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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1551 Introduced in House (IH)]

110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1551

   To reauthorize Department of Agriculture conservation and energy 
 programs and certain other programs of the Department, to modify the 
operation and administration of these programs, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 15, 2007

Mr. Kind (for himself, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Allen, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Baird, 
  Mr. Becerra, Mr. Bishop of New York, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Braley of 
 Iowa, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Chandler, Ms. Clarke, Mr. Conyers, 
  Mr. Crowley, Mr. DeFazio, Ms. DeGette, Mr. Delahunt, Mr. Dicks, Mr. 
Dingell, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Engel, Mr. English of Pennsylvania, Mr. Farr, 
Mr. Filner, Mr. Frelinghuysen, Mr. Gerlach, Mr. Gilchrest, Mr. Higgins, 
 Ms. Hirono, Mr. Hinchey, Ms. Hooley, Mr. Holt, Mr. Honda, Mr. Inslee, 
Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Kildee, Mr. Langevin, Mr. LaTourette, Mr. LoBiondo, Mr. 
  Lynch, Mrs. McCarthy of New York, Mr. McDermott, Mr. McGovern, Mr. 
  McNulty, Mr. Meeks of New York, Mr. Meehan, Mr. Michaud, Mr. George 
 Miller of California, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Moran of Virginia, 
 Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Neal of Massachusetts, Mr. Oberstar, Mr. Olver, 
 Mr. Pallone, Mr. Payne, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Perlmutter, Mr. Petri, Mr. 
  Price of North Carolina, Mr. Rahall, Mr. Ramstad, Mr. Reichert, Mr. 
Saxton, Mr. Sires, Mr. Shays, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. Stupak, Mrs. 
Tauscher, Mr. Tierney, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, 
  Mr. Van Hollen, and Mr. Walsh of New York) introduced the following 
   bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in 
 addition to the Committees on Education and Labor and Armed Services, 
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case 
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of 
                        the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
   To reauthorize Department of Agriculture conservation and energy 
 programs and certain other programs of the Department, to modify the 
operation and administration of these programs, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Healthy Farms, 
Foods, and Fuels Act of 2007''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
                         TITLE I--CONSERVATION

Sec. 101. Conservation reserve program.
Sec. 102. Wetlands reserve program.
Sec. 103. Conservation security program.
Sec. 104. Reauthorization of and increased enrollment authority for 
                            grassland reserve program.
Sec. 105. Environmental quality incentives program.
Sec. 106. Reauthorization of and increased funding for wildlife habitat 
                            incentive program.
Sec. 107. Cooperative conservation partnership initiative.
Sec. 108. Regional equity in funding of certain Department of 
                            Agriculture conservation programs.
Sec. 109. Exclusion of payments under Department of Agriculture 
                            conservation programs from adjusted gross 
                            income limitation.
Sec. 110. Reauthorization of and additional funding for agricultural 
                            management assistance program.
Sec. 111. Community Forests and Open Space Conservation Program.
Sec. 112. Farmland protection and farm viability programs.
Sec. 113. Healthy forests reserve program.
Sec. 114. Integrated pest management initiative.
Sec. 115. Conservation access initiative to encourage greater 
                            participation by socially disadvantaged 
                            farmers and ranchers in conservation 
                            programs.
Sec. 116. Conservation loan guarantee program.
Sec. 117. Pilot program for comprehensive conservation planning.
Sec. 118. Technical assistance under Department of Agriculture 
                            conservation programs.
                            TITLE II--ENERGY

Sec. 201. Definition of biomass.
Sec. 202. Support for development of biorefineries.
Sec. 203. Reauthorization of energy audit and renewable energy 
                            development program.
Sec. 204. Reauthorization of and increased funding for renewable energy 
                            systems and energy efficiency improvements 
                            program.
Sec. 205. Reauthorization of Department of Agriculture bioenergy 
                            program.
Sec. 206. Reauthorization of and increased funding for biomass research 
                            and development.
Sec. 207. Reauthorization of carbon cycle research.
                    TITLE III--HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES

Sec. 301. Reauthorization of and increased funding for community food 
                            project competitive grants.
Sec. 302. Expansion of fresh fruit and vegetable program.
Sec. 303. Authorization level for farm-to-cafeteria activities.
Sec. 304. Extension of WIC farmer's market nutrition program.
Sec. 305. Senior farmers' market nutrition program.
Sec. 306. Farmers' market promotion program.
Sec. 307. Department of Defense and Department of Agriculture 
                            procurement of locally produced 
                            agricultural products.
Sec. 308. Fruit and vegetable nutrition promotion program.
Sec. 309. Use of ``Dietary Guidelines for Americans'' in special 
                            nutrition programs and school lunch 
                            programs.
Sec. 310. Section 32 specialty crop purchases.
Sec. 311. Amendments to the food stamp program.
Sec. 312. Food stamp fruit and vegetable electronic benefit transfer 
                            pilot project.
         TITLE IV--PROMOTION OF NEW MARKETS AND FARM VIABILITY

Sec. 401. Farm viability program.
Sec. 402. National organic certification and transition cost share 
                            program.
Sec. 403. Organic agriculture research and extension initiative.
Sec. 404. Funding for education grants programs for Hispanic-serving 
                            institutions.
Sec. 405. Extension and funding increase for the Value-Added 
                            Agricultural Product Market Development 
                            Grant Program.

                         TITLE I--CONSERVATION

SEC. 101. CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM.

    (a) Extension.--
            (1) Funding extension.--Section 1241(a) of the Food 
        Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) is amended--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``2007'' and inserting ``2013''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``The'' and 
                inserting ``For each of fiscal years 2002 through 2013, 
                the''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--Section 1231 of such Act (16 
        U.S.C. 3831) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``2007'' and 
                inserting ``2013'';
                    (B) in subsection (d), by striking ``2007'' and 
                inserting ``2013'';
                    (C) in subsection (e)(3), by striking ``2002'' and 
                inserting ``2008''; and
                    (D) in subsection (h)(1), by striking ``2007'' and 
                inserting ``2013''.
    (b) Eligible Land.--Section 1231(b) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3831(b)) 
is amended--
            (1) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (1) and 
        inserting a semicolon;
            (2) by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (4)(C);
            (3) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and 
        inserting ``; or''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
            ``(6) marginal pasture land or hay land that is otherwise 
        ineligible, if the land is to be devoted to native vegetation 
        appropriate to the locale and--
                    ``(A) will provide suitable habitat for State or 
                federally listed threatened or endangered species or 
                species determined by the Secretary of the Interior to 
                be species of concern; or
                    ``(B) will contribute to the restoration of an 
                endangered ecosystem or rare and declining forest 
                ecosystem, as defined by the Secretary.''.
    (c) Enrollment Goals.--Section 1231(d) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 
3831(d)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting:
            ``(1) Acreage authorized.--The Secretary''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(2) Enrollment goals.--For the period beginning on the 
        date of the enactment of this paragraph and ending on December 
        31, 2013, the Secretary shall establish a goal--
                    ``(A) to enroll not less than 7,000,000 acres of 
                eligible land, including land to be devoted to the 
                restoration of rare and declining forests, through the 
                continuous enrollment program and the conservation 
                reserve enhancement program; and
                    ``(B) to maintain enrollment of at least 7,800,000 
                acres in the Prairie Pothole Region National 
                Conservation Priority Area.''.
    (d) Contracts To Restore Rare and Declining Forests.--(d) Section 
1231(e)(2) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3831(e)(2)) is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(C) Rare and declining forests.--In the case of 
                land to be devoted to the restoration of rare and 
                declining forest ecosystems, as determined by the 
                Secretary, the Secretary may enter into contracts of 
                more than 15 years.''.
    (e) Balance of Natural Resource Purposes.--Section 1231(j) of such 
Act (16 U.S.C. 3831(j)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``In determining'' and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(1) Equitable balance of conservation purposes.--In 
        determining'';
            (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``, but 
        need not balance all conservation purposes with respect to each 
        particular contract offer.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(2) Wildlife.--In considering the extent to which a 
        contract offer will achieve the conservation purposes of the 
        program related to wildlife habitat, the Secretary shall 
        consider the extent to which the contract offer will contribute 
        to increased populations of wildlife, including waterfowl, 
        nongame grassland birds and neotropical migrants, and assist in 
        the recovery of at-risk species.''.
    (f) Duties of Participants.--Section 1232(a) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 
3832(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as 
                subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting before subparagraph (B), as so 
                redesignated, the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(A) approved vegetative cover shall not include 
                vegetative cover inappropriate to the locale;'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (10) as 
        paragraphs (6) through (11), respectively;
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(5) to undertake appropriate management activities on the 
        land as needed throughout the term of the contract to achieve 
        the purposes of the conservation reserve program;''; and
            (4) in subparagraph (A)(i)(II) of paragraph (8), as so 
        redesignated, by inserting after ``may be conducted'' the 
        following: ``, taking into account grassland types and species, 
        location, weather conditions, and other factors that determine 
        to what extent harvesting and grazing activities will advance 
        the conservation purposes of the program''.
    (g) Conservation Plan.--Section 1232(b)(1) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 
3832(b)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; and'' and 
        inserting ``, including appropriate management activities 
        required by subsection (a)(5);'' and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(C) criteria for conducting any commercial use to 
                be permitted, including criteria for managed harvesting 
                and grazing specifying frequency, timing, number of 
                animal units, percentage of field, and other criteria 
                to ensure that managed harvesting and grazing advances 
                the conservation purposes of the program; and''.
    (h) Cost-Share and Management Assistance.--Section 1234(b) of such 
Act (16 U.S.C. 3834(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting before the period at the 
        end the following: ``, except that the Secretary shall pay 75 
        percent of the cost of establishing bottomland hardwood trees 
        and longleaf pine''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(6) Management costs.--The Secretary shall pay 75 percent 
        of the cost of management activities, including the use of 
        prescribed fire, control of invasive species, and native 
        understory restoration on land devoted to trees, that are 
        required under a contract entered into under this subchapter, 
        subject to such limits as the Secretary may establish.''.
    (i) Acceptance of Contract Offers.--Section 1234(c)(3) of such Act 
(16 U.S.C. 3834(c)(3)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``In determining'' and inserting the 
        following:
                    ``(A) Maximizing environmental benefits.--In 
                determining'';
            (2) by striking ``may'' and all that follows through ``take 
        into consideration'' and inserting ``shall take into 
        consideration'';
            (3) by striking ``benefits; and'' and inserting ``benefits. 
        The Secretary shall establish criteria for the acceptance of 
        contract offers that will maximize environmental benefits, 
        including criteria related to the characteristics of the land 
        that is the subject of the contract offer, its location, 
        proposed cover and proposed management practices.'';
            (4) by striking ``(B) establish'' and inserting the 
        following:
                    ``(B) Flexibility.--The Secretary may establish'';
            (5) by striking ``abated.'' and inserting ``abated, in 
        order to more effectively address specific State or regional 
        resource concerns and conservation priorities, including 
        restoration of rare and declining forest ecosystems.''; and
            (6) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(C) Relationship to other conservation 
                programs.--In the enrollment of land in the 
                conservation reserve established under this subchapter, 
                the Secretary shall give a priority to land that cannot 
                produce comparable environmental benefits if maintained 
                in agricultural production and enrolled in the 
                environmental quality incentives program or other 
                program designed to assist producers in improving the 
                environmental performance of working agricultural 
                land.''.
    (j) Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.--Section 1234(f)(1) 
of such Act is (16 U.S.C. 3834(f)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new sentence: ``The Secretary may waive this payment 
limitation for persons participating in a conservation reserve 
enhancement program if the Secretary determines such a waiver is 
necessary to achieve the objectives of the conservation reserve 
enhancement program.''.

