(a) The general assembly finds that the development of biobased products, agricultural biomass, bast fiber crops and industrial utilization is in the best interest of Tennessee’s economy and agriculture. The general assembly recognizes the importance of agricultural fibers as the basic building blocks for biobased products.
Terms Used In Tennessee Code 43-37-104
Ag Fiber Technology: means a unique public/private sector coalition organized by Agro-Tech Communications of Memphis, Tennessee and based at Agricenter International in Memphis, Tennessee. See Tennessee Code 43-37-102
Agricultural biomass: means crop residues from commodity crops such as wheat, corn, cotton and new crops such as switchgrass. See Tennessee Code 43-37-102
Agriculture: means :(i) The land, buildings and machinery used in the commercial production of farm products and nursery stock. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
Bioenergy initiative: means a national partnership coordinated by the United States department of energy to develop an integrated industry to produce power, fuel and chemicals from sources including agricultural biomass. See Tennessee Code 43-37-102
Industrial utilization: means the products and processes that utilize agricultural materials in non-food, non-feed commercial products. See Tennessee Code 43-37-102
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
United States: includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) The general assembly finds that the development of biobased products, agricultural biomass, bast fiber crops and industrial utilization would reduce dependence on foreign oil imports; enhance energy security; reduce environmental emissions of harmful pollutants; decrease greenhouse gas emissions; increase profitability for agricultural biomass commercial activities; revitalize rural areas with new markets and revenue streams; and would provide greater consumer choices for power, fuel and commercial products.(c) The general assembly finds that cooperation with the United States department of energy and United States department of agriculture’s bioenergy initiative, Oak Ridge national laboratory, Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee and other entities in Tennessee that are developing biobased products, agricultural biomass, bast fiber crops and industrial utilization is in the best interest of Tennessee’s economy, environment and agriculture.(d) The general assembly finds that the Ag Fiber Technology program at Agricenter International has a strategic role in the development of biobased products, agricultural biomass, bast fiber crops and industrial utilization through its focus on commercializing agricultural fibers as the basic building blocks for biobased products.(e) The purpose of this chapter is to promote the economy, agriculture, public safety, health and welfare of the citizens of Tennessee, while promoting new opportunities for farmers and rural economies.
