7 U.S.C. § 3004 : US Code - Section 3004: Direct marketing assistance within the States

Search 7 U.S.C. § 3004 : US Code - Section 3004: Direct marketing assistance within the States

(a) In general
In order to promote the establishment and operation of direct
marketing from farmers to consumers, the Secretary shall provide
that funds appropriated to carry out this section be utilized by
State departments of agriculture and the Secretary for the purpose
of conducting or facilitating activities which will initiate,
encourage, develop, or coordinate methods of direct marketing from
farmers to consumers within or among the States. Such funds shall
be allocated to a State on the basis of the feasibility of direct
marketing from farmers to consumers within that State as compared
to other States and shall be allocated within a State to the State
department of agriculture and to the Secretary on the basis of the
types of activities which are needed in the State, as determined by
the Secretary. The activities shall include, but shall not be
limited to - 
(1) sponsoring conferences which are designed to facilitate the
sharing of information (among farm producers, consumers, and
other interested persons or groups) concerning the establishment
and operation of direct marketing from farmers to consumers;
(2) compiling laws and regulations relevant to the conduct of
the various methods of such direct marketing within the State,
formulating drafts and enabling legislation needed to facilitate
such direct marketing, determining feasible locations for
additional facilities for such direct marketing, and preparing
and disseminating practical information on the establishment and
operation of such direct marketing; and
(3) providing technical assistance for the purpose of aiding
interested individuals or groups in the establishment of
arrangements for direct marketing from farmers to consumers.
(b) Development of farmers' markets
The Secretary shall - 
(1) work with the Governor of a State, and a State agency
designated by the Governor, to develop programs to train managers
of farmers' markets;
(2) develop opportunities to share information among managers
of farmers' markets;
(3) establish a program to train cooperative extension service
employees in the development of direct marketing techniques; and
(4) work with producers to develop farmers' markets.
(c) Consideration of consumer preferences
In the implementation of this section, the Secretary shall take
into account consumer preferences and needs which may bear upon the
establishment and operation of arrangements for direct marketing
from farmers to consumers.