SEC. 102. WETLANDS RESERVE PROGRAM.

    (a) Extension.--
            (1) Funding extension.--Section 1241(a)(2) of the Food 
        Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(2)) is amended by 
        striking ``The'' and inserting ``For each of fiscal years 2002 
        through 2013, the''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 1237(c) of such Act (16 
        U.S.C. 3837(c)) is amended by striking ``2007'' and inserting 
        ``2013''.
    (b) Maximum and Yearly Enrollment.--Section 1237(b)(1) of such Act 
(16 U.S.C. 3837(b)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``2,275,000 acres'' and inserting 
        ``5,000,000 acres''; and
            (2) by striking ``250,000 acres in each calendar year'' and 
        inserting ``350,000 acres in each of calendar years 2008 and 
        2009 and 250,000 acres in each of calendar years 2010 through 
        2013''.
    (c) Enrollment of Riparian Areas.--Section 1237(d)(3) of such Act 
(16 U.S.C. 3837(d)(3)) is amended by striking ``that link'' and all 
that follows through ``an easement''.
    (d) Wetland Easement Conservation Plan.--Section 1237A(b)(3) of 
such Act (16 U.S.C. 3837a(b)(3)) is amended by inserting before the 
semicolon at the end the following: ``and management activities 
necessary to maintain the functional values of the wetlands''.
    (e) Valuation of Easements.--Section 1237A(f) of such Act (16 
U.S.C. 3837a(f)) is amended by striking ``but not to exceed'' and all 
that follows through the end of the sentence and inserting ``, and the 
amount of such compensation shall be based on appraisals of the current 
fair market agricultural value of the land to be encumbered by the 
easement. The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property 
Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.) shall not 
apply to appraisals of land offered for enrollment in the wetlands 
reserve program.''.
    (f) Cost-Share and Management Assistance.--Section 1237C of such 
Act (16 U.S.C. 3837c) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ``including 
        management activities,'' after ``values,''; and
            (2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following 
        new paragraph:
            ``(4) Management costs.--The Secretary may make payments to 
        owners to cover up to the full actual cost of undertaking any 
        ongoing or periodic management activities necessary to maintain 
        the functional values of wetland enrolled in the wetlands 
        reserve program.''.
    (g) Easement Priorities.--Section 1237C(d) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 
3837c(d)) is amended by striking ``wildlife'' and inserting ``wildlife, 
particularly rare, threatened, endangered, and candidate species, or 
for furthering the goals and objectives of the State's comprehensive 
wildlife conservation strategy''.

SEC. 103. CONSERVATION SECURITY PROGRAM.

    (a) Repeal of Funding Cap.--Section 1241(a)(3) of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(3)) is amended by striking ``, using not 
more than'' and all that follows through ``2015''.
    (b) Program Extension.--Section 1238A(a) of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838a(a)) is amended by striking ``2011'' and 
inserting ``2013''.
    (c) Three Tiers of Conservation Security Contracts.--Section 
1238A(d) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3838a(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (R) and (S) as 
                subparagraphs (S) and (T), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after subparagraph (Q), the 
                following new subparagraph:
                    ``(R) enhancement of in-stream flows;'';
            (2) in paragraph (5)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                striking ``paragraph (6)'' and inserting ``paragraph 
                (7)'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I), by striking ``1 
                significant resource'' and inserting ``2 significant 
                resources''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (B)(ii)(I), by striking ``1 
                significant resource'' and inserting ``3 significant 
                resources''; and
            (3) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (7); and
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(6) Soil quality requirements for certain producers.--
        Certified organic producers and producers implementing a 
        resource-conserving crop rotation shall be deemed to meet any 
        minimum requirements related to soil quality and the 
        preservation of soil carbon that the Secretary may establish 
        for each tier of conservation security contracts.''.
    (d) Contract Renewal.--Section 1238A(e)(4) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 
3838a(e)(4)) is amended----
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``subparagraph (B)'' 
        and inserting ``subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D)''; and
            (2) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
        following new subparagraphs:
                    ``(B) Tier i renewals.--In the case of land 
                enrolled under a Tier I conservation security contract 
                of a producer, the producer may--
                            ``(i) renew the contract if the producer 
                        agrees to a new conservation security plan that 
                        addresses at least one additional significant 
                        resource concern and includes significant new 
                        conservation practices and activities, as 
                        determined by the Secretary; or
                            ``(ii) enroll the land under a Tier II or 
                        Tier III conservation security contract at the 
                        time the Tier I contract expires if the 
                        producer demonstrates that the eligibility 
                        criteria for a Tier III conservation security 
                        contract are met.
                    ``(C) Tier ii renewals.--In the case of land 
                enrolled under a Tier II conservation security contract 
                of a producer, the producer may--
                            ``(i) renew the contract if the producer 
                        agrees to a new conservation security plan that 
                        includes significant new conservation practices 
                        or activities, as determined by the Secretary; 
                        or
                            ``(ii) enroll the land under a Tier III 
                        conservation security contract at the time the 
                        Tier II contract expires if the producer 
                        demonstrates that the eligibility criteria for 
                        a Tier III conservation security contract are 
                        met.
                    ``(D) Tier iii renewals.--In the case of land 
                enrolled under a Tier III conservation security 
                contract of a producer, the producer may renew the 
                contract, subject to a benchmark assessment by the 
                Secretary to determine whether the producer fully 
                complied with the requirements of the Tier III 
                conservation security plan.''.
    (e) Elimination of Maintenance Payments.--Section 1238C(b)(1)(B) of 
such Act (16 U.S.C. 3838c(b)(1)(B)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new sentence: ``Effective for payments made after October 1, 
2006, payments under a conservation security contract may not include 
amounts for the maintenance of existing land management and vegetative 
practices or the maintenance of existing land-based structural 
practices.''.
    (f) Minimum Contract Payment.--Section 1238C(b) of such Act (16 
U.S.C. 3838c(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
            ``(4) Minimum payment.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
        in this subsection, a producer participating in the 
        conservation security program shall be entitled to an annual 
        payment of not less than $1,500 under a conservation security 
        contract.''.
    (g) Enrollment Procedures.--Subsection (f) of section 1238C of such 
Act (16 U.S.C. 3838c) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(f) Enrollment Procedures.--
            ``(1) No use of competitive bidding.--In entering into 
        conservation security contracts with producers under this 
        subchapter, the Secretary shall not use competitive bidding or 
        any similar procedure.
            ``(2) Continuous enrollment for tier iii contracts.--The 
        Secretary shall enroll lands that meet Tier III enrollment 
        criteria on a continuous basis.
            ``(3) Periodic enrollment opportunities for tier i and ii 
        contracts.--The Secretary shall ensure that producers whose 
        land meets the eligibility criteria for enrollment under a Tier 
        I or Tier II conservation security contract have the 
        opportunity to enroll the land in the conservation security 
        program once every three years.''.
    (h) Technical Assistance.--Subsection (f) of section 1238C of such 
Act (16 U.S.C. 3838c) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(g) Technical Assistance.--
            ``(1) Provision of technical assistance.--For each of 
        fiscal years 2003 through 2013, the Secretary shall provide 
        appropriate technical assistance to producers for the 
        development and implementation of conservation security 
        contracts.
            ``(2) Limitation.--The amount expended to provide technical 
        assistance with respect to a conservation security contract 
        over the life of the contract may not exceed 15 percent of the 
        total amount expended over the life of the contract.''.

SEC. 104. REAUTHORIZATION OF AND INCREASED ENROLLMENT AUTHORITY FOR 
              GRASSLAND RESERVE PROGRAM.

