3 Pa.C.S. Ch. 48

in effect

3 Pa.C.S. § 4801 Short title of chapter.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Agricultural Business Development Center Act.

3 Pa.C.S. § 4802 Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Advisory committee." The Agricultural Business Development Center Advisory Committee established under section 4805 (relating to Agricultural Business Development Center Advisory Committee). "Center." The Agricultural Business Development Center established under section 4803 (relating to establishment). "Fund." The Agricultural Business Development Center Fund established under section 4810 (relating to Agricultural Business Development Center Fund).

3 Pa.C.S. § 4803 Establishment.

The Agricultural Business Development Center is established in the department, which shall staff and operate the center. Cross References. Section 4803 is referred to in section 4802 of this title.

3 Pa.C.S. § 4804 Purpose.

The department shall operate the center for the following purposes: (1) To provide farmers and prospective farmers a resource and reference center for creating business plans and management strategies to enhance the long-term economic viability of a farm. (2) To provide farmers a resource and reference center for creating plans for the transition of ownership and operation of a farm to new owners and operators. (3) To provide farmers a resource and reference center for creating plans for transfer of ownership and operation of a farm within the farmer's family. (4) To provide a resource and reference center for helping a farmer diversify an existing agricultural operation to new or different forms of agricultural production, including on-farm value-added processing and agritourism. (5) To provide persons who own or operate farms that are subject to perpetual agricultural conservation easements acquired under the act of June 30, 1981 (P.L.128, No.43), known as the Agricultural Area Security Law, resources to help maintain the long-term economic viability of the farms and protect the investment of public funds in preserving the farms for agricultural production. (6) To provide a resource and reference center for persons planning a farm expansion or seeking financing for farm growth. (7) To help identify and build teams of planning facilitators, accountants, financial planners, lenders, marketers, conservation and nutrient management planners and veterinarians who can provide expertise. (8) To devise, award and administer grants to farmers, prospective farmers and others.

3 Pa.C.S. § 4805 Agricultural Business Development Center Advisory Committee.

(a) Establishment.--There is established the Agricultural Business Development Center Advisory Committee to advise the secretary with respect to the secretary's responsibilities under this chapter. (b) Membership.--The advisory committee shall consist of the following members: (1) The secretary, who shall serve as chairperson. (2) The secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development or a designee. (3) The dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University or a designee. (4) One representative selected annually from each of the following organizations: (i) The Pennsylvania Bankers Association. (ii) A farm credit association servicing clients in this Commonwealth. (iii) The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts. (5) The following individuals appointed by the secretary: (i) A licensed veterinarian whose practice includes food animals. (ii) A person certified to create nutrient management plans. (iii) A certified public accountant. (iv) A financial planner. (v) An attorney. (vi) A farmer who has experience with a farm transition or diversification of the agricultural production of a farm. (c) Terms.-- (1) The term of office for each advisory committee member under subsection (b)(5) shall be three years, except that the initial terms shall be staggered as follows: (i) Two members shall each serve a term of one year. (ii) Two members shall each serve a term of two years. (iii) Two members shall each serve a term of three years. (2) Advisory committee members may be appointed to successive terms at the discretion of the secretary, except that no member may serve more than two three-year terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. (d) Duties.--The advisory committee shall meet as often as necessary to advise the secretary on satisfying the purpose of this chapter and establishing and awarding grants under this chapter. (e) Expenses.--Advisory committee members shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to expenses which are reasonable and necessary in the performance of their duties. Cross References. Section 4805 is referred to in section 4802 of this title.

3 Pa.C.S. § 4806 Grant programs.

(a) Authorization.--The department may establish programs to award grants for the purposes described in this chapter. (b) Grant program standards and requirements.--The following shall apply: (1) The department shall establish grant program standards and requirements for a grant program under this chapter and shall transmit notice of the grant program standards and requirements to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. (2) Grant program standards and requirements shall do the following: (i) Establish eligibility standards for applicants. (ii) Describe the objectives of the grant program, which objectives shall be consistent with this chapter. (iii) Establish caps, limits and restrictions with respect to grant amounts. (iv) Establish an application process and timetable. (v) Present the criteria under which grant applications shall be evaluated by the department. (vi) Establish a timetable within which the department shall award or disapprove a complete grant application. (vii) Establish procedures by which the department shall verify expenditures of grant money by a grant recipient.

3 Pa.C.S. § 4807 Limitation on grants.

(a) Available funding.--Grants shall be awarded to the extent money is made available by the General Assembly. (b) Matching.--Grant amounts shall be limited to 75% of project costs. In-kind support shall not be counted toward an applicant's matching contribution. (c) Conditions.--The secretary may approve a grant in less than the requested amount. The secretary may also impose restrictions or special conditions upon the issuance of the grant.

3 Pa.C.S. § 4808 Disposition of grants.

(a) Written agreement.--The department may require a written agreement describing the terms and conditions of the grant. (b) Return of grant money.--The department may establish criteria under which the secretary may demand the return of all or a portion of the grant money.

3 Pa.C.S. § 4809 Regulations.

The department may promulgate rules and regulations to administer and enforce this chapter.

3 Pa.C.S. § 4810 Agricultural Business Development Center Fund.

(a) Establishment.--The Agricultural Business Development Center Fund is established in the State Treasury as a special fund which shall be an interest-bearing restricted revenue account. Money collected by the department under this chapter or appropriated, given, granted or donated for the purpose established under this chapter by the Commonwealth or any other government or private agency or person shall be deposited into the fund. (b) Appropriation.--Money in the fund is appropriated on a continuing basis to the department for the purpose of administering this chapter. All interest and earnings received from investments or deposits of the money in the fund shall be paid into the account for the purpose authorized by this section. Unexpended money and interest or earnings on the money in the fund may not be transferred or revert to the General Fund but shall remain in the account to be used by the department for the purpose specified under this section. Cross References. Section 4810 is referred to in section 4802 of this title.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=03Fetched: 10/16/2026