Section 2-3-24

State Farmers' Market Committee - Creation; composition.

To assist and advise the Board of Agriculture and Industries in carrying out its responsibilities prescribed in this article, there is hereby created the State Farmers' Market Committee, which shall consist of seven members as follows:

(1) The Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, or at his discretion, a full-time employee of the state Department of Agriculture and Industries.

(2) The Director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, or at his discretion, a full-time employee of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service.

(3) The President of the Alabama Farmers Federation or at his discretion, a full-time employee of the federation.

(4) One member to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Alabama.

(5) One member to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Alabama.

(6) Two members to be appointed by the Governor of Alabama. One member's primary occupation shall be the production of fresh fruits and vegetables and the other member's primary occupation shall be a wholesale or retail merchant of agricultural or agriculture related products.

Term of office of the respective members representing the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, and the Alabama Farmers Federation shall be for the duration of the term of office of said Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, the Director of the Cooperative Extension Service, and the President of the Alabama Farmers Federation. The first term of office of the members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House shall be for two years. The term of office of the two members appointed by the Governor shall be for four years. Any successive appointments of those members appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or the Speaker of the House shall be for a period of four years.

The Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries or his appointed representative shall serve as secretary to the committee and shall also preside as chairman until such time as a chairman can be routinely elected. The committee shall meet as often as necessary on call of the chairman. Members shall receive mileage, per diem, and subsistence as is provided by law for state boards, committees, and commissions for attending meetings of the committee. Provided, however, that the committee shall meet at least quarterly and the first meeting of the committee shall be within 30 days from the appointment of the committee members.

(Acts 1984, No. 84-239, p. 360, §4; Acts 1992, No. 92-108, §1.)