    (a) Extension and Funding.--Section 1241(a) of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (5) 
and inserting the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) For each of fiscal years 2002 through 2013, the 
        grassland reserve program under subchapter C of chapter 2.''.
    (b) Enrollment Goals and Limitation on Use of Rental Agreements.--
Section 1238N(b) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3838N(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2,000,000 acres'' and 
        inserting ``10,000,000 acres''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following 
        new paragraphs:
            ``(3) Limitation on use of rental agreements.--Of the total 
        number of acres enrolled in the program at any one time through 
        the methods described in paragraph (2)(A), not more than 30 
        percent of the acres shall be enrolled through the use of 
        rental agreements described in clause (i) of such paragraph.
            ``(4) Enrollment goal.--For the period beginning on the 
        date of the enactment of this paragraph and ending on December 
        31, 2013, the Secretary shall establish a goal to enroll not 
        less than 2,000,000 acres of native grasslands in the 
        program.''.
    (c) Enrollment of Conservation Reserve Program Land.--Section 1238N 
of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3838N) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection:
    ``(d) Enrollment of Conservation Reserve Program Land.--
            ``(1) Enrollment authorized.--Subject to the eligibility 
        requirements of subsection (c) and all other requirements of 
        this subchapter, land enrolled in the conservation reserve 
        program may be enrolled in the grassland reserve program if the 
        Secretary determines that the land is of high ecological value 
        and under significant threat of conversion to other uses.
            ``(2) Maximum enrollment.--The enrollment of conservation 
        reserve program land under this subsection shall not exceed 50 
        percent of the total number of acres enrolled in the grassland 
        reserve program in a given fiscal year.
            ``(3) Prohibition on duplication of payments.--Land 
        enrolled in the grassland reserve program under this subsection 
        shall no longer be eligible for payments under the conservation 
        reserve program.''.
    (d) Equity for Pasture-Based Operations.--Section 1238N of such Act 
(16 U.S.C. 3838N) is further amended by inserting after subsection (d), 
as added by subsection (c), the following new subsection:
    ``(e) Equity for Pasture-Based Operations.--Consistent with the 
other requirements of the program, the Secretary shall implement the 
program in a manner that ensures that, to the greatest extent 
practicable, landowners operating pasture-based systems have an equal 
opportunity to enroll in the program.''.
    (e) Biodiversity.--Section 1238O of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3838o) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections 
        (e) and (f), respectively; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(f) Biodiversity.--In emphasizing support for biodiversity 
consistent with the requirements of subsection (c), the Secretary shall 
give priority to agreements and easements that protect and restore 
habitat for rare, threatened, endangered, and candidate species or 
further the goals and objectives of the State's comprehensive wildlife 
conservation strategy.''.
    (f) Special Grasslands Reserve Enhancement Program.--Section 1238P 
of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3838p) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection:
    ``(e) Special Grasslands Reserve Enhancement Agreements.--
            ``(1) Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into a special 
        grasslands reserve enhancement agreement with a State under 
        which the Secretary will make payments to the State or 
        political subdivisions or agencies of the State to advance the 
        purposes of the grassland reserve program in the State.
            ``(2) Payment limitations.--Section 1305(d) of the Omnibus 
        Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 1308 note; Public 
        Law 100-203) shall not apply to payments received by a State or 
        political subdivision or agency thereof in connection with an 
        agreement entered into under subsection (a).''.

SEC. 105. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM.

    (a) Extension.--
            (1) Funding extension and increase.--Section 1241(a) of the 
        Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) is amended by 
        striking paragraph (6) and inserting the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(6) The environmental quality incentives program under 
        chapter 4, using, to the maximum extent practicable, 
        $2,000,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--Section 1240B of such Act is 
        amended (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2)--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``2010'' and 
                inserting ``2013''; and
                    (B) in subsection (g), by striking ``2007'' and 
                inserting ``2013''.
    (b) Purposes.--Section 1240 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3839aa) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, conserving energy,'' 
        after ``resources''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``and conserve energy,'' 
        after ``wildlife''.
    (c) Predator Deterrence.--Section 1240B(a) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 
3839aa-2(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following paragraph:
            ``(3) Predator deterrence.--A producer that implements 
        practices or other measures as part of a system of proactive 
        predator deterrence for large carnivores, including the use of 
        range riders, removal of carcasses, and installation of 
        electric fencing around calving areas, shall be eligible to 
        receive cost-share or incentive payments under this chapter.''.
    (d) Bidding Down.--Subsection (c) of section 1240B of such Act (16 
U.S.C. 3839aa-2) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Bidding Down.--The Secretary shall not assign a higher 
priority to any application because the applicant is willing to accept 
a lower cost-share or incentive payment than the applicant would 
otherwise be entitled to receive. Nothing in this subsection shall be 
construed to relieve the Secretary of the obligation, when evaluating 
applications for cost-share payments and incentive payments, to 
evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the proposed conservation practices, 
systems, and approaches described in the applications and to prioritize 
the most cost-effective applications, as required by section 
1240C(1).''.
    (e) Evaluation of Applications for Cost-Share Payments and 
Incentive Payments.--Section 1240C of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-3) is 
amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 1240C. EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS FOR COST-SHARE PAYMENTS AND 
              INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.

    ``(a) Evaluation Priorities and Criteria.--In evaluating 
applications for cost-share payments and incentive payments, the 
Secretary shall--
            ``(1) prioritize applications based on their overall level 
        of cost-effectiveness to ensure that the conservation 
        practices, systems, and approaches proposed are the most 
        efficient means of achieving the anticipated environmental 
        benefits of the project;
            ``(2) prioritize applications based on how effectively and 
        comprehensively the project addresses the designated resource 
        concern or resource concerns;
            ``(3) reward higher levels of environmental performance, 
        such as advanced levels of management within land management 
        practices;
            ``(4) develop criteria for evaluating applications that 
        will ensure that national, State, and local conservation 
        priorities are effectively addressed; and
            ``(5) prioritize applications that will improve 
        environmental performance on existing operations.
    ``(b) Special Rule for Projects To Improve Wildlife Habitat.--In 
evaluating applications for cost-share payments and incentive payments 
primarily to improve wildlife habitat, in addition to meeting the 
requirements of subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to 
applications that--
            ``(1) protect and restore habitat for rare, threatened, 
        endangered, and candidate species; or
            ``(2) further the goals and objectives of the State's 
        comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy.''.
    (f) Conservation Innovation Grants.--Section 1240H of such Act (16 
U.S.C. 3839aa-8) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``may'' and inserting 
        ``shall'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``may'' and inserting ``shall'';
                    (B) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph 
                (2);
                    (C) by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
                (3) and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(4) include a plan for technology transfer.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
    ``(d) Technology Transfer.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
Secretary shall ensure efficient, effective transfer of innovative 
technologies and approaches demonstrated through projects that receive 
funding under this section.
    ``(e) Funding.--In addition to amounts made available under section 
1241(a)(6) to carry out this chapter, the Secretary shall use funds of 
the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this section in the 
following amounts:
            ``(1) 40,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
            ``(2) 50,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
            ``(3) 60,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
            ``(4) 75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 
        2013.''.
    (g) Funding Under Ground and Surface Water Conservation Program.--
Subsection (c) section 1240I of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-9) is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Funding.--The Secretary shall use $100,000,000 of the funds 
of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this section for each 
of fiscal years 2008 through 2013. These funds are in addition to 
amounts made available under section 1241(a)(6) to carry out this 
chapter.''.
    (h) Additional Provisions.--Chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of 
such Act is amended by adding at the end the following new sections:

``SEC. 1240J. PROMOTION OF FOREST STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES.

    ``(a) Cost-Share Payments and Incentive Payments.--In carrying out 
the program under this chapter, the Secretary shall promote forest 
stewardship by providing cost-share payments and incentive payments to 
non-industrial private forest owners to carry out eligible conservation 
activities, to--
            ``(1) improve water quality;
            ``(2) improve habitat for at-risk species;
            ``(3) restore ecologically important forest types; or
            ``(4) control invasive species.
    ``(b) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority to projects that 
involve multiple landowners implementing eligible conservation 
activities in a coordinated way to address the purposes described in 
subsection (a).
    ``(c) Funding.--
            ``(1) Amounts.--The Secretary shall use funds of the 
        Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this section in the 
        following amounts:
                    ``(A) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
                    ``(B) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
                    ``(C) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
                    ``(D) $75,000,000 million for each of fiscal years 
                2011 and 2012; and
                    ``(E) $100 million for fiscal year 2013.
            ``(2) Relation to other funds.--The funds made available 
        under paragraph (1) are in addition to amounts made available 
        under section 1241(a)(6) to carry out this chapter.

``SEC. 1240K. ENHANCED NUTRIENT AND MANURE MANAGEMENT.

