Volume 90 · 1982
Public Law 94–463
To encourage the direct marketing of agricultural com modifies from farmers to consumers.
Approved October 8, 1976
Statutory text
An Act
To encourage the direct marketing of agricultural com modifies from farmers to consumers.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That this Act may be cited as the “Farmer-to-Con sum er Direct Marketing Act of 1976”.
Sec. 2. purpose
It is the purpose of this Act to promote, through appropriate means and on an economically sustainable basis, the development and expansion of direct marketing of agricultural commodities from farmers to consumers. To accomplish this objective, the Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter referred to as the “Secretary”) shall initiate and coordinate a program designed to facilitate direct marketing from farmers to consumers for the mutual benefit of consumers and farmers.
Sec. 3. definition
For purposes of this Act, the term “direct marketing from farmers to consumers” shall mean the marketing of agricultural commodities at any marketplace (including, but not limited to, roadside stands, city markets, and vehicles used for house-to-house marketing of agricultural commodities) established and maintained for the purpose of enabling farmers to sell (either individually or through a farmers’ organization directly representing the farmers who produced the commodities being sold) their agricultural commodities directly to individual consumers, or organizations representing consumers, in a manner calculated to lower the cost and increase the quality of food to such consumers while providing increased financial returns to the farmers.
Sec. 4. survey
The Secretary shall provide, through the Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, or whatever agency or agencies the Secretary considers appropriate, a continuing survey of existing methods of direct marketing from farmers to consumers in each State. The initial survey, which shall be completed no later than one year following the date of enactment of this Act, shall include the number of types of such marketing methods in existence, the volume of business conducted through each such marketing method, and the impact of such marketing methods upon financial returns to farmers (including their impact upon improving the economic viability of small farmers) and food quality and costs to consumers.
Sec. 5. direct marketing assistance within the states
In order to promote the establishment and operation of direct marketing from farmers to consumers, the Secretary shall provide that funds appropriated to carry out this section be utilized by State departments of agriculture and the Extension Service of the United States Department of Agriculture for the purpose of conducting or facilitating activities which will initiate, encourage, develop, or coordinate methods of direct marketing from farmers to consumers within or among the States. Such funds shall be allocated to a State
Funds, allocation.
on the basis of the feasibility of direct marketing from farmers to consumers within that State as compared to other States and shall be allocated within a State to the State department of agriculture and to the Extension Service on the basis of the types of activities which are needed in the State and on the basis of which of these two agencies, or combination thereof, can best perform these activities. The activities shall include, but shall not be limited to—
sponsoring conferences which are designed to facilitate the sharing of information (among farm producers, consumers, and other interested persons or groups) concerning the establishment and operation of direct marketing from farmers to consumers;
compiling laws and regulations relevant to the conduct of the various methods of such direct marketing within the State, formulating drafts of enabling legislation needed to facilitate such direct, marketing, determining feasible locations for additional facilities for such direct marketing, and preparing and disseminating practical information on the establishment and operation of such direct marketing; and
providing technical assistance for the purpose of aiding interested individuals or groups in the establishment of arrangements for direct marketing from farmers to consumers.
In the implementation of this section, the Secretary shall take into account consumer preferences and needs which may bear upon the establishment and operation of arrangements for direct marketing from farmers to consumers.
Sec. 6. annual report
The Secretary shall periodically review the activities carried
Review; report to congressional committees.
out under this Act and shall report to the Committee on Agriculture, United States House of Representatives, and the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, United States Senate, within one year of the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, with respect to the effectiveness of this Act. The Secretary shall include hi such report a State-by-State summary of the results of the survey conducted under this Act, and a summary of the activities and accomplishments of the Extension Service and the State departments of agriculture in the development of direct marketing from farmers to consumers during the previous year.
Sec. 7. authorization of appropriations
For purposes of carrying out the provisions of sections 4
and 6, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary.
For purposes of carrying out the provisions of section 5, there is authorized to be appropriated $1,500,000 for each of the fiscal years ending September 30, 1977, and September 30, 1978.
Sec. 8. emergency hat program
In carrying out any emergency hay program for farmers or
Transportation costs, repayment.
ranchers in any area of the United States under section 305 of the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 because, of an emergency or major disaster in such area, the President shall direct the Secretary of Agriculture to pay 80 percent of the cost of transporting hay (not to exceed $50 per ton) from areas in which hay is in plentiful supply to the area in which
Expiration and effective dates.
such farmers or ranchers are located. The provisions of this section shall expire on October 1, 1977, and shall become effective on October 1, 1976, or on the date of enactment of this Act, whichever is later.
Approved October 8, 1976.