TITLE 7 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER II - NEW AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES

7 USC 7621 - Repealed. Pub. L. 110234, title VII, 7406(b)(1), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1251, and Pub. L. 110246, 4(a), title VII, 7406(b)(1), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2013

Section, Pub. L. 105–185, title IV, § 401, June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 564; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, 101(a) [title VII, 753(c)(2)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681, 268133; Pub. L. 107–171, title VII, § 7205(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 439; Pub. L. 109–171, title I, § 1501, Feb. 8, 2006, 120 Stat. 7, related to the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems.

7 USC 7622 - Repealed. Pub. L. 110234, title VII, 7302, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1242, and Pub. L. 110246, 4(a), title VII, 7302, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2003

Section, Pub. L. 105–185, title IV, § 402, June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 566; Pub. L. 107–171, title VII, § 7123, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 434, related to partnerships for high-value agricultural product quality research.

7 USC 7623 - Repealed. Pub. L. 110234, title VII, 7303, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1242, and Pub. L. 110246, 4(a), title VII, 7303, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2003

Section, Pub. L. 105–185, title IV, § 403, June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 567; Pub. L. 107–171, title VII, §§ 7129, 7207 (a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 435, 440, related to precision agriculture.

7 USC 7624 - Biobased products

(a) “Biobased product” defined
In this section, the term biobased product means a product suitable for food or nonfood use that is derived in whole or in part from renewable agricultural and forestry materials.

(b) Coordination of biobased product activities
The Secretary of Agriculture shall

(1) coordinate the research, technical expertise, economic information, and market information resources and activities of the Department to develop, commercialize, and promote the use of biobased products;

(2) solicit input from private sector persons who produce, or are interested in producing, biobased products;

(3) provide a centralized contact point for advice and technical assistance for promising and innovative biobased products; and

(4) submit an annual report to Congress describing the coordinated research, marketing, and commercialization activities of the Department relating to biobased products.

(1) Agreements authorized
The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with private entities described in subsection (d) of this section, under which the facilities and technical expertise of the Agricultural Research Service may be made available to operate pilot plants and other large-scale preparation facilities for the purpose of bringing technologies necessary for the development and commercialization of new biobased products to the point of practical application.

(2) Description of cooperative activities
Cooperative activities may include

(A) research on potential environmental impacts of a biobased product;

(B) methods to reduce the cost of manufacturing a biobased product; and

(d) Eligible partners
The following entities shall be eligible to enter into a cooperative agreement under subsection (c) of this section:

(1) A party that has entered into a cooperative research and development agreement with the Secretary under section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a).

(2) A recipient of funding from the Biotechnology Research and Development Corporation.

(3) A recipient of funding from the Secretary under a Small Business Innovation Research Program established under section 638 of title 15.

(e) Pilot project
The Secretary, acting through the Agricultural Research Service, may establish and carry out a pilot project under which grants are provided, on a competitive basis, to scientists of the Agricultural Research Service to

(1) encourage innovative and collaborative science; and

(2) during each of fiscal years 1999 through 2012, develop biobased products with promising commercial potential.

(f) Source of funds

(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), to carry out this section, the Secretary may use

(A) funds appropriated to carry out this section; and

(B) funds otherwise available for cooperative research and development agreements under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.).

(2) Exception
The Secretary may not use funds referred to in paragraph (1)(B) to carry out subsection (e) of this section.

(g) Sale of developed products
For the purpose of determining the market potential for new biobased products produced at a pilot plant or other large-scale preparation facility under a cooperative agreement under this section, the Secretary shall authorize the private partner or partners to the agreement to sell the products.

(h) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2012.

7 USC 7625 - Repealed. Pub. L. 110234, title VII, 7305, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1242, and Pub. L. 110246, 4(a), title VII, 7305, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2003

Section, Pub. L. 105–185, title IV, § 405, June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 572; Pub. L. 107–171, title VII, §§ 7130, 7207 (b), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 435, 440, related to the Thomas Jefferson Initiative for Crop Diversification.

7 USC 7626 - Integrated research, education, and extension competitive grants program

(a) Purpose
It is the purpose of this section to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an integrated research, education, and extension competitive grant program to provide funding for integrated, multifunctional agricultural research, extension, and education activities.

(b) Competitive grants authorized
Subject to the availability of appropriations to carry out this section, the Secretary may award grants to colleges and universities (as defined in section 3103 of this title), 1994 Institutions, and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities on a competitive basis for integrated agricultural research, education, and extension projects in accordance with this section.

(c) Criteria for grants
Grants under this section shall be awarded to address priorities in United States agriculture, determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Advisory Board, that involve integrated research, extension, and education activities.

