Collapse to view only § 5831. Technical guides and handbooks
§ 5831. Technical guides and handbooks
(a) Development
(b) Consultation and coordination
(c) Topics of handbooks and guides
(d) Organization and contents
The handbooks and guides, and other educational materials, shall provide practical instructions and be organized in such a manner as to enable agricultural producers desiring to implement the practices and systems developed under this subchapter, chapter 86 of this title,1 and other appropriate research programs of the Department to address site-specific, environmental and resource management problems and to sustain farm profitability, including—
(1) enhancing and maintaining the fertility, productivity, and conservation of farmland and ranch soils, ranges, pastures, and wildlife;
(2) maximizing the efficient and effective use of agricultural inputs;
(3) protecting or enhancing the quality of water resources; or
(4) optimizing the use of on-farm and nonrenewable resources.
(e) Availability
(f) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—
(1) such sums as are necessary for fiscal year 2013; and
(2) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.
(Pub. L. 101–624, title XVI, § 1628, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3740; Pub. L. 102–237, title IV, § 407(3), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1864; Pub. L. 104–127, title VIII, §§ 860(c)(3), 862(b)(3), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1174; Pub. L. 113–79, title VII, § 7203, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 880; Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7203, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4803.)
§ 5832. National Training Program
(a) In general
(b) Administration
(c) Required training
(1) Agricultural agents
(2) Proof of training
(d) Regional training centers
(1) Designation
(2) Training program
(3) Prohibition on construction
(4) Administration
(5) Coordination of resources
(e) Competitive grants
(1) In general
(2) Short courses
(f) Regional specialists
(g) Information availability
The Cooperative Extension Service within each State shall transfer information developed under this subchapter, chapter 86 of this title,1 and other appropriate research programs of the Department through a program that shall—
(1) assist in developing farmer-to-farmer information exchange networks to enable farmers making transitions to more sustainable farming systems to share ideas and draw on the experiences of other farmers;
(2) help coordinate and publicize a regular series of sustainable agriculture farm tours and field days within each State;
(3) plan for extension programming, including extensive farmer input and feedback, in the design of new and ongoing research endeavors related to sustainable agriculture;
(4) provide technical assistance to individual farmers in the design and implementation of farm management plans and strategies for making a transition to more sustainable agricultural systems;
(5) consult and work closely with the Soil Conservation Service and the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service in carrying out the information, technical assistance, and related programs;
(6) develop, coordinate, and direct special education and outreach programs in areas highly susceptible to groundwater contamination, linking sustainable agriculture information with water quality improvement information;
(7) develop information sources relating to crop diversification, alternative crops, on-farm food or commodity processing, and on-farm energy generation;
(8) establish a well-water testing program designed to provide those persons dependent upon underground drinking water supplies with an understanding of the need for regular water testing, information on sources of testing, and an understanding of how to interpret test results and provide for the protection of underground water supplies;
(9) provide specific information on water quality practices developed through the research programs in chapter 86 of this title; 1
(10) provide specific information on nutrient management practices developed through the research programs in chapter 86 of this title; 1 and
(11) provide information concerning whole-farm management systems integrating research results under this subchapter, chapter 86 of this title,1 and other appropriate research programs of the Department.
(h) “Appropriate field office personnel” defined
(i) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 101–624, title XVI, § 1629, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3741; Pub. L. 102–237, title IV, § 407(4), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1864; Pub. L. 104–127, title VIII, § 862(b)(4), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1174; Pub. L. 105–185, title VI, § 606(f), June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 604; Pub. L. 110–234, title VII, § 7511(c)(17), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1269; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VII, § 7511(c)(17), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2030; Pub. L. 113–79, title VII, § 7204, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 880; Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7204, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4803.)