    ``(a) Demonstration and Implementation of Nutrient and Manure 
Management Conservation Practices.--In carrying out the program under 
this chapter, the Secretary shall provide cost-share, incentive 
payments, and technical assistance to agricultural producers to 
demonstrate and implement innovative and advanced conservation measures 
that hold substantial promise for producing cost-effective improvements 
to air and water quality by reducing the loss of nutrients to the 
environment. Such conservation measures may include:
            ``(1) Manure processing and treatment technologies to 
        permit more effective use and transport of manure nutrients, 
        including energy production.
            ``(2) Innovative land management practices for nutrient 
        loss reduction, such as soil amendments, innovative cropping or 
        grazing systems, precision nutrient application, on-farm 
        analysis of nutrient needs, and performance-based incentive 
        systems.
            ``(3) Feed management.
            ``(4) Other projects that demonstrate and transfer the most 
        cost-effective measures and technologies to reduce nitrogen and 
        phosphorus losses.
    ``(b) Priorities.--The Secretary shall give priority to projects 
that--
            ``(1) involve multiple landowners implementing conservation 
        measures described in subsection (a) in a coordinated way to 
        address the purposes of this section;
            ``(2) have a high likelihood of advancing or demonstrating 
        advanced manure or nutrient management measures; and
            ``(3) are anticipated to produce significant benefits to 
        air and water quality.
    ``(c) Locations of Projects.--To be eligible to receive assistance 
under this section, a project must be located in a watershed or 
subwatershed of a body of water impaired by nutrients in which either--
            ``(1) the amount of nutrients contained in manure produced 
        in the watershed or subwatershed exceeds the amount that can be 
        applied to cropland at agronomic rates; or
            ``(2) conventional nutrient management techniques are 
        inadequate to meet water quality standards.
    ``(d) Regional Technical Advisory Committees.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish 
        regional technical advisory committees to assist the Secretary 
        in selecting projects for funding under this section.
            ``(2) Participation.--A regional technical advisory 
        committee shall include scientists and other persons with 
        expertise related to innovative and advanced nutrient 
        management, to be appointed from agencies within the Department 
        of Agriculture, other Federal and State agencies, producer 
        associations, environmental organizations, and other interested 
        groups.
            ``(3) Relationship to state technical committees.--Subtitle 
        G, relating to State technical committees shall apply to a 
        regional technical advisory committee, except that members of 
        the committee shall be appointed on a regional basis consistent 
        with paragraph (2).
    ``(e) Equal Treatment.--In implementing this section, the Secretary 
shall ensure that farms of all sizes are treated equitably.
    ``(f) Funding.--In addition to amounts made available under section 
1241(a)(6) to carry out this chapter, the Secretary shall use funds of 
the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this section in the 
following amounts:
            ``(1) $160,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
            ``(2) $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
            ``(3) $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010, 2011, 
        2012, and 2013.

``SEC. 1240L. PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES FOR STATES.

    ``(a) High Level of Performance Bonus.--For each of fiscal years 
2008 through 2013, 10 percent of the funds made available under this 
chapter shall be reserved by the Secretary for bonus allocations to 
States that demonstrate a high level of performance in implementing the 
environmental quality incentives program.
    ``(b) Special Considerations.--In evaluating State performance 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall reward States that--
            ``(1) consistently meet the requirements of section 1240C 
        in evaluating offers and payments;
            ``(2) dedicate a portion of their annual environmental 
        quality incentives program allocation to multi-producer 
        cooperative efforts to address specific resource concerns;
            ``(3) collaborate with other Federal and State agencies, 
        local governments, educational institutions, and for-profit and 
        nonprofit organizations to monitor and evaluate the 
        environmental outcomes associated with implementation of the 
        environmental quality incentives program;
            ``(4) demonstrate effective and efficient program delivery, 
        including the provision of adequate technical assistance to all 
        program participants through appropriate staffing and through 
        cooperation with other Federal, State, Tribal, and local 
        agencies, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and 
        individuals with demonstrated expertise in the planning and 
        implementation of conservation practices, systems, and 
        approaches;
            ``(5) support and encourage innovative approaches to 
        addressing resource concerns; and
            ``(6) demonstrate effective outreach and innovative 
        approaches to reaching and serving beginning farmers and 
        ranchers, limited-resource producers, and operators with lower 
        rates of historical participation in Federal farm and 
        conservation programs.''.

SEC. 106. REAUTHORIZATION OF AND INCREASED FUNDING FOR WILDLIFE HABITAT 
              INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

    (a) Extension and Funding.--Section 1241(a)(7) of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(7)) is amended by striking subparagraphs 
(A) through (D) and inserting the following new subparagraphs:
                    ``(A) $85,000,000 in fiscal year 2007;
                    ``(B) $100,000,000 in fiscal year 2008;
                    ``(C) $140,000,000 in fiscal year 2009;
                    ``(D) $200,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2010 and 
                2011; and
                    ``(E) $300,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2012 and 
                2013.''.
    (b) Funding Set-Aside for Long-Term Agreements.--Section 
1240N(b)(2) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-1(b)(2)) is amended by 
striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
                    ``(B) Funds for long-term agreements.--To the 
                maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall use 25 
                percent of the funds made available under section 
                1241(a)(7) for a fiscal year to carry out during that 
                fiscal year contracts and agreements described in 
                subparagraph (A).''.
    (c) Incentive Payments and Program Priorities.--Section 1240N of 
such Act (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-1) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection:
    ``(d) Incentive Payments and Program Priorities.--
            ``(1) Priorities.--In carrying out this section, the 
        Secretary shall give priority to agreements and contracts that 
        will--
                    ``(A) protect or restore habitat for a federally or 
                State-listed rare, threatened, endangered, and 
                candidate species; or
                    ``(B) further the goals and objectives of a State's 
                comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy.
            ``(2) Incentive payments for certain agreements and 
        applications.--In a case in which the Secretary enters into an 
        agreement or contract described in paragraph (1), the Secretary 
        may provide incentive payments to landowners under the 
        agreement or contract, including the cost of management 
        activities needed during the term of the agreement or 
        contract.''.
    (d) Fish Habitat.--Section 1240N of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-1) 
is further amended by inserting after subsection (d), as added by 
subsection (c), the following new subsection:
    ``(e) Development of Fish Habitat.--
            ``(1) Purposes of cost-share payments.--Subsection 
        (b)(1)(D) authorizes the Secretary to make cost-share payments 
        to landowners to develop fish habitat. The development of fish 
        habitat using such cost-share payments may include activities--
                    ``(A) to protect streamside areas, including 
                through the installation of riparian fencing and 
                improved stream crossings;
                    ``(B) to repair in-stream habitat;
                    ``(C) to improve water flows and water quality, 
                including through channel restoration;
                    ``(D) to initiate watershed management and planning 
                in areas in which streams are in a degraded condition 
                due to past agricultural or forestry practices; and
                    ``(E) to undertake other types of stream habitat 
                improvement approved by the Secretary.
            ``(2) Priority projects.--When considering applications 
        describing projects to protect or restore fish habitat, the 
        Secretary shall give priority to applicants who will use the 
        cost-share payments to carry out a project--
                    ``(A) to remove a small dam or in-stream structure;
                    ``(B) to improve fish passage, including through 
                culvert repair and maintenance;
                    ``(C) to protect streamside areas;
                    ``(D) to improve water flows, including through 
                irrigation efficiency improvements; or
                    ``(E) to improve in-stream flow quality or timing 
                or temperature regimes.
            ``(3) Priority for projects including upland 
        improvements.--In addition to the priority projects described 
        in paragraph (2), to ensure that projects intended to protect 
        or restore fish habitat also address the causes of stream 
        habitat degradation, the Secretary shall give priority among 
        applications describing such projects to applicants who 
        demonstrate that upland improvements associated with the stream 
        habitat improvement, including erosion and nutrient management 
        have been, or will be, carried out.''.

SEC. 107. COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE.

    (a) Establishment of Grant Program.--Subtitle D of title XII of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 is amended by adding at the end the following 
new chapter:

      ``CHAPTER 6--COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE

``SEC. 1240W. COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE.

