To create the Local Farming Task Force to develop recommendations of policies and funding that are necessary to encourage local farming in Ohio.

Section 1. (A) There is hereby created the Local Farming Task Force consisting of the following seventeen members:

(1) The Director of Agriculture or the Director's designee;

(2) The Director of Commerce or the Director's designee;

(3) One member representing organic dairy farming, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4) One member representing organic vegetable farming, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(5) One member representing organic grain farming, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(6) One member representing organic cattle farming, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(7) Two members representing the organic processing industry, one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one member appointed by the President of the Senate;

(8) One member representing organic food distributors and one member representing nonorganic food distributors, both members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(9) One member representing food retailers in the state, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(10) One member representing consumers, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(11) Two members representing farm organizations in the state, one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one member appointed by the President of the Senate;

(12) One member representing The Ohio State University Extension, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(13) Two members representing different municipal corporations in the state, one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one member appointed by the President of the Senate;

(14) One member who specializes in the preparation and cooking of locally grown organic food, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(B) Appointments to the Task Force shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this act. The members of the Task Force shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among its members.

The members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Serving as a member of the Task Force does not constitute holding a public office or position of employment under the laws of this state and does not constitute grounds for removal of public officers or employees from their offices or positions of employment.

The Task Force shall meet as often as necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities. The Department of Agriculture shall provide technical assistance to the Task Force.

(C) The Task Force shall study issues related to local farming in this state in order to recommend policies and funding that are necessary to encourage local farming in this state.

Not later than one hundred eighty days after the appointment of the members, the Task Force shall prepare and submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate. On submission of the report, the Task Force shall cease to exist.