Agency: Agriculture

Line Item: Plant Industry

Background

This line item was created by the 2013 Legislature by transferring some of the programs from the Administration line item.

Funding Detail

For more detail about a particular source of finance or organizational unit, click a linked entry in the left column of the table(s) below.

Program: Environmental Quality

Function

This program provides incentive funding assistance to farmers and ranchers to voluntarily implement structural and management practices which help prevent animal waste and soil sediment from entering the state's water in priority watersheds. Funds are also used in conjunction with private and other government resources. This program is divided into three areas: Watershed Management, Groundwater Management, and Information and Education. Assistance is given to farmers and ranchers to meet the mandates of the federal Clean Water Act and the water quality rules of the State of Utah.

The conservation arm of this program helps farmers and ranchers protect the state's soil and water resources through soil conservation and water quality programs, coordination of the ARDL (Agriculture Resource Development Loan) program, the EPA 319 Water Quality program, rangeland monitoring, and a groundwater monitoring program.

Funding Detail

Federal funds are granted to assist irrigators in improving irrigation efficiency. The funding is also for protecting water quality and for promoting specialty crops relating to groundwater salinity. The improved irrigation reduces saline waters from entering the Colorado River System.

Program: Grain Inspection

Function

All grain may be officially inspected and graded to U.S. standards. These services are provided on a fee basis to grain elevators, flour mills, farmers, and others. Being funded mostly by Dedicated Credits, the program has some flexibility to adjust its size to meet the demands of the industry.

Statutory Authority

Grain inspection services are provided under authority of UCA 4-2 and under the authority of the Federal Grain Inspection Service.

Funding Detail

Program: Insect Infestation

Function

State law mandates an effective control of insects that are harmful to agricultural production in Utah. The law further provides quarantine powers to the Commissioner to prevent the spread or invasion of plant pests and disease. Program employees perform insect and invasive species surveys.

Statutory Authority

The following chapters of UCA 4 govern operation of this program:

• Chapter 11, Bee Inspection Act
• Chapter 35, Insect Infestation Emergency Control Act
• Chapter 36, Pest Control Compact

Funding Detail

Program: Plant Industry

Function

The Plant Industry program performs a wide scope of inspection, regulatory and enforcement activities, including: pesticide product registration; fertilizer product registration and sampling; nursery licensing and inspection; inspection and grading of fresh fruits and vegetables; USDA Restricted Use pesticide record auditing; Utah Noxious Weed Act enforcement; animal feed product registration and sampling; and seed inspection and sampling. District compliance specialists perform inspections and regulatory functions throughout the state. Seasonal personnel are employed as needed. Office personnel are utilized to handle the registrations and licensing for the division.

The pesticide program includes applicator certification, pesticide enforcement, worker protection standards, endangered species protection, and groundwater protection.

Statutory Authority

The following chapters of UCA 4 govern operation of this program:

• Chapter 12, Utah Commercial Feed Act
• Chapter 13, Utah Fertilizer Act
• Chapter 14, Utah Pesticide Control Act
• Chapter 15, Utah Nursery Act
• Chapter 16, Utah Seed Act
• Chapter 17, Utah Noxious Weed Act

Performance

Staff inspectors sample fertilizer, animal feed, seed, and conducts pesticide enforcement to determine truth in labeling and assure consumer protection. The goal is to reduce the amount of violations and to assure consumer protection.

Funding Detail