    ``(a) Grants and Agreements.--The Secretary shall make grants and 
enter into agreements for not shorter than two-year or longer than 
five-year terms with eligible entities specified in subsection (c) to 
preferentially enroll producers in one or more of the programs 
specified in subsection (b) to carry out special projects and 
initiatives through which multiple producers and other interested 
persons cooperate to improve water quality or address other specific 
resources of concern related to agricultural production on a local, 
State, or regional scale.
    ``(b) Covered Programs.--The conservation programs referred to in 
subsection (a) are the following:
            ``(1) Conservation reserve program, but only the continuous 
        signup portion of the program.
            ``(2) Conservation reserve enhancement program.
            ``(3) Environmental quality incentives program.
            ``(4) Farmland protection program.
            ``(5) Grassland reserve program.
            ``(6) Ground and surface water conservation program.
            ``(7) Wetland reserve program.
            ``(8) Wildlife habitat incentive program.
    ``(c) Eligible Partners.--Agreements may be entered into under this 
section with any of the following (or a combination thereof):
            ``(1) States and agencies of States.
            ``(2) Political subdivisions of States, including State-
        sponsored conservation districts.
            ``(3) Indian tribes.
            ``(4) Nongovernmental organizations and associations, 
        including conservation organizations and producer associations 
        and cooperatives.
    ``(d) Applications.--
            ``(1) Competitive process.--The Secretary shall establish a 
        competitive process for considering applications for agreements 
        under this section consistent with the evaluation criteria 
        listed in subsection (e).
            ``(2) Program allocation.--Applications shall include--
                    ``(A) specification of the amount of funding or 
                acres of one or more covered programs specified in 
                subsection (b) proposed to be allocated to carry out 
                the special project or initiative; and
                    ``(B) a schedule for utilization of funding or 
                acres over the life of the proposed project or 
                initiative.
    ``(e) Evaluation Criteria.--In evaluating applications for 
agreements under this section the Secretary shall consider the extent 
to which--
            ``(1) preferential enrollment in the covered programs 
        specified in the application will effectively address the 
        environmental objectives established for the special project or 
        initiative; and
            ``(2) the special project or initiative covered by the 
        application--
                    ``(A) enjoys broad local and regional support from 
                producers and other interested persons, including 
                governmental and nongovernmental organizations with 
                appropriate expertise on the issues the project or 
                initiative seeks to address;
                    ``(B) includes clear environmental objectives and a 
                high likelihood of success;
                    ``(C) includes a well defined project or initiative 
                plan that identifies sensitive areas requiring 
                treatment and prioritizes conservation systems, 
                practices, and activities needed to achieve 
                environmental objectives;
                    ``(D) promises adequate and coordinated 
                participation to achieve the objectives of the project 
                or initiative;
                    ``(E) coordinates integration of local, State, and 
                Federal efforts to make the best use of available 
                resources and maximize cost-effective investments;
                    ``(F) leverages financial and technical resources 
                from sources other than the programs authorized by this 
                subtitle, including financial and technical resources 
                provided by Federal and State agencies, local 
                governments, nongovernmental organizations and 
                associations, and other private sector entities;
                    ``(G) describes how all necessary technical 
                assistance will be provided to each producer 
                participating in the project or initiative, including 
                cost estimates for technical assistance and whether 
                such assistance will be provided by technical service 
                providers;
                    ``(H) addresses a local, State, regional, or 
                national environmental priority or priorities, with 
                particular emphasis on any priority for which there is 
                an existing State or federally approved plan in place 
                for addressing that priority;
                    ``(I) links environmental and conservation 
                objectives with other objectives, such as spurring 
                rural economic development through increased 
                opportunities in the project area for recreation, 
                value-added enterprises, or direct marketing of 
                agricultural products, and assisting beginning, limited 
                resource, tribal, and other producers maintain the 
                viability of their operations;
                    ``(J) includes a plan to evaluate progress and 
                measure results; and
                    ``(K) clearly demonstrates that enrollment of 
                producers in covered programs will be consistent with 
                the purposes and policies of each individual program, 
                as established in statute, rules and regulations, and 
                program guidance promulgated by implementing agencies.
    ``(f) Priorities.--To the maximum extent practicable, consistent 
with the requirements of subsection (d), the Secretary shall ensure 
that, each fiscal year, grants are awarded and agreements are entered 
into under this section to support projects and initiatives that 
collectively address the full range of resource concerns facing 
producers, ranchers, and small private forest landowners, including 
specifically projects and initiatives that are designed--
            ``(1) to achieve improvements in water quality in 
        watersheds impacted by agriculture, particularly by increasing 
        the participation of producers in implementing best management 
        practices in a watershed or developing environmentally and 
        economically viable alternative uses for manure and litter;
            ``(2) to achieve improvements in air quality in a 
        geographical area where agricultural operations impact air 
        quality, especially an area that, as determined by the 
        Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, is a 
        nonattainment area with respect to any of the national ambient 
        air quality standards promulgated by the Administrator under 
        section 109 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7409);
            ``(3) to conserve water for environmental purposes such as 
        enhanced in stream flows or aquifer recharge in regions, 
        States, or local areas where water quantity is a concern;
            ``(4) to assist in the recovery of Federal or State-listed 
        endangered species or species of special concern or to further 
        the goals and objectives of a State's comprehensive wildlife 
        conservation plan through the cooperative efforts of multiple 
        producers;
            ``(5) to control invasive species on rangeland or other 
        agricultural land through the cooperative efforts of multiple 
        producers in a geographical area;
            ``(6) to address a specific resource of concern or set of 
        concerns on private, non-industrial forest land;
            ``(7) to reduce losses of pesticides to the environment by 
        engaging multiple producers in a geographic area in adoption of 
        integrated pest management practices and approaches; and
            ``(8) to keep working farms and ranches facing development 
        pressures in agricultural use.
    ``(g) Cost Share.--
            ``(1) Maximum; exceptions.--The Secretary shall not require 
        more than 25 percent of the cost of a project or initiative 
        supported under an agreement entered into under this section to 
        come from non-Federal sources. However, the Secretary may award 
        more points to projects or initiatives offering to cover a 
        higher percentage of the cost of the project or initiative from 
        non-Federal sources.
            ``(2) In-kind contributions.--If the Secretary establishes 
        a cost-share requirement for a project or initiative, the 
        Secretary shall allow the use of in-kind contributions to meet 
        that requirement.
    ``(h) Funding.--
            ``(1) Set-aside.--Of the funds provided each fiscal year to 
        implement the programs specified in subsection (b), the 
        Secretary shall use 20 percent to provide funds under 
        agreements entered into under this section.
            ``(2) Allocation to states.--The Secretary shall allocate 
        to States 60 percent of the funds reserved under paragraph (1) 
        to allow State Conservationists, with the advice of State 
        technical committees, to select projects and initiatives for 
        funding under this section at the State level.
            ``(3) Water quality.--To the maximum extent practicable and 
        consistent with the other requirements of this section, the 
        Secretary shall ensure that 50 percent of the funds awarded 
        each year under this section are awarded to projects and 
        initiatives that will improve water quality.''.
    (b) Conforming Repeal.--Section 1243 of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3843) is amended by striking subsection (f).

SEC. 108. REGIONAL EQUITY IN FUNDING OF CERTAIN DEPARTMENT OF 
              AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.

    Subsection (d) of section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3841) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Minimum Base Allocation to States for Certain Conservation 
Programs.--
            ``(1) Minimum allocation.--In allocating funds to States to 
        implement the conservation programs under this subtitle D, 
        other than the programs excluded by paragraph (2), the 
        Secretary shall ensure that each State receives, at a minimum, 
        $15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2013.  
        Funds provided as part of a cooperative conservation 
        partnership initiative under chapter 6 to a project in a State 
        or in a State adjacent to that State shall not be counted as 
        part of the minimum base allocation to that State under this 
        subsection.
            ``(2) Certain programs excluded.--Paragraph (1) does not 
        apply to the following programs:
                    ``(A) The conservation reserve program under 
                subchapter B of chapter 1.
                    ``(B) The wetlands reserve program under subchapter 
                C of chapter 1.
                    ``(C) The conservation security program under 
                subchapter A of chapter 2.
                    ``(D) The grassland reserve program under 
                subchapter C of chapter 2.''.

SEC. 109. EXCLUSION OF PAYMENTS UNDER DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
              CONSERVATION PROGRAMS FROM ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME 
              LIMITATION.

    (a) Exclusion.--Subsection (b)(2) of section 1001D of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a) is amended by striking 
subparagraph (C).
    (b) Duration of Adjusted Gross Income Limitation.--Such section is 
further amended by striking subsection (e).

SEC. 110. REAUTHORIZATION OF AND ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR AGRICULTURAL 
              MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    (a) Reauthorization.--Subsection (b)(4)(B) of section 524 of the 
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524) is amended--
            (1) in clause (ii), by striking ``fiscal years 2003 through 
        2007'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2008 through 2013''; and
            (2) in clause (iii), by striking ``fiscal years 2004 
        through 2007'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2008 through 
        2013''.
    (b) Funding Levels.--Such subsection is further amended--
            (1) in clause (ii), by striking ``$20,000,000'' and 
        inserting ``$40,000,000''; and
            (2) in clause (iii)--
                    (A) in subclause (I), by striking ``$14,000,000'' 
                and inserting ``$28,000,000'';
                    (B) in subclause (II), by striking ``$1,000,000'' 
                and inserting ``$2,000,000''; and
                    (C) in subclause (III), by striking ``$5,000,000'' 
                and inserting ``$10,000,000''.

SEC. 111. COMMUNITY FORESTS AND OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The United States Forest Service projects that 44 
        million acres of privately owned forested land will be 
        developed in the United States by 2030, including many of the 
        most important remaining forested parcels within and adjacent 
        to communities.
            (2) There is an urgent need to assist local governments in 
        raising the funds necessary to purchase the most important of 
        these parcels of privately owned forested land as they come up 
        for sale.
            (3) The breakup of forested land into smaller parcels has 
        resulted in an increasing number of owners of privately owned 
        forested land, but many of these owners have little or no 
        experience in forest stewardship.
            (4) In fast growing communities of all sizes across the 
        United States, the remaining parcels of privately owned 
        forested land play an essential role in protecting public water 
        supplies, which has lead many local governments to purchase 
        these lands for municipal or county ownership.
            (5) Rising rates of obesity and other public health 
        problems related to inactivity have been shown to be 
        ameliorated by improving public access to safe and pleasing 
        areas for outdoor recreation, which has lead many local 
        governments to purchase lands for recreational purposes under 
        municipal or county ownership.
            (6) Across the United States, many communities of diverse 
        types and sizes are deriving significant financial benefit from 
        owning and managing municipal or county forestlands as a source 
        of local revenue that also contributes significantly to the 
        health of the forest products economy at the local and national 
        levels.
            (7) The access to privately owned forested land for 
        hunting, fishing, and trapping has declined, and the number of 
        persons participating in these activities has likewise 
        declined, as these lands are divided into smaller parcels and 
        more owners of privately owned forested land post their land 
        against public use, which has lead many local governments to 
        purchase forestlands to guarantee access for hunting, fishing, 
        and trapping.
            (8) There is a national interest and an urgent need to 
        assist local governments in raising the funds necessary to 
        purchase important privately owned forested land that will 
        maintain the diverse public benefits of forestlands close to or 
        within all manner of communities nationwide, from close-knit 
        rural communities to fast growing suburban and exurban areas.
    (b) Establishment of Program.--The Cooperative Forestry Assistance 
Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section:

