Part A - Best Utilization of Biological Applications

7 USC 5811 - Research and extension projects

(a) Projects required
The 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">nonprofit organizations, agribusiness, and public and private research and extension institutions.

(b) Agreements
The Secretary shall carry out this section through agreements entered into with land-grant colleges or universities, other universities, State agricultural experiment stations, the State cooperative extension services, nonprofit">nonprofit organizations with demonstrable expertise, or Federal or State governmental entities.

(1) In general
The 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) Priority
In 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
The Secretary shall conduct projects and studies under this section in areas that are broadly representative of the diversity of United States agricultural production, including production on family farms, mixed-crop livestock farms and dairy operations.

(e) On-farm research
The Secretary may conduct projects and activities that involve on-farm research and demonstration in carrying out this section.

(f) Impact studies
The Secretary may approve study projects concerning the national and regional economic, global competitiveness, social and environmental implications of the adoption of low-input sustainable agricultural practices and systems.

(g) Project duration

(1) In general
The Secretary may approve projects to be conducted under this section that have a duration of more than one fiscal year.

(2) Sequence planting
In the case of a research project conducted under this section that involves the planting of a sequence of crops or crop rotations, the Secretary shall approve such projects for a term that is appropriate to the sequence or rotation being studied.

(h) Public access
The Secretary shall ensure that research projects conducted under this section are open for public observation at specified times.

(i) Indemnification

(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may indemnify the operator of a project conducted under this section for damage incurred or undue losses sustained as a result of a rigid requirement of research or demonstration under such project that is not experienced in normal farming operations.

(2) Subject to agreement
An indemnity payment under paragraph (1) shall be subject to any agreement between a project grantee and operator entered into prior to the initiation of such project.

7 USC 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 Cooperative State Research Service in close cooperation with the Extension Service, Agricultural Research Service, and other appropriate agencies;

(2) establish a minimum of four Regional Administrative Councils in accordance with subsection (b) of this section; 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 Cooperative State Research Service;

(D) State cooperative extension services;

(E) State agricultural experiment stations;

(F) the Soil Conservation Service;

(G) State departments engaged in sustainable agriculture programs;

(H) nonprofit">nonprofit organizations with demonstrable expertise;

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

(J) agribusiness;

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

(L) 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
A member of the Regional Administrative Council or a technical committee may not participate in the discussion or recommendation of proposed projects if the member has or had a professional or business interest in, including the provision of consultancy services, the organization whose grant application is under review.

7 USC 5813 - Federal-State matching grant program

(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a Federal-State matching grant program to make grants to States to assist in the creation or enhancement of State sustainable agriculture research, extension, and education programs, in furtherance of this subchapter.

(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
States that elect to apply for a grant under this section shall prepare and submit, to the appropriate Regional Administrative Council established under section 5812 of this title, a State plan and schedule for approval by such council and the Secretary.

(2) Elements of plan
State plans prepared under paragraph (1) shall provide details of the proposed program to be implemented using funds provided under this section for fiscal years 1991 through 1995, or any 5-year period thereafter, and shall identify the sources of matching State funds for the same fiscal year.

(3) Participation of farmers
To be eligible for approval, State plans submitted under this subsection shall demonstrate that there will be extensive and direct participation of farmers in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program.

(d) Grant award

(1) Limits
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide grants to eligible States in an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the cost of the establishment or enhancement of a State sustainable agriculture program under a plan approved by the Secretary under subsection (c) of this section for a period not to exceed 5 years.

(2) State contribution
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State shall agree to pay, from State appropriated funds, other State revenue, or from private contributions received by the State, not less than 50 percent of the cost of the establishment or enhancement of the sustainable agriculture program under an approved plan under subsection (c) of this section.

7 USC 5814 - Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated $40,000,000 for each fiscal year to carry out this part. 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.