Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Agency." The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.
"Agricultural products." Crops, livestock and livestock products, and commodities, including, but not limited to:
(1) Field crops, including corn, wheat, oats, rye,
barley, hay, potatoes and dry beans.
(2) Fruits, including apples, peaches, grapes, cherries
and berries.
(3) Vegetables, including tomatoes, snap beans, cabbage,
carrots, beets, onions and mushrooms.
(4) Horticultural specialties, including nursery stock,
ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees and flowers.
(5) Cattle, sheep, hogs, goats, horses, poultry,
furbearing animals, milk, eggs and furs.
(6) Timber, wood and other wood products derived from
trees.
(7) Aquatic plants and animals and their by-products.
(8) Products derived from any of the above and other
products derived from the business of farming, including such
other products as may be manufactured, derived or prepared
from the heretofore mentioned products, raw or processed,
which are used as food for man or animals.
"Family farm." The real property of a farm owned by members of an immediate family or by a family farm corporation used for the production, for commercial purposes, of agricultural products.
"Family farm corporation." A corporation of which at least 75% of its assets are devoted to the business of agriculture and at least 75% of each class of stock of the corporation is continuously owned by members of the immediate family.
"Immediate family member." A spouse, child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, brother, stepbrother, sister, stepsister or like relative-in-law of an owner of real property.
"Mixed practice of veterinary medicine." As described by the American Veterinary Medical Association, that type of clinical veterinary practice or consultation which deals with more than one categorical species, including, but not limited to, agricultural animals.
"Practice of veterinary medicine." The practice in the field of veterinary medicine by any person qualified by educational training and experience in the science and techniques of veterinary medicine and who is currently licensed to practice veterinary medicine by the Pennsylvania State Board of Veterinary Medicine under the act of December 27, 1974 (P.L.995, No.326), known as the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.
"Qualified applicant." A resident of this Commonwealth who meets the criteria in all of the following paragraphs:
(1) Holds:
(i) a degree in a field related to the production of
agricultural products from an accredited college or
university;
(ii) a current certification under the Department of
Education's Certification and Staffing Policies and
Guidelines Number 30-Agriculture Certification or a
successor document; or
(iii) a degree in the field of veterinary medicine,
from an accredited college or university.
(2) Has commenced:
(i) the first year of full-time employment or work
on a family farm on or after July 1, 1991;
(ii) the first year of full-time employment teaching
an agricultural curriculum at the elementary or secondary
level in a public or private school on or after the
effective date of this subparagraph; or
(iii) the practice of veterinary medicine, a portion
of which activity must be for the protection and
enhancement of agricultural animal health and
productivity, on or after July 1, 1991.
(3) Has:
(i) borrowed through the agency-administered
Guaranteed Student Loan Programs for an educational
institution located in this Commonwealth; or
(ii) for individuals who have commenced work under
paragraph (2)(i) or practice under paragraph (2)(iii),
borrowed through the agency-administered Guaranteed
Student Loan Programs for an accredited college or
university.
"U.S.D.A. certification." Certification by the United States Department of Agriculture that a graduate veterinarian has successfully passed an examination and is certified to sign health certificates allowing the interstate commerce of agricultural animals and animal products as well as the ability to certify regulatory testing such as bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis.
"Veterinary medicine." That branch of medicine which deals with the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, administration, prescription, operation or manipulation or application of any apparatus or appliance for any disease, pain, deformity, defect, injury, wound or physical condition of any animal or for the prevention of or the testing for the presence of any disease.
(2 Amended Nov. 29, 2004, P.L.1392, No.181)