``SEC. 21. COMMUNITY FORESTS AND OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Establishment and Purpose.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
shall establish within the Forest Service a program to be known as the 
`Community Forests and Open Space Conservation Program' (in this 
section referred to as the `Program') for the purpose of assisting 
local governments in a State selected to participate in the Program to 
acquire forested land that--
            ``(1) is economically, culturally, and environmentally 
        important to the locality in which the land is located;
            ``(2) is threatened by conversion to non-forest uses; and
            ``(3) will conserve public access to and benefit from the 
        land for a wide variety of public purposes, including model 
        forest stewardship, sustainable timber production, forest-based 
        educational and cultural activities, wildlife habitat 
        protection, watershed protection, or outdoor recreation, 
        including hunting and fishing.
    ``(b) Selection of Participating States.--
            ``(1) Selection.--Not later than one year after the date of 
        the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall select at 
        least one State in each of the New England, Mid-Atlantic, 
        Midwest, South, West, and Pacific Northwest regions of the 
        United States to participate in the Program. The Secretary 
        shall make the selections from among applications submitted by 
        willing States. No State shall be compelled to participate in 
        the Program.
            ``(2) Implementation.--Authority for implementation of the 
        Program in a participating State shall lie with the State 
        forester, equivalent State official, or other appropriate State 
        natural resource management agency designated by the Governor 
        of the State.
    ``(c) Eligibility and Ranking Criteria.--
            ``(1) State assessment of need.--Each participating State 
        shall prepare an assessment of need that identifies the 
        geographic areas within the State that will be the focus of 
        land acquisition activities under the Program and priority 
        objectives for conservation, based on conditions and public 
        needs in the State. This requirement may be satisfied by 
        inclusion of the assessment as part of an integrated State-wide 
        forest planning process for application of Federal programs in 
        the State.
            ``(2) Establishment of criteria.--Not later than one year 
        after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary 
        shall establish eligibility and ranking criteria for the 
        selection of land acquisition proposals to receive funding 
        under the Program. The Secretary shall establish the criteria 
        in consultation with State Forest Stewardship Advisory 
        Committees, State Urban and Community Forestry Advisory 
        Committees, and similar organizations.
            ``(3) Priorities.--In establishing the eligibility and 
        ranking criteria under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall give 
        priority to the acquisition of lands that--
                    ``(A) meet identified local open space and natural 
                resource needs, as expressed in town plans, regional 
                plans, or other relevant local planning documents;
                    ``(B) can be effectively managed to model good 
                forest stewardship for private landowners and support 
                forest-based educational programs, including vocational 
                education in forestry;
                    ``(C) provide significant protection of public 
                water supplies or other waterways;
                    ``(D) can offer long-term economic benefit to 
                communities through forestry;
                    ``(E) contain important wildlife habitat;
                    ``(F) provide convenient public access for outdoor 
                recreation, including hunting and fishing; and
                    ``(G) are most threatened with conversion to non-
                forest uses.
    ``(d) Application and Ranking of Proposals.--
            ``(1) Preparation and contents.--A local government in a 
        participating State may prepare an application for assistance 
        under the Program in the acquisition of forested land within 
        the geographic program focus area in the State identified under 
        subsection (c)(1). The application shall include certification 
        by the appropriate unit or units of local government that the 
        proposed land acquisition is consistent with any comprehensive 
        plans for development adopted by the unit of local government 
        and include such other information as the Secretary may 
        prescribe.
            ``(2) Submission.--Participating States shall rank all 
        applications according to priority and submit the applications 
        to the Secretary at such times and in such form as the 
        Secretary may prescribe.
            ``(3) National list.--The Secretary shall maintain a 
        national list of all submitted applications, ranked according 
        to the criteria established pursuant to subsection (c).
    ``(e) Ownership of Land.--
            ``(1) Government ownership.--Except as provided in 
        paragraph (2), all land acquired in whole or in part using 
        funds provided under the Program shall be owned in fee simple 
        by a local government, such as a municipality or county.
            ``(2) Nonprofit organization ownership.--Upon the request 
        of a participating State, designated nonprofit organizations 
        operating within that State may also own land acquired using 
        funds provided under the Program, subject to the condition that 
        the land is open for public access consistent with the purposes 
        and criteria of the Program.
            ``(3) Effect of violation.--If the owner of land acquired 
        in whole or in part using funds provided under the Program 
        sells the land, the owner shall reimburse the Secretary for the 
        full amount of the funds provided under the Program, plus a 
        penalty equal to 50 percent of the sale price or appraised 
        value of the land at the time of the sale, whichever is 
        greater. The local government or designated nonprofit 
        organization that sold the land shall no longer be eligible for 
        assistance under the Program.
    ``(f) Duties of Owners.--
            ``(1) Use and prohibition on conversion.--The owner of land 
        acquired in whole or in part using funds provided under the 
        Program shall manage the land in a manner that is consistent 
        with the purposes for which the land was purchased under the 
        Program and shall not convert the property to other non-forest 
        uses. Public access for compatible recreational uses, as 
        determined by the owner, shall be required.
            ``(2) Management plan.--Not later than two years after the 
        closing date on the purchase of land using funds under the 
        Program, the owner of the land shall complete a management plan 
        for the land, which shall be subject to the approval of the 
        responsible State agency. Management plans shall be created 
        through a public process that allows for community 
        participation and input.
    ``(g) Cost Sharing Requirements.--
            ``(1) Cost sharing.--In accordance with such terms and 
        conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, costs for the 
        acquisition of land under the Program, and other costs 
        associated with the Program, shall be shared among 
        participating entities, including State, county, municipal, and 
        other governmental units, landowners, corporations, or private 
        organizations. Such costs may include costs associated with 
        planning, administration, property acquisition, and property 
        management. The Secretary may authorize in-kind contributions.
            ``(2) Federal cost share.--The Federal share of the cost to 
        acquire land under the Program shall not exceed 50 percent of 
        the total cost to acquire the land. Payments under this section 
        shall be made in accordance with Federal appraisal and 
        acquisition standards and procedures.
            ``(3) Administration and technical assistance.--In order to 
        assist local governments in achieving model stewardship of land 
        acquired under the Program, 10 percent of all funds 
        appropriated for a fiscal year for the Program shall be 
        allocated to the responsible State agencies in participating 
        States to administer the Program and to provide technical 
        assistance to local governments for forest stewardship, 
        including development and implementation of management plans 
        required by subsection (f)(2).
    ``(h) Private Property Protections.--
            ``(1) Access.--Nothing in this section--
                    ``(A) requires a private property owner to permit 
                public access (including Federal, State, or local 
                government access) to private property; or
                    ``(B) modifies any provision of Federal, State, or 
                local law with regard to public access to, or use of, 
                private land.
            ``(2) Liability.--Nothing in this section creates any 
        liability, or has any effect on liability under any other law, 
        of a private property owner with respect to any persons injured 
        on the private property.
            ``(3) Recognition of authority to control land use.--
        Nothing in this section modifies any authority of Federal, 
        State, or local governments to regulate land use.
            ``(4) Participation of private property owners.--Nothing in 
        this section requires a private property owner to participate 
        in the Program.
    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the Program $50,000,000 for 
each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2013.''.

SEC. 112. FARMLAND PROTECTION AND FARM VIABILITY PROGRAMS.

    Paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of section 1241 of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(4) The farmland protection program under subchapter B of 
        chapter 2, using $300,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2008 
        through 2012.''.

SEC. 113. HEALTHY FORESTS RESERVE PROGRAM.

    (a) Methods of Enrollment.--Section 502(f)(1)of the Healthy Forests 
Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6572(f)(1)) is amended by striking 
subparagraph (C) and inserting the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(C) a permanent easement.''.
    (b) Funding.--Section 508 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 6578) is amended 
to read as follows:

``SEC. 508. FUNDING FOR HEALTHY FORESTS RESERVE PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Funding Source.--For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013, 
the Secretary shall use the funds, facilities, and authorities of the 
Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out the healthy forests reserve 
program, including the provision of technical assistance under the 
program.
    ``(b) Section 11 Cap.--The use of Commodity Credit Corporation 
funds under subsection (a) to provide technical assistance under the 
healthy forests reserve program shall not be considered an allotment or 
fund transfer from the Commodity Credit Corporation for purposes of the 
limitation on expenditures for technical assistance imposed by section 
11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714i).''.

SEC. 114. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE.

    (a) Initiative Required.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
implement an integrated pest management initiative in priority areas 
identified by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (b) for the purpose 
of assisting agricultural producers operating in a priority area to 
comply with pest management regulations and alleviate the need for 
additional regulations regarding pest management activities.
    (b) Identification of Priority Areas.--
            (1) Identification.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
        identify priority areas where the adoption by agricultural 
        producers of integrated pest management practices and 
        approaches offers the greatest potential benefit to producers 
        seeking to comply with pest management regulations and 
        alleviate the need for additional regulations regarding pest 
        management activities. At a minimum, priority areas shall 
        include agricultural lands dominated by the production of 
        specialty crops and agricultural lands where agricultural pest 
        management activities are regulated for the purpose of 
        mitigating specific impacts to human health or the environment, 
        such as an area in which pollutants exceed authorized total 
        maximum daily load or an air quality non-attainment area.
            (2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall identify priority 
        areas in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency, 
        the United States Geological Service, the United States Fish 
        and Wildlife Service, agricultural producers, appropriated 
        State agencies, and other interested persons.
    (c) Activities in Priority Areas.--
            (1) Expedited approval of management practices.--The 
        Secretary of Agriculture shall develop the best-available 
        integrated pest management practices for the primary 
        agricultural commodities and significant pests in each priority 
        area identified under subsection (b) and expedite approval of 
        these practices for implementation by agricultural producers.
            (2) Improved evaluation of management plans.--The Secretary 
        shall develop and make available criteria to enable staff of 
        the Natural Resources Conservation Service and agricultural 
        producers operating in priority areas identified under 
        subsection (b) to effectively compare pest management plans, 
        considering relative risks and potential benefits to multiple 
        resources of concern, including air, surface water, ground 
        water, bees and other pollinators, wildlife, and worker safety.
            (3) Technical assistance.--The Secretary may enter in 
        cooperative agreements, memorandums of understanding, and 
        contracts for services with technical service providers, other 
        agencies, and non-Federal organizations, as necessary, to 
        assist in providing technical assistance regarding integrated 
        pest management planning and implementation to producers 
        operating in priority areas identified under subsection (b).
            (4) Marketing.--The Secretary may market the availability 
        of integrated pest management tools and training to 
        agricultural producers in the priority areas identified under 
        subsection (b).
            (5) Program integration.--The Secretary shall set goals for 
        integrating the integrated pest management initiative with the 
        environmental quality incentives program established under 
        chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act 
        of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq.) and other conservation 
        programs in each priority area identified under subsection (b), 
        including indicators of the extent to which these programs fund 
        integrated pest management practices and the extent to which 
        supported integrated pest management practices reduce pesticide 
        use and risk.
    (d) Annual Report.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to 
Congress an annual report on the integrated pest management initiative, 
including progress in meeting the program integration goals set under 
subsection (c)(5).
    (e) Funding.--The Secretary of Agriculture may use funds provided 
for the conservation security program and environmental quality 
incentives program under subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3830 et seq.) to implement the integrated pest 
management initiative.

