267A.3 Local food and farm program council.

1. A local food and farm program council is established to advise the local food and farm program coordinator carrying out the purpose and goals of this chapter as provided in section 267A.1.

2. The council shall be composed of the following voting members:

a. The secretary of agriculture or the secretary’s designee.

b. Members appointed by the designated organizations, at the discretion of the organization, to represent the private sector as follows:

(1) One person by the Iowa farmers union who is involved in local food production.

(2) One person by the Iowa farmers market association.

c. Members appointed by the governor to represent public or private entities involved in local food distribution, marketing, or processing as follows:

(1) One person who is associated with a resource conservation and development office in this state.

(2) One person actively engaged in the distribution of local food to processors, wholesalers, or retailers.

(3) One person from the regional food systems working group who is actively engaged or an expert in local food.

3. A member designated by the secretary of agriculture shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary. A member appointed by an organization shall serve at the pleasure of that organization. A member appointed by the governor shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.

4. The council shall be part of the department. The department shall perform administrative functions necessary for the operation of the council.

5. The council shall elect a chairperson from among its members each year on a rotating basis as provided by the council. The council shall meet on a regular basis and at the call of the chairperson or upon the written request to the chairperson of a majority of the members.

6. The members of the council shall not receive compensation for their services including as provided in section 7E.6. However, the members may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the council if allowed by the council.

7. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum and the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present is necessary for any substantive action to be taken by the council. The majority shall not include any member who has a conflict of interest and a statement by a member that the member has a conflict of interest is conclusive for this purpose. A vacancy in the membership does not impair the duties of the council.

2011 Acts, ch 128, §29, 60

Referred to in §267A.2