(A) The department of agriculture may solicit or accept from any public or private source and shall deposit in the state treasury to the credit of the agro Ohio fund any grant, gift, devise, or bequest of money made to or for the use of the department in fulfilling its statutory duties or for promoting any part of the public welfare that is under the supervision and control of the department. The department may also accept and hold on behalf of this state any grant, gift, devise, or bequest of other property made to or for the use of the department or for promoting any part of the public welfare that is under the supervision and control of the department. The department may contract for and carry out the terms and conditions of any devise, grant, gift, or donation that may be so made.

(B) There is hereby created in the state treasury the agro Ohio fund, to which shall be credited all sums received under division (A) of this section, divisions (A)(2) and (C) of section 2105.09 of the Revised Code, and sections 4503.503 and 4503.504 of the Revised Code.

(C) All money received under section 4503.504 of the Revised Code shall be used for the benefit of sustainable agriculture markets in the state as determined by the director of agriculture. Federal money credited to the fund shall be used in accordance with any terms that federal law prescribes for their use. All other money credited to the fund shall be used for the purpose of promoting agriculture in the state as determined by the director.

Amended by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 49, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2017.

Effective Date: 07-05-2002; 2008 HB293 08-14-2008