Database of State Alternative Agriculture Laws
        Prepared by Whitney Chamberlin, John Sullivan, and Nan Kim
                                     


     For over a year, The Center for Policy Alternatives has researched
state laws around the country pertaining to alternative agriculture. The
result of this study is a comprehensive database encompassing a wide range
of legislative issues in all fifty states. Included in each entry is the
law's title, cite, year enacted, purpose, and a brief summary of the law's
elements. Laws enacted for the following purposes are included: 
                 pesticide reduction
                 soil conservation
                 water quality
                 public health
                 energy conservation
                 farmland preservation
                 general assistance
                 financial assistance
                 technical assistance
                 market assistance
                 general sustainable agriculture
                 organic food production
                 research
                 nutrient reduction
                 environmental protection
                 farmer safety

     However, CPA deliberately excluded from the database laws which are
found in every state. For example, one will not find mandates for soil
conservation districts or pesticide registration in this directory unless
the law incorporates a unique or innovative twist on normal state
requirements. In addition, we have made the directory easier to use by
italicizing those clauses which specifically encourage alternative
practices. If the title of an act appears in italics, then the entire law
qualifies as such. 

     The directory will soon be available on the Internet where users may
cross reference laws using the title, cite, purpose, or any other word
appearing in the entry. Users will also be able to make comments and
additions as new laws are enacted. To keep the database updated, we
encourage you to direct any suggestions or amendments to either Whitney
Chamberlin or Jeffrey Tryens at the Center for Policy Alternatives. 



Acknowledgements

     The Center for Policy Alternatives gratefully acknowledges the
foundation support of the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Rockefeller
Brothers Fund. Special thanks to the following members of our Agriculture
Advisory Board for their continued support of our work: Roger Blobaum,
Blobaum and Associates; Steve Bonney, Indiana Sustainable Agriculture
Association; Nancy Bushwick- Malloy; Delegate Thomas Hattery, Maryland
House of Delegates; Ferd Hoefner, Sustainable Agriculture Working Group;
Polly Hoppin, World Wildlife Fund - USA; Jamie Horwitz, The Pew Charitable
Trusts; Patricia Jensen, United States Department of Agriculture; Paul
Johnson, Soil Conservation Service, USDA; Sandy New, Sin Fronteras
Organizing Project; Ross Racine, The Intertribal Agriculture Association;
Tony Ricci; Melbah Smith, Federation of Southern Cooperatives;
Commissioner Sarah Vogel, North Dakota Department of Agriculture; Greg
Watson, The Nature Conservancy; Richard Wiles, The Environmental Exchange;
Renee Robinson, Illinois Stewardship Alliance; Dr. Garth Youngberg,
Wallace Institute; and Tara Zadeh, Massachusetts Department of Food and
Agriculture. Thanks also to the staff of Georgetown University Law Center
for the use of their facilities.