a feedstock for energy generation and transportation, thereby
   supporting farmers and farm communities in their efforts to: (i) sustain and
   enhance economically viable business opportunities in agriculture; (ii) reduce
   nonpoint source pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and other waters of the
   Commonwealth; (iii) restore depleted soils; (iv) provide wildlife habitat; (v)
   reduce greenhouse gases; and (vi) reduce the country&#8217;s dependence on
   foreign supplies of energy;

   2. Assist the development of bioenergy feedstock crop technologies, including
   but not limited to, seed stock supplies, production technology, harvest
   equipment, transportation infrastructure and storage facilities;

   3. Identify and assist in the development of commercially viable bioenergy
   market opportunities, including recruitment, expansion and establishment of
   renewable bioenergy businesses in Virginia; and

   4. Promote the aquaculture of the species that are natives to or reside within
   the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and the Virginia Coast, in concert with the
   efforts of Virginia higher education institutions and the Virginia Marine
   Resources Commission, with a focus on assisting &#8220;traditional
   watermen&#8221; who rely on harvesting marine fish and shellfish. This effort
   shall also include watermen who are viable working participants of the
   aquaculture industry as contract growers, cooperatives or other business
   entities.

B. The Department shall provide funds in the form of grants to accomplish the
objectives described in subsection A. The Department shall develop guidelines
for the operation of the program that shall include, at a minimum, eligibility
criteria for receiving grant awards, financial accountability for receiving
grant awards, allowable uses of grant funds, and agricultural programmatic
priorities. The Department shall consult with the Department of Conservation and
Recreation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture&#8217;s Natural Resources
Conservation Service, when appropriate, to ensure compatibility with existing
cost-share and other agricultural incentive programs.

HISTORY: 2007, c. 806, § 3.1-14.5; 2008, c. 860.