The director may appoint a farm operations administrator for institutions under the control of the departments of corrections and human services. If appointed, the farm operations administrator, subject to the direction of the director shall do all of the following:
 1. Manage and supervise all farming and nursery operations at institutions, farms and gardens of the departments of corrections and human services.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 904.302

  • department: means the Iowa department of corrections and the Iowa department of human services. See Iowa Code 904.706
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • Livestock: includes but is not limited to an animal classified as an ostrich, rhea, or emu. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • property: includes personal and real property. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" may include the said district and territories. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • United States: includes all the states. See Iowa Code 4.1
 2. Determine priorities on the use of agricultural resources and labor for farming and nursery operations, and cooperate with Iowa state university of science and technology in all approved uses connected with the institution.
 3. Develop an annual operations plan for crop and livestock production and utilization that will provide work experience and contribute to developing vocational skills of the institutions’ inmates and residents. The department of human services must approve the parts of the plan that affect farm operations on property of institutions having programs of the department of human services.
 4. Coordinate farm lease arrangements, farm input purchases, farm product distribution, machinery maintenance and replacement, and renovation of farm buildings, fences and livestock facilities.
 5. Develop and maintain accounting records, budgeting and cash flow systems, and inventory records.
 6. Advise and instruct institution staff and inmates in application of agricultural technology.
 7. Implement actions to restore and maintain productivity of soil resources at the institutions through crop rotation, minimum tillage, contouring, terracing, waterways, pasture renovation, windbreaks, buffer zones, and wildlife habitat in accordance with United States department of agriculture natural resources conservation service plans and recommendations.
 8. Pay property taxes levied against land leased by the department of corrections or department of human services as provided in section 427.1, subsection 1.
 9. Administer the revolving farm fund created in section 904.706.
 10. Do any other farm management duties assigned by the director.