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 a diverse group of members appointed by the Governor, including representatives from various agricultural sectors, food processing and distribution, educational organizations, and community-based organizations, with a focus on under-represented ethnicities or minority groups. The Governor is required to make these appointments within sixty days of the bill's effective date, and members 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, and strategies to enhance food accessibility in both rural and urban communities. The plan will also identify necessary financial and technical support for transitioning to local and organic farming, building local food infrastructure, and expanding farmers markets and grocery stores in underserved areas. The task force must submit its report to the General Assembly within two years of the bill's effective date, after which it will be dissolved.