Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Act

Summary: Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Act - Amends the Agricultural Risk Protection Act regarding the value-added agricultural product market development grants program to: (1) include farmers and ranchers who are veterans among priority recipients, and (2) authorize program appropriations through FY2017. Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 regarding the outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers program to: (1) include farmers and ranchers who are veterans, and (2) extend mandatory funding and authorization of appropriations through FY2017. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 regarding the beginning farmer and rancher development program to: (1) provide set-asides for beginning farmers and ranchers who are veterans, and (2) extend mandatory funding and authorization of appropriations through FY2017. Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the position of Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison to: (1) provide returning veterans with information about beginning farmer training and agricultural vocational and rehabilitation programs; (2) provide veterans with information concerning the availability of, and eligibility requirements for, agricultural programs; and (3) advocate on behalf of veterans with USDA. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 regarding the conservation reserve transition incentive program to: (1) include farmers and ranchers who are veterans, and (2) authorize appropriations through FY2017. Makes farmers and ranchers who are veterans eligible for increased payments under the environmental quality incentives program.  Gives priority to beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers who are veterans for assistance set-asides under the environmental quality incentives program and the conservation stewardship program.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Agricultural Opportunities for 
Military Veterans Act''.

SEC. 2. VALUE-ADDED AGRICULTURAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GRANTS.

    Section 231(b) of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 
U.S.C. 1632a(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (6)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) veteran farmers or ranchers (as defined in 
                section 2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
                and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))).''; and
            (2) in paragraph (7)(B), by striking ``2012'' and inserting 
        ``2017''.

SEC. 3. OUTREACH AND ASSISTANCE FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND 
              RANCHERS AND VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS.

    (a) Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and 
Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers.--Section 2501 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279) is 
amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by inserting ``and veteran 
        farmers and ranchers'' after ``ranchers'';
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by inserting ``and 
                veteran farmers or ranchers'' after ``ranchers''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) in the heading, by striking 
                                ``Fiscal years 2009 through 2012'' and 
                                inserting ``Mandatory funding'';
                                    (II) in clause (i), by striking 
                                ``and'' at the end;
                                    (III) in clause (ii), by striking 
                                the period at the end and inserting ``; 
                                and''; and
                                    (IV) by adding at the end the 
                                following:
                            ``(iii) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
                        2013 through 2017.''; and
                            (ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and 
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(B) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
                authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
                $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 
                2017.'';
            (3) in subsection (b)(2), by inserting ``or veteran farmers 
        and ranchers'' after ``socially disadvantaged farmers and 
        ranchers''; and
            (4) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``veteran 
                farmers or ranchers and'' before ``members''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``veteran 
                farmers or ranchers and'' before ``members''.
    (b) Definition of Veteran Farmer or Rancher.--Section 2501(e) of 
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) Veteran farmer or rancher.--The term `veteran farmer 
        or rancher' means a farmer or rancher who served in the active 
        military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or 
        released from the service under conditions other than 
        dishonorable.''.

SEC. 4. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM UNDER FARM 
              SECURITY AND RURAL INVESTMENT ACT OF 2002.

    Section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(7 U.S.C. 3319f) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)(8)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) beginning farmers and ranchers who are 
                veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United 
                States Code).''; and
            (2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i);
            (3) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
    ``(h) State Grants.--
            ``(1) Definition of eligible entity.--In this subsection, 
        the term `eligible entity' means--
                    ``(A) an agency of a State or political subdivision 
                of a State;
                    ``(B) a national, State, or regional organization 
                of agricultural producers; and
                    ``(C) any other entity determined appropriate by 
                the Secretary.
            ``(2) Grants.--The Secretary shall use such sums as are 
        necessary of funds made available to carry out this section for 
        each fiscal year under subsection (i) to make grants to States, 
        on a competitive basis, which States shall use the grants to 
        make grants to eligible entities to establish and improve farm 
        safety programs at the local level.''; and
            (4) in subsection (i) (as redesignated by paragraph (2))--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in the heading, by striking ``for 
                        fiscal years 2009 through 2012'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the 
                        period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) $17,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 
                through 2017, to remain available until expended.'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in the heading, by striking ``for 
                        fiscal years 2009 through 2012''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``2012'' and inserting 
                        ``2017''; and
                    (C) by striking paragraph (3).

SEC. 5. MILITARY VETERANS AGRICULTURAL LIAISON.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 is amended by inserting after section 218 (7 
U.S.C. 6918) the following:

``SEC. 219. MILITARY VETERANS AGRICULTURAL LIAISON.

    ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary shall establish in the 
Department the position of Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison.
    ``(b) Duties.--The Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall--
            ``(1) provide information to returning veterans about, and 
        connect returning veterans with, beginning farmer training and 
        agricultural vocational and rehabilitation programs appropriate 
        to the needs and interests of returning veterans, including 
        assisting veterans in using Federal veterans educational 
        benefits for purposes relating to beginning a farming or 
        ranching career;
            ``(2) provide information to veterans concerning the 
        availability of and eligibility requirements for participation 
        in agricultural programs, with particular emphasis on beginning 
        farmer and rancher programs;
            ``(3) serving as a resource for assisting veteran farmers 
        and ranchers, and potential farmers and ranchers, in applying 
        for participation in agricultural programs; and
            ``(4) advocating on behalf of veterans in interactions with 
        employees of the Department.
    ``(c) Contracts and Cooperative Agreements.--For purposes of 
carrying out the duties under subsection (b), the Military Veterans 
Agricultural Liaison may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements 
with the research centers of the Agricultural Research Service, 
institutions of higher education, or nonprofit organizations for--
            ``(1) the conduct of regional research on the profitability 
        of small farms;
            ``(2) the development of educational materials;
            ``(3) the conduct of workshops, courses, and certified 
        vocational training;
            ``(4) the conduct of mentoring activities; or
            ``(5) the provision of internship opportunities.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 296(b) of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (6)(C), by striking the ``or'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; or''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(8) the authority of the Secretary to establish in the 
        Department the position of Military Veterans Agricultural 
        Liaison in accordance with section 219.''.

SEC. 6. CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM TRANSITION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 1235(f) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3835(f)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
        (A) by inserting ``, a veteran farmer or rancher (as defined in 
        section 2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
        Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))),'' before ``or socially 
        disadvantaged farmer or rancher''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for 
        the period of fiscal years 2013 through 2017.''.

SEC. 7. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM.

    Section 1240B(d)(4)(A) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3839aa-2(d)(4)(A)) is amended in the matter preceding clause (i) by 
inserting ``, a veteran farmer or rancher (as defined in section 
2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
(7 U.S.C. 2279(e))),'' before ``or a beginning farmer or rancher''.

SEC. 8. RESERVATION OF FUNDS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN FARMERS 
              OR RANCHERS FOR CONSERVATION ACCESS.

    Section 1241(g) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3841(g)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2012'' and inserting 
        ``2017''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Preference.--In providing assistance under paragraph 
        (1), the Secretary shall give preference to a veteran farmer or 
        rancher (as defined in section 2501(e) of the Food, 
        Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
        2279(e))) that qualifies under subparagraph (A) or (B) of 
        paragraph (1).''.

SEC. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.

    Section 1244(a)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3844(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) Veteran farmers or ranchers (as defined in 
                section 2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
                and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))).''.