i_yfarmers_2017a_2017-10-06t09:03:14z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 10/06/2017

Location: SCR 352

09:06 AM -- Public Comment on Bill Drafts



09:07 AM -- Michael Womochil, Colorado Community College System, testified on the bill drafts. He discussed how Bill Draft #1 would be beneficial to providing work-based learning. Mr. Womochil clarified that his preference would be for Bill Draft #2 to move forward. In response to a question, he said he supports Bill Draft #2 and Bill Draft #6. Mr. Womochil discussed a possible amendment to Bill Draft #6 to clarify the definition of "qualified agriculture business management course."



09:11 AM



Senator Donovan stated she would like to have discussion and hear feedback on Bill Draft #3, but that she does not feel the bill is ready for introduction at this time.



09:12 AM -- Alex Funk, National Young Farmers Coalition, testified on the bill drafts. He discussed the benefits of internships to young and beginning farmers. Mr. Funk discussed his support for Bill Draft #2, and the challenges Bill Draft #1 may present. He stated his support of Bill Draft #4 and Bill Draft #6. He discussed the benefits of Bill Draft #4, and referenced the National Young Farmers Survey. He discussed the importance of succession planning, and how succession planning might be incorporated into Bill Draft #4. Mr. Funk discussed Bill Draft #6, including suggesting the language on page 4, lines 11 to 13, be expanded to include other financial assistance mechanisms, such as tax credits. Mr. Funk also suggested including language in Bill Draft #6 to allow prioritization of applicants who are experiencing financial hardships. He said his organization generally supports the creation of agriculture protections districts, similar to those proposed in Bill Draft #3. Mr. Funk reiterated his support of Bill Draft #2, Bill Draft #4, and Bill Draft #6. Representative Arndt discussed efforts to include agriculture in bills that concern business grant programs in Colorado.



09:22 AM -- Bill Midcap, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified on the bill drafts. He said he would like the opportunity to further discuss the concepts of Bill Draft #3 with Senator Donovan. He discussed the regional differences throughout the state. Mr. Midcap expressed his support of Bill Draft #2, Bill Draft #1, and Bill Draft #4, in that order. He answered questions about why he was not supportive of Bill Draft #6.



09:24 AM -- Meghan Dollar, Colorado Municipal League, testified on Bill Draft #3. She discussed the municipal annexation portion of the bill and stated that it appears to be stricter than other existing municipal annexation laws.



09:25 AM -- Mike Anderson, Northeast Junior College, testified on the bill drafts. He said he is supportive of the concept of the internship program either through Bill Draft #1 or Bill Draft #2. He expressed concern about Bill Draft #1 with regard to the inclusion of the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Service. Mr. Anderson discussed Bill Draft #2. He expressed concerns about the language on page 3 of Bill Draft #2 regarding the length of time for the internship and prohibitions against certain relationships between the business and intern. He discussed the perimeters of existing internship programs and the types of relationships that develop in the agriculture community. He suggested that possibility of the Department of Agriculture developing the specific details regarding the internship program.



Mr. Anderson addressed Bill Draft #4. He expressed concerns about the fiscal note and the funding source for the bill draft. He stated that he thought the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Center could be web-based and not a physical location. Mr. Anderson discussed incorporating other entities that are already in place and tying together resources that are already exist. He suggested amending page 2, lines 15 and 16, to include language about the center acting as clearinghouse to provide awareness of educational programs that are available to young and beginning farmers. Mr. Anderson answered questions about his suggested amendment. Representative Arndt made comments about Bill Draft #4. Mr. Anderson answered questions about the use of the word "full-time" on line 26 of page 2.



Mr. Anderson stated his support for Bill Draft #6. He discussed a possible change to page 2, line 23, regarding the definition of "qualified agriculture business management courses." Mr. Anderson answered questions about how agriculture business management programs could be expanded to various parts of the state. He discussed a possible change to the language on page 4, lines 14 and 15, regarding the application including a plan for future ownership of land to be used in the agriculture industry. Mr. Anderson said that the plan for future ownership may be prohibitive for some young and beginning farmers, especially those who have long-term land leases. He suggested that the bill draft could be changed to include language for a long-term plan for entry into production agriculture. Mr. Anderson discussed including an incentive for institutions of higher education to expand agriculture business management programs. Mr. Anderson answered questions about the suggested amendment to the definition of "qualified agriculture business management course." The committee further discussed Bill Draft #6 with Mr. Anderson.



09:51 AM -- Emily Ibach, Colorado Farm Bureau, said that her organization does not have an official position on the bill drafts. She expressed concerns about Bill Draft #3, including the potential impact an agriculture protection district could have on property values and the threshold for approving the district. Senator Donovan made comments about Bill Draft #3 and how agriculture protection districts could be similar cultural districts that exist in certain parts of the state.



09:57 AM -- Mr. Womochil returned to the table to further discuss Bill Draft #6 with the committee. He discussed the language on page 4, lines 11 to 13, regarding whether an individual has been mandated to complete the qualified agriculture business management course as a condition of a loan. He discussed the agriculture business management program certificates offered by the Colorado Community College System.



09:59 AM



Yelana Love, Office of Legislative Legal Services, discussed language in Bill Draft #6 regarding the State Agricultural Commission awarding grants and giving priority to eligible individuals who are required to complete qualified agriculture business management courses as a condition of receiving a loan. Mr. Womochil discussed other financial aid that students may receive for the courses. Ms. Love responded to questions from the committee about the bill. Mr. Womochil addressed prior questions from the committee about how the agriculture business management courses are offered. He said that they are not campus-based courses, but rather composed of online courses and one-on-one instruction at the farmer's home or electronically. He said he supports the suggested amendments from Mr. Anderson to Bill Draft #4 and Bill Draft #6. A copy of the suggested amendments was distributed to the committee (Attachment L).



171006 AttachL.pdf