SEC. 115. CONSERVATION ACCESS INITIATIVE TO ENCOURAGE GREATER 
              PARTICIPATION BY SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND 
              RANCHERS IN CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Socially disadvantaged group.--The term ``socially 
        disadvantaged group'' means a group of persons whose members 
        have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of 
        their identity as members of a group without regard to their 
        individual qualities.
            (2) Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.--The term 
        ``socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher'' means a farmer or 
        rancher who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group.
            (3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means 
        any of the following:
                    (A) Any community-based organization, network, or 
                coalition of community-based organizations that--
                            (i) has demonstrated experience in 
                        providing agricultural education or other 
                        agriculturally related services to socially 
                        disadvantaged farmers or ranchers;
                            (ii) has provided to the Secretary of 
                        Agriculture documentary evidence of work with 
                        socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers for 
                        not less than a five-year period preceding the 
                        submission of an application for assistance 
                        under this section; and
                            (iii) does not engage in activities 
                        prohibited under section 501(c)(3) of the 
                        Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
                    (B) An Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the 
                Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
                (25 U.S.C. 450b)) or a national tribal organization 
                that has demonstrated experience in providing 
                agriculture education or other agriculturally related 
                services to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers 
                in a region.
                    (C) An 1890 institution or 1994 institution (as 
                defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, 
                Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
                7601)), including West Virginia State College.
                    (D) An Indian tribal community college or an Alaska 
                Native cooperative college.
                    (E) An Hispanic-serving institution (as defined in 
                section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
                Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
                3103)).
                    (F) Any other institution of higher education (as 
                defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 
                1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) that has demonstrated experience 
                in providing agriculture education or other 
                agriculturally related services to socially 
                disadvantaged farmers or ranchers in a region.
    (b) Initiative.--With respect to all programs authorized or amended 
by this title, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a 
conservation initiative for socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. 
With respect to such programs that serve an Indian tribe, the Secretary 
shall be required to pay the costs of office space to carry out 
conservation functions authorized under this section.
    (c) Special Rule for Cost-Share Payments.--Notwithstanding the 
actual cost sharing requirements imposed by a program authorized or 
amended by this title, the Secretary of Agriculture may pay up to 100 
percent of the costs incurred by a socially disadvantaged farmer or 
rancher to participate in the program.
    (d) Outreach and Assistance.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
carry out an outreach and technical assistance program to encourage and 
assist socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers to participate 
equitably in the full range of agricultural programs authorized or 
amended by this title.
    (e) Grants and Contracts.--The Secretary of Agriculture may make 
grants to, and enter into contracts and other agreements with, an 
eligible entity to provide information and technical assistance to 
socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers so that they can participate 
equitably in the full range of agricultural programs authorized or 
amended by this title.
    (f) Relationship to Other Law.--The authority to carry out this 
section shall be in addition to any other authority provided in this or 
any other Act.
    (g) Funding.--The Secretary of Agriculture may reserve up to 10 
percent of the funds provided for a fiscal year for financial 
assistance under the conservation programs under subtitle D of title 
XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3830 et seq.) to carry 
out this section.

SEC. 116. CONSERVATION LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.

    Subtitle A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
U.S.C. 1921-1936a) is amended by inserting after section 304 the 
following:

``SEC. 304A. CONSERVATION LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may provide a loan guarantee, an 
interest subsidy, or both, to enable an eligible borrower to obtain a 
qualified conservation loan.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Eligible borrower.--The term `eligible borrower' 
        means a farmer, rancher, farm cooperative, private domestic 
        corporation, partnership, joint operation, trust, or limited 
        liability company, that is engaged primarily and directly in 
        agricultural production in the United States.
            ``(2) Qualified conservation loan.--The term `qualified 
        conservation loan' means a loan that meets the following 
        requirements:
                    ``(A) Purpose.--The loan proceeds are required to 
                be used to cover the costs to the borrower of carrying 
                out a qualified conservation project.
                    ``(B) Principal amount.--The principal amount of 
                the loan is not more than $1,000,000.
                    ``(C) Repayment period.--The loan repayment period 
                shall not exceed 10 years.
                    ``(D) No repayment required in first year.--The 
                lender is prohibited from requiring any part of the 
                loan to be repaid in the 1-year period that begins with 
                the date of the closing of the loan.
                    ``(E) No loan forgiveness.--The lender is 
                prohibited from forgiving any part of the loan.
                    ``(F) Limited processing fee.--The total of all 
                processing fees charged with respect to the loan does 
                not exceed such amount as shall be prescribed by the 
                Secretary.
            ``(3) Qualified conservation project.--The term `eligible 
        conservation project' means, with respect to an eligible 
        borrower, conservation measures included in a conservation plan 
        for a farming or ranching operation of the borrower, 
        including--
                    ``(A) the installation of conservation structures, 
                including terraces, sod waterways, permanently 
                vegetated stream borders and filter strips, windbreaks 
                (tree or grass), shelter belts, and living snow fences, 
                if all plantings consist of vegetation appropriate to 
                the locale;
                    ``(B) the establishment of forest cover for 
                sustained yield timber management, erosion control, or 
                shelter belt purposes, if the forest cover is 
                appropriate to the locale;
                    ``(C) the installation of water conservation 
                measures;
                    ``(D) the installation of waste management systems;
                    ``(E) the establishment or improvement of permanent 
                pasture;
                    ``(F) the payment of costs of complying with 
                section 1212 of the Food Security Act of 1985;
                    ``(G) other purposes consistent with the 
                conservation plan;
                    ``(H) any conservation project or practice, as 
                described by technical guides and handbooks issues by 
                the Natural Resources Conservation Service; or
                    ``(I) emerging conservation practices, techniques, 
                or technologies, as approved by the Secretary.
    ``(c) Limitations Applicable to Loan Guarantees.--
            ``(1) Limitation on amount of guarantee.--The portion of a 
        loan that the Secretary may guarantee under this section shall 
        be not less than 80 percent and not more than 90 percent of the 
        principal amount of the loan.
            ``(2) Limitation on total amount outstanding.--The 
        aggregate principal amount of outstanding loans guaranteed by 
        the Secretary under this section shall not exceed 
        $1,000,000,000.
    ``(d) Limitation on Amount of Interest Subsidy.--The interest 
subsidy which the Secretary may provide under this section with respect 
to a loan shall result in a reduction of the interest rate agreed upon 
by the borrower and the lender (but to not less than zero) by--
            ``(1) 500 basis points, if the principal amount of the loan 
        is less than $100,000;
            ``(2) 400 basis points, if the principal amount of the loan 
        is not less than $100,000 and is less than $500,000; and
            ``(3) 300 basis points, in any other case.
    ``(e) Administrative Provisions.--
            ``(1) Authority to collect processing fee.--The Secretary 
        may assess a fee to cover the cost of processing an application 
        under this section equal to not more than 1 percent of the 
        principal amount of the loan sought by the applicant, as 
        described in the application.
            ``(2) Provision of financial information.--An applicant for 
        a loan guarantee or interest subsidy under this section shall 
        provide the Secretary with such financial information as may be 
        required by the Secretary, in the manner generally required by 
        commercial agricultural lenders in the geographical area where 
        the farming or ranching operation of the applicant is located.
            ``(3) Appraisal.--The Secretary may require that an 
        appraisal made in connection with an application for a loan 
        guarantee or interest subsidy under this section be conducted 
        by a specialized appraiser that uses standards similar to the 
        standards used for similar purposes in the private sector, as 
        determined by the Secretary.
            ``(4) Approval of application.--The Secretary shall not 
        approve an application submitted pursuant to this section, 
        unless the Natural Resources Conservation Service has 
        determined that--
                    ``(A) the loan sought by the applicant, as 
                described in the application, would be a qualified 
                conservation loan; and
                    ``(B) the project for which the loan is sought is 
                likely to result in a net benefit to the environment.
            ``(5) Deadline for decision on application.--Within 45 
        business days after the receipt of an application for 
        assistance under this section, the Secretary shall transmit to 
        the applicant the decision of the Secretary to approve or 
        disapprove the application, to the extent practicable.
            ``(6) Equitable distribution of loan guarantees and 
        interest subsidies.-- The Secretary shall ensure that loan 
        guarantees and interest subsidies under this section are 
        equitably distributed among agricultural producers according to 
        the scale of the operations of the producers.
    ``(f) Relationship With Other Conservation Programs.--Neither the 
application for, nor the receipt of, a loan guarantee or an interest 
subsidy under this section shall affect the eligibility of the 
recipient for assistance under title XII of the Food Security Act of 
1985 or the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act.
    ``(g) Appropriations.--For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013, 
the Secretary shall use such funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation 
as are necessary to carry out this section.''.

SEC. 117. PILOT PROGRAM FOR COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION PLANNING.

