Resolve, To Target Job Creation in the Agricultural Sector To Improve the Stability and Economic Strength of Rural Maine

Sec. 1. Task force; study. Resolved: That the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources and the Department of Labor shall jointly create a task force to study the challenges confronting the State's agricultural sector and the opportunities to enhance development in traditional agriculture, new niche agricultural growth and creative, innovative expansion of agricultural opportunities; and be it further

Sec. 2. Task force; members. Resolved: That the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources and the Department of Labor shall jointly invite the participation as members of the task force under section 1 of persons with expertise in traditional agriculture, innovative niche agriculture, agricultural economics and entrepreneurship training and representatives of the University of Maine System, the Maine Community College System and organizations representing various agricultural sectors of the State's economy. The Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall appoint the chair and call the first meeting of the task force; and be it further

Sec. 3. Duties. Resolved: That the task force created under section 1 shall:

1. Identify opportunities to create jobs in the agricultural sector;

2. Identify barriers that prevent the growth of jobs in the agricultural sector;

3. Develop short-term and long-term strategies for implementation by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources and the Department of Labor to address the barriers to growth and to create job growth in the agricultural sector; and

4. Submit to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agriculture, conservation and forestry matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over labor, commerce, research and economic development matters by January 15, 2012 an interim report on its findings under subsections 1 to 3 and by January 15, 2013 a final report on the effectiveness of the strategies under subsection 3.

summary

This resolve requires the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources and the Department of Labor to invite the participation of a task force to develop strategies to identify barriers to and create job growth in the agricultural sector.