7 USC 5812 - Program administration

Collapse to view only § 5812. Program administration

§ 5811. Research and extension projects
§ 5812. Program administration
§ 5813. Federal-State matching grant program
§ 5814. Authorization of appropriations

§ 5811. Research and extension projects

(a) Projects requiredThe Secretary shall conduct research and extension projects to obtain data, develop conclusions, demonstrate technologies, and conduct educational programs that promote the purposes of this part, including research and extension projects that—

(1) facilitate and increase scientific investigation and education in order to—

(A) reduce, to the extent feasible and practicable, the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and toxic natural materials in agricultural production;

(B) improve low-input farm management to enhance agricultural productivity, profitability, and competitiveness; and

(2) facilitate the conduct of projects in order to—

(A) study, to the extent practicable, agricultural production systems that are located in areas that possess various soil, climate, and physical characteristics;

(B) study farms that have been, and will continue to be, managed using farm production practices that rely on low-input and conservation practices;

(C) take advantage of the experience and expertise of farmers and ranchers through their direct participation and leadership in projects;

(D) transfer practical, reliable and timely information to farmers and ranchers concerning low-input sustainable farming practices and systems; and

(E) promote a partnership between farmers, nonprofit organizations, agribusiness, and public and private research and extension institutions.

(b) Agreements

(1) In generalThe Secretary shall select research and extension projects to be conducted under this section on the basis of—

(A) the relevance of the project to the purposes of this part;

(B) the appropriateness of the design of the project;

(D) the national or regional applicability of the findings and outcomes of the proposed project.

(2) PriorityIn conducting projects under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to projects that—

(A) closely coordinate research and extension activities;

(B) indicate the manner in which the findings of the project will be made readily usable by farmers;

(C) maximize the involvement and cooperation of farmers, including projects involving on-farm research and demonstration;

(D) involve a multidisciplinary systems approach; and

(E) involve cooperation between farms, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, and government agencies.

(d) Diversification of research

(e) On-farm research

(f) Impact studies

(g) Project duration

(1) In general

(2) Sequence planting

(h) Public access

(i) Indemnification

(1) In general

(2) Subject to agreement

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XVI, § 1621, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3734; Pub. L. 104–127, title VIII, § 860(c)(2), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1173.)

§ 5812. Program administration

(a) Duties of Secretary

The Secretary shall—

(1) administer the programs and projects conducted under sections 5811 and 5813 of this title through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, and other appropriate agencies;

(2) establish a minimum of four Regional Administrative Councils in accordance with subsection (b); and

(3) in conjunction with such Regional Administrative Councils, identify regional host institutions required to carry out such programs or projects.

(b) Regional Administrative Councils

(1) Membership

The membership of the Regional Administrative Councils shall include representatives of—

(A) the Agricultural Research Service;

(B) the National Institute of Food and Agriculture;

(D) State agricultural experiment stations;

(E) the Soil Conservation Service;

(F) State departments engaged in sustainable agriculture programs;

(G) nonprofit organizations with demonstrable expertise;

(H) farmers utilizing systems and practices of sustainable agriculture;

(I) agribusiness;

(J) the State or United States Geological Survey; and

(K) other persons knowledgeable about sustainable agriculture and its impact on the environment and rural communities.

(2) Responsibilities

The Regional Administrative Councils shall—

(A) promote the programs established under this subchapter at the regional level;

(B) establish goals and criteria for the selection of projects authorized under this subchapter within the applicable region;

(C) appoint a technical committee to evaluate the proposals for projects to be considered under this subchapter by such council;

(D) review and act on the recommendations of the technical committee, and coordinate its activities with the regional host institution; and

(E) prepare and make available an annual report concerning projects funded under sections 5811 and 5813 of this title, together with an evaluation of the project activity.

(3) Conflict of interest

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XVI, § 1622, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3736; Pub. L. 104–127, title VIII, § 860(a), (b), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1173; Pub. L. 110–234, title VII, § 7511(c)(15), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1268; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VII, § 7511(c)(15), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2030.)

§ 5813. Federal-State matching grant program

(a) Establishment

(b) Eligible programs and activities

States eligible to receive a grant under this section may conduct a variety of activities designed to carry out the purpose of this subchapter, including—

(1) activities that encourage the incorporation and integration of sustainable agriculture concerns in all State research, extension, and education projects;

(2) educational programs for farmers, educators, and the public;

(3) the development and funding of innovative research, extension, and education programs regarding sustainable agriculture;

(4) the conduct of research and demonstration projects;

(5) the provision of technical assistance to farmers and ranchers;

(6) activities that encourage farmer-to-farmer information exchanges;

(7) the incorporation of sustainable agriculture studies in undergraduate and graduate degree programs; and

(8) such other activities that are appropriate to the agricultural concerns of the State that are consistent with the purpose of this part.

(1) Required

(2) Elements of plan

(3) Participation of farmers

(d) Grant award

(1) Limits

(2) State contribution

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XVI, § 1623, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3738; Pub. L. 113–79, title VII, § 7128(b)(2)(A), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 878; Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7614(b)(2)(A), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4834.)

§ 5814. Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2023. Of amounts appropriated to carry out this part for a fiscal year, not less than $15,000,000, or not less than two thirds of any such appropriation, whichever is greater, shall be used to carry out sections 5811 and 5812 of this title.

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XVI, § 1624, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3739; Pub. L. 102–237, title IV, § 408, Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1865; Pub. L. 113–79, title VII, § 7201, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 880; Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7201, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4803.)