I. The commissioner of the department of agriculture, markets, and food shall establish an agricultural nutrient management program. The program shall assist agricultural land and livestock owners with efforts to minimize potential adverse effects on waters of the state resulting from agricultural nutrients including fertilizers, animal manures, and agricultural compost. The purpose of the program shall be to provide educational, technical, and financial assistance to agricultural land owners with implementing best management practices as provided in N.H. Rev. Stat. § 431:34-35, and such other practices deemed necessary to mitigate water pollution. The goal of the program is to assist and enable the continued viability of farming in New Hampshire and the preservation of open space in a manner that is compatible with the state’s public health and environmental objectives. The commissioner shall be authorized to accept grants, gifts, and donations from any public or private sources for the purposes stated in this paragraph.
II. The commissioner shall, within the biennial report pursuant to N.H. Rev. Stat. § 20:7, report to the house environment and agriculture committee, the senate environment committee, the house finance committee, and the senate finance committee. The report shall include:
(a) The use and current status of the fund;
(b) The work accomplished;
(c) The number of grantees and the amount of the grant received by each; and
(d) The effectiveness of the implementation of agricultural best management practices needed to more fully protect water quality.