By Mr. Kulik of Worthington, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 800) of Stephen Kulik and others relative to the establishment of a loan program for farmers for marketing agricultural products grown in the Commonwealth.  Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Stephen Kulik

Peter V. Kocot

John W. Scibak

James B. Eldridge

Christine E. Canavan

Jennifer M. Callahan

Anne M. Gobi

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act to protect farm viability.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1.  MassDevelopment is hereby authorized and directed to establish, subject to appropriation, a loan program, to be administered in consultation with the commissioner of the department of agricultural resources, to provide loans on favorable terms and conditions to farmers and groups of farmers for the following purposes:  marketing of agricultural products grown in Massachusetts; development of agricultural producer cooperatives; development or improvement of innovative agricultural enterprises, including but not limited to enterprises producing value-added or organically produced agricultural products; execution of business plans approved by the commissioner of the department of agricultural resources pursuant to the Farm Viability Enhancement Program or similar programs; compliance with environmental laws or regulations; and agricultural activities undertaken by qualified beginning farmers.  In establishing the loan program authorized under this section, MassDevelopment shall utilize, to the extent practicable and appropriate to making available loans on favorable terms and conditions for the purpose described in this section, arrangements with private lending institutions involving linked deposits, loan guarantees, sharing of administrative costs, and other means deemed appropriate by Mass Development.