93.47(2)(2) The council shall report its findings, at least biennially, to agencies and private parties that assist producers of biofuel feedstocks and biofuels, as determined by the council.

93.48(1)(1) The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (am) to individuals or organizations to fund projects that are designed to increase the sale of agricultural products grown in this state that are purchased in close proximity to where they are produced. The department may not award a grant under this section unless the applicant contributes matching funds equal to at least 50 percent of the costs of the project. The department shall promulgate rules for the program under this section.

93.48(2)(2) The department may make grants under this section for any of the following purposes:

93.48(2)(b)(b) To promote the development of regional food systems through activities such as creating or expanding facilities for the processing and distribution of food for local consumption; creating or supporting networks of producers; and strengthening connections between producers, retailers, institutions, and consumers and nearby producers.

93.48593.485 Tribal elder community food box program. From the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (k), the department shall provide grants to one or more nonprofit food assistance organizations for the purpose of purchasing and distributing food to tribal elders and for the purpose of supporting the growth and operations of food producers participating in the program under this section.

93.49(1)(1) Definition. In this section, “farm to school program” means a program to connect schools with nearby farms to provide children with locally produced fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and other nutritious, locally produced foods in school breakfasts, lunches, and snacks; help children develop healthy eating habits; provide nutritional and agricultural education; and improve farmers’ incomes and direct access to markets.

93.49(2)(2) Department responsibilities.

93.49(2)(a)(a) The department shall promote farm to school programs. The department shall encourage schools, as part of farm to school programs, to purchase food produced in this state and to provide nutritional and agricultural education, including farm visits, cooking demonstrations, and composting and gardening at schools.

93.49(2)(b)(b) The department shall do all of the following in carrying out its responsibilities under par. (a):

93.49(2)(b)1.1. Identify impediments to providing locally produced fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and other nutritious, locally produced foods in school breakfasts, lunches, and snacks and seek to reduce those impediments.

93.49(2)(b)2.2. Advise other state agencies and local agencies on actions to promote farm to school programs and coordinate the department’s activities under this subsection with related activities of other state agencies, including the department of public instruction and the department of health services, local agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

93.49(2)(b)3.3. Promote communications between local farmers and schools and sales of food from local farmers to schools.

93.49(2)(b)4.4. Conduct training and provide technical assistance for school food service personnel and managers, farmers, and food distributors and processors concerning farm to school programs and food safety and procurement.

93.49(3)(3) Grant program.

93.49(3)(a)(a) From the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (as), the department shall provide grants to school districts, in coordination with the department of public instruction, and to nonprofit organizations, farmers, and any other entities for the creation and expansion of farm to school programs. The department shall give preference to proposals that are innovative or that provide models that other school districts can adopt.

93.49(3)(b)(b) The department may provide funding under this subsection for projects that do any of the following:

93.49(3)(b)1.1. Create, expand, diversify, or promote production, processing, marketing, and distribution of food produced in this state for sale to schools in this state.

93.49(3)(b)2.2. Create, expand, or renovate facilities, including purchases of equipment for the facilities, that would ensure the use of food produced in this state in schools in this state.

93.49(3)(b)3.3. Provide, expand, or promote training for food service personnel, farmers, and distributors.