MS HB547

State agencies may sell or lease unneeded real property (under 5 acres) to nonprofit organizations for cultivating and selling fresh fruits and vegetables, with approval from the Department of Finance and Administration

Nonprofit organizations receiving the property must not be controlled by agricultural, commercial, or other businesses, and must operate within designated agricultural zones established under local government ordinances

Nonprofits may sell produce grown on the property either on-site or off-site, provided sales are related to the nonprofit's purposes and net proceeds are used to further those purposes

Real property sold or leased to qualifying nonprofits for fruit and vegetable cultivation is exempt from all ad valorem taxation (including school, city, and county taxes) as long as the property continues to be used for that purpose

Effective date: July 1, 2021