(d) Matching of funds

(1) General requirement
If a grant under this section provides a particular benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, the Secretary shall require the recipient of the grant to provide funds or in-kind support to match the amount of funds provided by the Secretary in the grant.

(2) Waiver
The Secretary may waive the matching funds requirement specified in paragraph (1) with respect to a grant if the Secretary determines that

(A) the results of the project, while of particular benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, are likely to be applicable to agricultural commodities generally; or

(B) the project involves a minor commodity, the project deals with scientifically important research, and the grant recipient is unable to satisfy the matching funds requirement.

(e) Term of grant
A grant under this section shall have a term of not more than 5 years.

(f) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2012.

7 USC 7627 - Coordinated program of research, extension, and education to improve viability of small and medium size dairy, livestock, and poultry operations

(a) Program authorized
The Secretary of Agriculture may carry out a coordinated program of research, extension, and education to improve the competitiveness, viability, and sustainability of small and medium size dairy, livestock, and poultry operations (referred to in this section as operations).

(b) Components
To the extent the Secretary elects to carry out the program, the Secretary shall conduct

(1) research, development, and on-farm extension and education concerning low-cost production facilities and practices, management systems, and genetics that are appropriate for the operations;

(2) in the case of dairy and livestock operations, research and extension on management-intensive grazing systems for dairy and livestock production to realize the potential for reduced capital and feed costs through greater use of management skills, labor availability optimization, and the natural benefits of grazing pastures;

(3) research and extension on integrated crop and livestock or poultry systems that increase efficiencies (including improved use of energy inputs), reduce costs, and prevent environmental pollution to strengthen the competitive position of the operations;

(4) economic analyses and market feasibility studies to identify new and expanded opportunities for producers on the operations that provide tools and strategies to meet consumer demand in domestic and international markets, such as cooperative marketing and value-added strategies for milk, meat, and poultry production and processing; and

(5) technology assessment that compares the technological resources of large specialized producers with the technological needs of producers on the operations to identify and transfer existing technology across all sizes and scales and to identify the specific research and education needs of the producers.

(c) Administration
The Secretary may use the funds, facilities, and technical expertise of the Agricultural Research Service and the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service and other funds available to the Secretary (other than funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation) to carry out this section.

7 USC 7628 - Support for research regarding diseases of wheat, triticale, and barley caused by Fusarium graminearum or by Tilletia indica

(a) Research grants authorized
The Secretary of Agriculture may make grants to consortia of land-grant colleges and universities to enhance the ability of the consortia to carry out multi-State research projects aimed at understanding and combating diseases of wheat, triticale, and barley caused by Fusarium graminearum and related fungi (referred to in this section as wheat scab) or by Tilletia indica and related fungi (referred to in this section as Karnal bunt).

(b) Research components
Funds provided under this section shall be available for the following collaborative, multi-State research activities:

(1) Identification and understanding of the epidemiology of wheat scab or of Karnal bunt, and the toxicological properties of vomitoxin, a toxic metabolite commonly occurring in wheat, triticale, and barley infected with wheat scab.

(2) Development of crop management strategies to reduce the risk of wheat scab or Karnal bunt occurrence.

(3) Development of

(A) efficient and accurate methods to monitor wheat, triticale, and barley for the presence of Karnal bunt or of wheat scab and resulting vomitoxin contamination;

(B) post-harvest management techniques for wheat, triticale, and barley infected with wheat scab or with Karnal bunt; and

(4) Strengthening and expansion of plant-breeding activities to enhance the resistance of wheat, triticale, and barley to wheat scab and to Karnal bunt, including the establishment of a regional advanced breeding material evaluation nursery and a germplasm introduction and evaluation system.

(5) Development and deployment of alternative fungicide application systems and formulations to control wheat scab and Karnal bunt and consideration of other chemical control strategies to assist farmers until new more resistant wheat, triticale, and barley varieties are available.

(c) Communications networks
Funds provided under this section shall be available for efforts to concentrate, integrate, and disseminate research, extension, and outreach-orientated information regarding wheat scab or Karnal bunt.

(d) Management
To oversee the use of a grant made under this section, the Secretary may establish a committee composed of the directors of the agricultural experiment stations in the States in which land-grant colleges and universities that are members of the consortium are located.

(e) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2012.

7 USC 7629 - Bovine Johnes disease control program

(a) Establishment
The Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with State veterinarians and other appropriate State animal health professionals, may establish a program to conduct research, testing, and evaluation of programs for the control and management of Johnes disease in livestock.

(b) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2012.

7 USC 7630 - Grants for youth organizations

(a) In general
The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, shall make grants to the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, the Boy Scouts of America, the National 4H Council, and the National FFA Organization to establish pilot projects to expand the programs carried out by the organizations in rural areas and small towns (including, with respect to the National 4H Council, activities provided for in Public Law 10719 (115 Stat. 153)).

