§ 4964. Agricultural Innovation Board

(a) Creation. There is created the Agricultural Innovation Board that shall:

(1) Review historic recommendations for pesticide reduction in the State and coordinate with existing work groups to avoid submitting to the General Assembly conflicting policy recommendations on the regulation of pesticides and farming.

(2) Recommend practices that reduce the use of and exposure to pesticides and synthetic fertilizers in order to protect soil biology, human health, and environmental health, including recommended targets to achieve the State goal of an overall reduction in the use of pesticides consistent with sound pest or vegetative management practices.

(3) Advise the Executive Branch and the General Assembly with respect to legislation concerning the use of agricultural pest control measures and integrated pest management.

(4) Recommend to the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets policies, proposed rules, or legislation for the regulation of the use of treated articles when the Board determines that use of a treated article will have a hazardous or long-term deleterious effect on the environment in Vermont, presents a likely risk to human health, or is dangerous.

(5) Recommend practices to reduce the use and generation of waste associated with plastic in farming.

(6) Incentivize farming practices that are looking to reduce the use and dependence on pesticides in their practices.

(7) Advise the Agency with regard to the regulation of plant biostimulants.

(8) Recommend studies necessary for the performance of its functions as established under this section.

(9) Explore methods and standards for transitioning farmers to practices that reduce pesticide usage.

(10) Explore methods and standards for farmers to engage in carbon sequestration or mitigation.

(11) Review the seed traits of a new genetically engineered seed proposed for sale, distribution, or use in the State.

(12) Study and issue recommendations regarding the feasibility of the use of biodegradable plastics in agriculture and the promotion of the use of and production of biodegradable plastics and similar products in Vermont.

(b) Organization of the Board.

(1) The Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall convene the Agricultural Innovation Board. Members of the Board who are not serving in an ex officio capacity shall be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets, and the Secretary shall designate a chair from among the members of the Board. The Agricultural Innovation Board shall consist of the following 13 members:

(A) the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets or designee;

(B) an active farmer who is a member of an organization representing the organic farming community;

(C) a member from the University of Vermont Center for Sustainable Agriculture;

(D) the Director of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, Agrichemical Program or designee;

(E) the Director of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, Water Quality Program or designee;

(F) the Commissioner of Health or a designee with expertise in the effects of pesticides on human health;

(G) the Secretary of Natural Resources or designee;

(H) a certified crop consultant;

(I) an active farmer who is a member of an organization representing the conventional dairy industry in Vermont;

(J) an active farmer who is a member of an organization representing fruit or vegetable farmers in Vermont;

(K) an active farmer who is a member of an organization representing grass-based, non-dairy livestock farming in Vermont;

(L) a soil biologist; and

(M) a member of an environmental organization that advocates for policy regarding the management or reduction of toxic substances in the State.

(2) Members of the Agricultural Innovation Board shall be appointed for terms of three years, except initially, appointments shall be made such that one member shall serve for a term of one year and one for a term of two years. Members other than ex officio members shall be allowed to serve not more than three consecutive terms.

(3) Members of the Agricultural Innovation Board other than ex officio members and those compensated for their participation on the Board shall be entitled to per diem compensation authorized under 32 V.S.A. § 1010(b) for each day spent in the performance of their duties, and each member shall be reimbursed for his or her actual and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out his or her duties. These payments shall be made from the Pesticide Monitoring Revolving Fund under section 929 of this title.

(4) The Board shall meet no fewer than four times a year.

(c) Powers and duties of the Board. The Agricultural Innovation Board shall:

(1) issue a report annually to the General Assembly on or before January 15 that recommends policy solutions to assist farmers in:

(A) reducing the use of and exposure to pesticides; and

(B) the use of innovative or alternative practices;

(2) propose an annual budget report that provides ideas for funding sources for any new programs recommended in the annual report; and

(3) survey farmers from every county in the State to help better understand how agricultural inputs, such as pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and plastics, are currently used as well as current challenges farmers face in reducing these inputs in order to better inform recommendations to be provided in the annual report required under subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(d) Seed review. The Agricultural Innovation Board shall advise the Secretary regarding the sale, distribution, or use of genetically engineered seed in the State and may recommend to the Secretary limits or conditions on the sale, distribution, or use of a genetically engineered seed or seeds or recommend a limited period of time for sale of a genetically engineered seed or seeds. (Added 2021, No. 49, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2022.)