Bill Seeks Task Force For Locally Grown Foods

Rural development advocates are seeking passage of a bill that could lead to the expansion of smaller farms and food production in Kansas communities.

The bill would create an 18-member task force to explore options for helping the production of locally grown food. A hearing on the proposal is scheduled for Wednesday in the Senate Agriculture Committee.

The task force would develop a plan for expanding food systems and removing any obstacles that impede farmers and food producers from developing locally grown crops and products. Such obstacles can include funding, distribution and processing.

The task force would begin meeting in September and end its work in December 2015, making a report to the Legislature at the start of the 2016 session.