§ 151. Agricultural environmental management program. There is hereby
established within the department an agricultural environmental
management program to assist farmers in maintaining the economic
viability of their farm operations while addressing environmental
impacts from those operations, including, but not limited to, soil, air
and water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The program may also
include assistance to farmers for the development of
agriculturally-derived renewable energy sources. The program may consist
of planner certification to qualify persons to prepare AEM plans;
technical assistance to farmers participating in the program; financial
assistance, within funds available, to soil and water conservation
districts and farmers to prepare and implement plans; other incentives
for program participation; and evaluation of program procedures and
projects to assess effectiveness.