The bill establishes the Ohio Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force, which is tasked with making recommendations to the General Assembly aimed at expanding and supporting a state, local, and organic food system. The task force will be composed of various members appointed by the Governor, including representatives from state departments, organic farmers, food processors, distributors, educational organizations, and community-based organizations, among others. The Governor is required to make these appointments within sixty days of the bill's effective date, and each member will serve until the task force submits its report.
The task force is charged with developing a comprehensive plan that addresses several key areas, including obstacles to local food production, land preservation opportunities, farmer training, financial incentives for transitioning to organic farming, and strategies to improve food access in underserved communities. The plan must also identify best practices for local food production and any legal barriers that may hinder the growth of local and organic food systems. The task force is required to submit its report to the General Assembly within two years of the bill's effective date, after which it will be dissolved.