(b) Flexibility
The Secretary shall provide maximum flexibility in content delivery to each organization receiving funds under this section so as to ensure that the unique goals of each organization, as well as the local community needs, are fully met.

(c) Redistribution of funding within organizations authorized
Recipients of funds under this section may redistribute all or part of the funds received to individual councils or local chapters within the councils without further need of approval from the Secretary.

(d) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

7 USC 7631 - Agricultural biotechnology research and development for developing countries

(a) Eligible entity
In this section, the term eligible entity means

(A) an institution of higher education that offers a curriculum in agriculture or the biosciences;

(B) a nonprofit">nonprofit organization; or

(b) Grant program

(1) In general
The Secretary (acting through the Foreign Agricultural Service) shall establish and administer a program to make competitive grants to eligible entities to develop agricultural biotechnology for developing countries.

(2) Use of funds
Funds provided to an eligible entity under this section may be used for projects that use biotechnology to

(A) enhance the nutritional content of agricultural products that can be grown in developing countries;

(B) increase the yield and safety of agricultural products that can be grown in developing countries;

(C) increase the yield of agricultural products that are drought- and stress-resistant and that can be grown in developing countries;

(D) extend the growing range of crops that can be grown in developing countries;

(E) enhance the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables grown in developing countries;

(F) develop environmentally sustainable agricultural products that can be grown in developing countries; and

(G) develop vaccines to immunize against life-threatening illnesses and other medications that can be administered by consuming genetically-engineered agricultural products.

(c) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2012.

7 USC 7632 - Specialty crop research initiative

(a) Definitions
In this section:

(1) Initiative
The term Initiative means the specialty crop research and extension initiative established by subsection (b).

(2) Specialty crop
The term specialty crop has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note ; Public Law 108465).

(b) Establishment
There is established within the Department a specialty crop research and extension initiative to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by developing and disseminating science-based tools to address needs of specific crops and their regions, including

(1) research in plant breeding, genetics, and genomics to improve crop characteristics, such as

(A) product, taste, quality, and appearance;

(B) environmental responses and tolerances;

(D) pest and disease management, including resistance to pests and diseases resulting in reduced application management strategies; and

(E) enhanced phytonutrient content;

(2) efforts to identify and address threats from pests and diseases, including threats to specialty crop pollinators;

(3) efforts to improve production efficiency, productivity, and profitability over the long term (including specialty crop policy and marketing);

(4) new innovations and technology, including improved mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening; and

(5) methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control, and respond to potential food safety hazards in the production and processing of specialty crops, including fresh produce.

(1) Federal agencies;

(2) national laboratories;

(3) colleges and universities;

(4) research institutions and organizations;

(5) private organizations or corporations;

(6) State agricultural experiment stations;

(7) individuals; or

(8) groups consisting of 2 or more entities described in paragraphs (1) through (7).

(d) Research projects
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall award grants on a competitive basis.

(e) Administration

(1) In general
With respect to grants awarded under subsection (d), the Secretary shall

(A) seek and accept proposals for grants;

(B) determine the relevance and merit of proposals through a system of peer and merit review in accordance with section 7613 of this title; and

(2) Term
The term of a grant under this section may not exceed 10 years.

(3) Matching funds required
The Secretary shall require the recipient of a grant under this section to provide funds or in-kind support from non-Federal sources in an amount that is at least equal to the amount provided by the Federal Government.

(4) Other conditions
The Secretary may set such other conditions on the award of a grant under this section as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(f) Priorities
In making grants under this section, the Secretary shall provide a higher priority to projects that

(1) are multistate, multi-institutional, or multidisciplinary; and

(2) include explicit mechanisms to communicate results to producers and the public.

(g) Buildings and facilities
Funds made available under this section shall not be used for the construction of a new building or facility or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing building or facility (including site grading and improvement, and architect fees).

(h) Funding

(1) In general
Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this section $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012, from which activities under each of paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (b) shall be allocated not less than 10 percent.

(2) Authorization of appropriations
In addition to funds made available under paragraph (1), there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

(3) Transfer
Of the funds made available to the Secretary under paragraph (1) for fiscal year 2008 and authorized for use for payment of administrative expenses under section 3315 (a)(3) of this title, the Secretary shall transfer, upon the date of enactment of this section, $200,000 to the Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances of the Environmental Protection Agency for use in conducting a meta-analysis relating to methyl bromide.

(4) Availability
Funds made available pursuant to this subsection for a fiscal year shall remain available until expended to pay for obligations incurred in that fiscal year.