HOUSE BILL 290

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

George Dodge, Jr.

AN ACT

RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION; REQUIRING BUSINESS SKILLS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRAINING IN ALL AGRICULTURE-RELATED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AT PUBLIC POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND THROUGH THE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] AGRICULTURE CERTIFICATE OR DEGREE PROGRAMS--COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE--BUSINESS TRAINING.--

          A. Each public post-secondary educational institution that offers certificate or degree programs in agriculture-related fields of study shall include business skills and economic development courses targeted for future farmers, ranchers and agricultural entrepreneurs.

          B. The cooperative extension service shall provide business skills and economic development training targeted to farmers, ranchers and agricultural entrepreneurs. The service may provide business skills and economic development training in the cooperative extension office in each county, may combine training in two or more counties or may take advantage of farm and ranch organizations' conferences and annual meetings to provide training.

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2016.

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