REFERENCE TITLE: instructional school garden program

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

2023

HB 2349

Introduced by

Representatives Contreras P: Longdon, Ortiz, Seaman, Sun, Terech, Travers

An Act

amending title 3, chapter 1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 3-109.04; relating to the department of agriculture.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 3, chapter 1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 3-109.04, to read:

START_STATUTE3-109.04. Instructional school garden program; duties; fund; definition

A. The instructional school garden program is established to promote, establish and support instructional gardens in schools by eligible education agencies.

B. The Department shall:

1. administer and monitor THE program.

2. Designate a program director.

3. Provide instruction and assistance to eligible education agencies on best PRACTICES and the establishment of a garden.

4. Apply for grANTS OR OTHER FUNDING SOURCES TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM. tHE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEPOSIT, PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 35-146 AND 35-147, ALL MONIES COLLECTED pursuant to this paragraph IN THE farm to SCHOOL GARDEN FUND ESTABLISHED BY subsection E of this SECTION.

5. establish criteria for receiving and evaluating applications FROM eligible education agencies.

C. The department may consult and cooperate with any appropriate public institution of higher education regarding curriculum development and evaluation of the program.

D. Any eligible education agency may apply to the department for funding or assistance in developing aN instructional school garden.

E. the farm to school garden fund is established consisting of monies collected pursuant to this section. Monies in the fund shall be used for the exclusive purpose of implementing, continuing and supporting the instructional school garden program. The director shall administer the fund. Monies in the fund are CONTINUOUSLY appropriated.

F. For the purposes of this section, "eligible education agency" means any school district or county superintendent of schools. END_STATUTE