§ 7-56-209 — Agricultural marketing cooperatives

(1) It is hereby recognized
that agriculture is characterized by individual production in contrast to the group or
factory system that characterizes other forms of industrial production; that the
ordinary form of corporate organization permits industrial groups to combine for
the purpose of group production and the ensuing group marketing and that the
public has an interest in permitting producers of agricultural products to bring to
their industry the high degree of efficiency and merchandising skill evidenced in
the manufacturing industries; that the public interest urgently needs to prevent the
migration from rural to urban communities in order to enhance production of
agricultural products and to preserve the agricultural supply of the nation; that the
public interest demands that producers of agricultural products be encouraged to
attain a more efficient system of marketing their products and procurement of the
necessary equipment and supplies through cooperatives.

(2) Upon written request to the commissioner of agriculture by any three
persons, the commissioner or a duly authorized representative of the commissioner
may supply a written summary of the most current survey prepared by the
department of agriculture, if any exists, of the business conditions affecting the
proposed purposes of the cooperative, particularly the commodities to be handled.
When such a summary is supplied, the commissioner or a representative of the
commissioner may separately set forth an opinion, stating the reasons therefor,
regarding the viability of the proposed venture.

(3) In addition, the department of agriculture may, at the discretion of the
commissioner or a representative of the commissioner, provide other assistance to
persons who seek to organize an agricultural cooperative.

Legislative History

Source: L. 96: Entire article R&RE, p. 492, � 1, effective July 1.