Title 7AgricultureRelease 119-73

§3004 Direct marketing assistance within the States

Title 7 › Chapter CHAPTER 63— - FARMER–TO–CONSUMER DIRECT MARKETING › § 3004

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Provides money to state agriculture departments and to the Secretary of Agriculture to help farmers sell straight to consumers. The funds must be given to states based on how likely direct marketing is to work there compared to other states. Inside each state, the money is split between the state agency and the Secretary depending on the types of help needed, as the Secretary decides. The money must pay for work that starts, grows, or coordinates direct sales. That includes running conferences to share information; gathering laws, model rules, site ideas, and how-to guides; and giving technical help to people who want to set up direct sales. The Secretary must also train farmers’ market managers and extension staff, help managers share information, and work with producers to develop markets. Consumer needs and preferences must be considered.

Full Legal Text

Title 7, §3004

Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In order to promote the establishment and operation of direct marketing from farmers to consumers, the Secretary shall provide that funds appropriated to carry out this section be utilized by State departments of agriculture and the Secretary for the purpose of conducting or facilitating activities which will initiate, encourage, develop, or coordinate methods of direct marketing from farmers to consumers within or among the States. Such funds shall be allocated to a State on the basis of the feasibility of direct marketing from farmers to consumers within that State as compared to other States and shall be allocated within a State to the State department of agriculture and to the Secretary on the basis of the types of activities which are needed in the State, as determined by the Secretary. The activities shall include, but shall not be limited to—
(1)sponsoring conferences which are designed to facilitate the sharing of information (among farm producers, consumers, and other interested persons or groups) concerning the establishment and operation of direct marketing from farmers to consumers;
(2)compiling laws and regulations relevant to the conduct of the various methods of such direct marketing within the State, formulating drafts of enabling legislation needed to facilitate such direct marketing, determining feasible locations for additional facilities for such direct marketing, and preparing and disseminating practical information on the establishment and operation of such direct marketing; and
(3)providing technical assistance for the purpose of aiding interested individuals or groups in the establishment of arrangements for direct marketing from farmers to consumers.
(b)The Secretary shall—
(1)work with the Governor of a State, and a State agency designated by the Governor, to develop programs to train managers of farmers’ markets;
(2)develop opportunities to share information among managers of farmers’ markets;
(3)establish a program to train cooperative extension service employees in the development of direct marketing techniques; and
(4)work with producers to develop farmers’ markets.
(c)In the implementation of this section, the Secretary shall take into account consumer preferences and needs which may bear upon the establishment and operation of arrangements for direct marketing from farmers to consumers.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2002—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–171, § 10605(b)(2)(A), substituted “Secretary for the purpose” for “Extension Service of the United States Department of Agriculture for the purpose”, “Secretary on the basis” for “Extension Service on the basis”, and “, as determined by the Secretary” for “and on the basis of which of these two agencies, or combination thereof, can best perform these activities”. Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 107–171, § 10605(b)(2)(B), (C), added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (c).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

7 U.S.C. § 3004

Title 7Agriculture

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73