1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to agricultural trade; providing funding for 
  1.3             an agricultural trade specialist position; 
  1.4             appropriating money.  
  1.5   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.6      Section 1.  [APPROPRIATION; AGRICULTURAL TRADE SPECIALIST.] 
  1.7      $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the 
  1.8   commissioner of agriculture for the biennium ending June 30, 
  1.9   2003, for purposes of employing and supporting, or contracting 
  1.10  for the services of, an agricultural trade specialist.  The 
  1.11  trade specialist must demonstrate thorough knowledge of 
  1.12  Minnesota agricultural producers and products and opportunities 
  1.13  for developing or expanding both broad and niche agricultural 
  1.14  product markets nationally and internationally.  The trade 
  1.15  specialist must coordinate efforts with market development and 
  1.16  trade experts of the world trade center and other public and 
  1.17  private Minnesota entities involved in marketing Minnesota 
  1.18  products.  To the extent practicable, the trade specialist must 
  1.19  provide specific assistance to small agricultural producers and 
  1.20  producers that would benefit from the development of 
  1.21  international markets. 
  1.22     This is a one-time appropriation that remains available 
  1.23  until expended.