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Committee Hears Broad Support for Study of Farmers Markets, Sponsor Urges Green Vote
Summary
Senate committee heard extensive proponent testimony for Senate Joint Resolution 11, a study of farmers markets and local food systems. Testimony highlighted regulatory confusion from recent cottage-food laws, economic benefits, food security and regional food access; sponsor recommended a green pass to the Senate floor.
Sen. Bruce "Butch" Gillespie, sponsor of Senate Joint Resolution 11, told the Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Committee that the study would help bridge a growing gap between Montana producers and urban consumers and asked members to advance the resolution to the full Senate.
The measure would convene subject-matter experts to examine Montana law and operations around farmers markets, cooperative food enterprises and related local-food activities. "We rise today in support of SJ 11," Kaly Wicks of Grow Montana told the committee, saying stakeholders had encountered confusion implementing the Local Food Choice Act and "that section of code is a mess," according to Wicks.
Why it matters: Proponents—ranchers, nonprofit networks, food…
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