This marketing order is to promote the general welfare of the state and the Washington state alfalfa seed commodity board is designated by the director to conduct the following programs in accordance with chapter 15.65 RCW for the purpose of maintaining existing markets or creating new or larger local, domestic, and foreign markets; increasing production efficiency; ensuring a fair regulatory environment; or increasing per capita consumption of alfalfa seed grown in Washington state.

(1) To carry out the purposes of this chapter, the board shall provide for a program in one or more of the following areas:

(a) Establish plans and conduct programs for marketing, sales, promotion, and/or other programs for maintaining present markets and/or creating new or larger markets for alfalfa seed. Such programs shall be directed toward increasing the sale of alfalfa seed without reference to any particular brand or trade name and shall neither make use of false or unwarranted claims on behalf of alfalfa seed nor disparage the quality, value, sale, or use of any other agricultural commodity. The board may also engage in cooperative efforts in the domestic or foreign marketing of alfalfa seed.

(b) Provide for research in the production, harvesting, processing, irrigation, transportation, handling, and/or distribution of alfalfa seed and expend the necessary funds for such purposes. Insofar as practicable, such research shall be carried out by experiment stations of Washington State University, but if in the judgment of the board said experiment stations do not have adequate facilities for a particular project or if some other research agency has better facilities therefor, the project may be carried out by other research agencies selected by the board.

(c) Provide for collection and dissemination of information pertaining to alfalfa seed.

(d) Conduct programs for the purpose of providing information and education including:

(i) Marketing information and services for producers of alfalfa seed for the verification of grades, standards, weights, tests, and sampling of quality and quantity of alfalfa seed purchased by handlers from affected producers.

(ii) Information and services enabling producers to meet their resource conservation objectives.

(iii) Alfalfa seed-related education and training.

(e) Subject to the provisions of the act, provide information and communicate on matters pertaining to the production, irrigation, processing, transportation, marketing, or uses of alfalfa seed produced in Washington state to any elected official or officer or employee of any agency.

(2) The director shall approve any plans, programs, and projects concerning:

(a) The establishment, issuance, effectuation, and administration of programs authorized under this section for marketing and promotion of alfalfa seed.

(b) The establishment and effectuation of market research projects, market development projects, or both to the end that marketing and utilization of alfalfa seed may be encouraged, expanded, improved, or made more efficient.