3 Pa. Stat. § 2103

Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-92
Section 2103 - Definitions

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Agricultural activity" or "farming." The commercial production of agricultural crops, livestock or livestock products, poultry products, milk or dairy products or fruits and other horticultural products.

"Alternative crop." Crops not normally grown on an annual or rotational basis in this Commonwealth. The term may include crops used to replenish soil nutrients, crops used for animal or human consumption or crops used to reduce reliance on fuel, agricultural chemicals or synthetic fertilizer.

"Board." The Board of Sustainable Agriculture.

"Corporate farm." A corporation formed for the purpose of engaging in agricultural activity or farming which is not a family farm corporation.

"Department." The Department of Agriculture of the Commonwealth.

"Family farm corporation." A corporation formed for the purpose of farming in which the majority of the voting stock is held by and the majority of the stockholders are natural persons or their spouses or other persons related to the natural persons or their spouses and at least one of the majority stockholders is residing on or actively operating or managing the farm and none of the stockholders of which are corporations.

"Family farm partnership." A general partnership entered into for the purpose of farming, having no more than three unrelated members and having at least one member residing on or actively operating or managing the farm.

"Farm enterprise." A natural person, family farm corporation, family farm partnership engaged in farming or a corporate farm or nonprofit educational organization.

"Farmland." Land in this Commonwealth that is capable of supporting the commercial production of agricultural crops, livestock or livestock products, poultry products, milk or dairy products, fruit or other horticultural products.

"Fund." The Sustainable Agriculture Fund.

"Nonprofit educational institution." Any State-owned or State-related college or university in this Commonwealth or any nonprofit organization, association or group in this Commonwealth which:

(1) Has demonstrated a capacity to conduct agricultural research or education programs;
(2) Has experience in research or education in sustainable agricultural practices; and
(3) Qualifies as a nonprofit organization under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ( Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.).

"Secretary." The Secretary of Agriculture of the Commonwealth.

"Sustainable agriculture." An integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will over the long term:

(1) Satisfy human food and fiber needs.
(2) Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends.
(3) Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls.
(4) Sustain the economic viability of farm operations.
(5) Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.

3 P.S. § 2103

1994, Dec. 12, P.L. 891, No. 129, § 3, effective in 60 days.