(a) The Arkansas Agriculture Department may use its internet resources to:

(1) Promote, create, and expand local farm and food economies in this state;

(2) Maintain a list of local farm or food products and the providers of local farm or food products; and

(3) Facilitate compliance with this subchapter.

(b)

(1) The Arkansas Agriculture Department shall establish a program coordinator position, which shall be responsible for developing partnerships among vendors, agencies, and providers of local farm or food products to support the goals of this subchapter.

(2) The program coordinator shall:

(A) Provide support and assistance to providers of local farm or food products that wish to compete for a contract with an agency by:

(i) Assisting the provider of local farm or food products in developing a business plan;

(ii) Working with distribution representatives; and

(iii) Using available resources, including without limitation agencies and other public and private entities;

(B) Be a resource for agencies to use to assist in tracking and reporting their progress in satisfying the procurement goals stated in this subchapter;

(C) Be a liaison between agencies and providers of local farm or food products to facilitate access to local farm or food products;

(D) Encourage and facilitate involvement and participation in the Farm to School Program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture by working with providers of local farm or food products, vendors, and distributors to assess the need for and availability of local farm and food products; and

(E) Cooperate with the Arkansas Agriculture Department and providers of local farm or food products to promote, encourage, and increase participation in the Arkansas Grown program administered by the Arkansas Agriculture Department.