HB259 - Community Food Forest Program Summary

• Establishes a community food forest program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop a statewide network of locally-directed community food forests in parks, community centers, and other suitable public locations.

• Program shall identify viable locations, examine fiscal impacts, determine appropriate edible plants for each area, implement food forests, provide technical assistance to communities, develop harvesting guidelines, and protect public health and safety.

• Authorizes the department to lease public land or improvements to county agencies or community-based organizations at nominal consideration for up to 15 years without public auction for managing community food forests.

• Requires the department to collaborate with stakeholders including county governments, the Department of Agriculture, and community organizations, and report to the legislature before each regular session starting in 2018.

• Appropriates funding to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 to establish and operate the community food forest program.