S AGR SCR ORG1 3-3

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 79

(By Senators Miller, Williams, Laird, Cookman, Beach, D. Hall, Nohe and Sypolt)

[Originating in the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance conduct a study of topics related to developing cottage food industries and small farms in West Virginia, focusing on raw milk, charcuterie, heritage chickens and other animals, goat farming and goat cheese, beekeeping, maple syrup and honey, high tunnel crops, niche crops and flowers, specialized aquaculture and hobby farming.

    Whereas, The term “cottage food industries” helps describe many of the small and local home-based food businesses that are cropping up throughout the country; and

    Whereas, Cottage foods started expanding in 2007 and throughout the Great Recession to help people find easier ways to make some additional income, with the side benefit of helping local economies; and

    Whereas, As the local food movement has become more popular, more states have added or improved cottage food laws to allow these small farm and home food businesses to exist legally; and

    Whereas, Most cottage food laws have limitations such as what types of products are allowed, where a business can sell and how much they can sell in a year; and

    Whereas, Consumer dollars spent on local cottage food industries stay in the state’s economy and continue to circulate, creating jobs and opportunities throughout our communities; and

     Whereas, Awareness of the importance of the security of and the availability of access to a reliable local supply of fresh, diverse and interesting food products is also now a consumer preference; and

    Whereas, Promoting the development of cottage food industries and small farms in West Virginia, with a focus on raw milk, charcuterie, heritage chickens and other animals, goat farming and goat cheese, beekeeping, maple syrup and honey, high tunnel crops, niche crops and flowers, specialized aquaculture and hobby farming, will help expand, diversify and improve the agriculture in the state; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to conduct a study of topics related to developing cottage food industries and small farms in West Virginia, focusing on raw milk, charcuterie, heritage chickens and other animals, goat farming and goat cheese, beekeeping, maple syrup and honey, high tunnel crops, niche crops and flowers, specialized aquaculture and hobby farming; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2015, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.