    (a) Pilot Program Required.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
establish a pilot program to evaluate the feasibility of assisting 
producers, before they apply for assistance under any conservation 
program under subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3830 et seq.), by making a comprehensive assessment of the 
resource concerns, needs, and alternative solutions for the producer's 
entire operation, as determined by the Secretary, following the 
procedures in the conservation planning manual of the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service.
    (b) Locations.--The pilot program shall be undertaken in the 
following locations:
            (1) The Chesapeake Bay watershed.
            (2) The Great Lakes Basin.
            (3) The Connecticut River watershed.
            (4) The Highlands Region, as defined in section 3 of the 
        Highlands Conservation Act (Public Law 108-421; 118 Stat. 
        2375).
            (5) The Upper Mississippi River Basin.
    (c) Provision of Assistance.--The assistance to producers shall be 
provided by the Secretary directly or through third-party providers 
certified by the Secretary, and shall be provided without charge to the 
producer. The results of the comprehensive conservation planning shall 
be provided to the producer to enable informed choices on the type of 
financial assistance available through conservation programs 
administered by the Secretary that would most effectively address the 
resource needs of the farmer's operation consistent with the 
environmental goals for the area in which the operation is located.
    (d) Funding.--The Secretary shall use funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation to carry out the pilot program in the amount of $40,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013. The funds shall be equally 
divided, to the maximum extent practicable, between each of the four 
pilot program locations.
    (e) Assessment and Report.--The Secretary shall conduct an 
assessment of the effectiveness of the pilot program and publish a 
report, to be available to the public, of the results of the 
assessment. An assessment and report shall be undertaken in the second 
year and the fifth year of the pilot program.

SEC. 118. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE UNDER DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
              CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) Use of Third-Party Providers.--Section 1242 of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (2) and 
        inserting the following new paragraph:
            ``(2) at the option of the producer, through an approved 
        third party, if available.''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
                following new paragraph:
            ``(1) System for evaluation of providers.--The Secretary 
        shall establish, by regulation, a system for approving 
        individuals and entities to provide technical assistance to 
        carry out programs under this chapter, including criteria for 
        the evaluation of providers or potential providers of technical 
        assistance.'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
                following new paragraph:
            ``(3) Competitive bidding.--The Secretary may accept bids 
        from approved third parties to provide technical assistance to 
        producers eligible for that assistance.''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``may request'' 
                and inserting ``shall request, to the maximum extent 
                practicable,''.
    (b) Cooperative Conservation Educational Assistance Program.--Such 
section is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(c) Cooperative Conservation Educational Assistance Program.--The 
Secretary shall establish a cooperative conservation educational 
assistance program through which a student at an institution of higher 
education, in a field of study such as agronomy, conservation biology, 
engineering, and other subject relevant to the provision of technical 
assistance under this section, may receive educational assistance in 
exchange for a commitment of service to the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service or other agency within the Department of 
Agriculture involved in providing such assistance. Establishment of the 
program shall be carried out by rulemaking, and the final rule shall be 
issued not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
subsection.''.

                            TITLE II--ENERGY

SEC. 201. DEFINITION OF BIOMASS.

    Section 9001(3)(B)(i) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101(3)(B)(i)) is amended by inserting ``and crop 
waste'' after ``agricultural crops''.

SEC. 202. SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF BIOREFINERIES.

    (a) Assistance Methods.--Subsection (c) of section 9003 of the Farm 
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8103) to read as 
follows:
    ``(c) Assistance.--The Secretary shall award grants and make loans 
and loan guarantees to eligible entities to assist in covering the cost 
of development and construction of biorefineries or for the 
construction or deployment of methane digesters used to capture the 
methane gas from livestock manure for use as a fuel source for biofuel 
production to carry out projects to demonstrate the commercial 
viability of 1 or more processes for converting biomass to fuels or 
chemicals.''.
    (b) Environmental Goals.--Subsection (e)(2) of such section is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (i);
            (2) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii); and
            (3) by inserting after clause (i) the following new clause:
                            ``(ii) shall select projects based upon the 
                        extent to which the projects meet environmental 
                        goals for feed stocks and refineries, including 
                        goals related to reductions in greenhouse gas 
                        emissions and improvement in water quality and 
                        wildlife habitat, developed by the Secretary in 
                        consultation with the Secretary of the 
                        Interior, the Secretary of Energy, and the 
                        National Academy of Sciences; and''.
    (c) Cost Sharing.--Subsection (f) of such section is amended to 
read as follows:
    ``(f) Cost Sharing and Interest Rates.--
            ``(1) In general.--The combined amount of a grant and loan 
        made or guaranteed under this section shall not exceed 50 
        percent of the cost of the project.
            ``(2) Form of recipient share.--The recipient share of the 
        cost of a project may be made in the form of cash or the 
        provision of services, material, or other in-kind 
        contributions. The amount of the recipient share made in the 
        form of the provision of services, material, or other in-kind 
        contributions shall not exceed 25 percent of the amount of the 
        share determined under paragraph (1).
            ``(3) Interest rate.--A loan made under subsection (c) 
        shall bear interest at the rate equivalent to the rate of 
        interest charged on Treasury securities of comparable maturity 
        on the date the loan is approved. The interest rate shall 
        remain in effect for the term of the loan.''.
    (d) Energy Reserve Program.--Such section is further amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as subsections 
        (h) and (i), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(g) Energy Reserve Program.--
            ``(1) Program required.--Until December 31, 2013, the 
        Secretary shall carry out an energy reserve program under which 
        not more than 100,000 acres of land may be enrolled through the 
        use of five-year contracts to assist owners and operators with 
        the production of feed stocks for the projects carried out 
        pursuant to this section.
            ``(2) Eligible lands.--The Secretary may include any land, 
        regardless of a cropping history, so long as the feed stock is 
        produced and harvested consistent with the needs of the 
        environment, as provided in paragraph (3).
            ``(3) Duties of owners and operators.--Under a contract 
        entered into under this subsection, an owner or operator of 
        land shall implement a feed stock conservation plan to ensure 
        that lands enrolled are managed consistent with the needs of 
        the environment, including the needs of wildlife. Paragraphs 
        (5) and (6) of section 1232(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
        (16 U.S.C. 3832(a)) shall apply to the contracts
            ``(4) Payments.--The Secretary shall provide annual rental 
        payments to owners and operators of lands of amounts not 
        greater than $25,000 for any fiscal year, and shall establish 
        the amounts of payments through--
                    ``(A) the submission of bids for such contracts by 
                owners and operators in such manner as the Secretary 
                may prescribe; or
                    ``(B) such other means as the Secretary determines 
                are appropriate.''.
    (e) Funding.--Subsection (i) of such section, as amended by 
subsection (d)(1), is amended to read as follows:
    ``(i) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, 
the Secretary shall make available to carry out this section 
$100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.''.
    (f) Conforming Amendments.--Such section is further amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``grants'';
            (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``a grant'' and 
        inserting ``assistance''; and
            (3) in subsection (e), by striking ``grants'' both places 
        it appears and inserting ``assistance''.

SEC. 203. REAUTHORIZATION OF ENERGY AUDIT AND RENEWABLE ENERGY 
              DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    Section 9005(i) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
2002 (7 U.S.C. 8105(f)) is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2002 
through 2007'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2008 through 2013''.

SEC. 204. REAUTHORIZATION OF AND INCREASED FUNDING FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY 
              SYSTEMS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM.

    (a) Priorities.--Section 9006 of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8106) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (c) through (f) as 
        subsection (d) through (g), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(c) Priority.--The Secretary shall establish a system to rank 
applications for loans, loan guarantees, and grants under this section 
that considers the extent to which the proposed project--
            ``(1) will produce environmental benefits, including 
        reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, other improvements in 
        air quality, and improvements in water quality; and
            ``(2) fosters community or cooperative approaches to 
        renewable energy development.''.
    (b) Funding.--Subsection (f) of section 9006 of the Farm Security 
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8106) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(f) Funding.--
            ``(1) Availability of funds.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
        Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry 
        out this section the following amounts:
                    ``(A) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
                    ``(B) $90,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
                    ``(C) $130,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
                    ``(D) $180,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
                    ``(E) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
            ``(2) Duration.--Funds made available under paragraph (1) 
        shall remain available until expended.''.

SEC. 205. REAUTHORIZATION OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE BIOENERGY 
              PROGRAM.

    Subsection (c) of section 9010 of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8108) is amended:
    ``(c) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, 
the Secretary shall use to carry out this section not more than 
$150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.''.

SEC. 206. REAUTHORIZATION OF AND INCREASED FUNDING FOR BIOMASS RESEARCH 
              AND DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 310 of the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 (7 
U.S.C. 7624 note; Public Law 106-224) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 310. FUNDING.

    ``(a) Funding.--Of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the 
Secretary shall make available to carry out this title--
            ``(1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
            ``(2) $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 
        2013.
    ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to amounts 
transferred under subsection (a), there are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this title $200,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2006 through 2015.
    ``(c) Availability of Funds.--Amounts made available under 
subsection (a) or appropriated pursuant to the authorization of 
appropriations in subsection (b) shall remain available until 
expended.''.

SEC. 207. REAUTHORIZATION OF CARBON CYCLE RESEARCH.

    (a) Research Conducted Through Consortium for Agricultural Soils 
Mitigation of Greenhouse Gases.--
            (1) Participants in consortium.--Subsection (b) of section 
        221 of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 
        6711) is amended by striking ``are'' in the matter preceding 
        paragraph (1) and inserting ``include''.
            (2) Authorization of appropriations.--Subsection (g) of 
        such section is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2002 through 
        2007'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2007 through 2012''.
    (b) Cooperative Research Projects.--Subsection (d)(4) of such 
section is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2002 through 2007'' and 
inserting ``fiscal years 2008 through 2013''.
    (c) Extension Projects.--Subsection (e)(3) of such section is 
amended by striking ``fiscal years 2002 through 2007'' and inserting 
``fiscal years 2008 through 2013''.

                    TITLE III--HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES

SEC. 301. REAUTHORIZATION OF AND INCREASED FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY FOOD 
              PROJECT COMPETITIVE GRANTS.

    (a) Authority To Provide Assistance.--Section 25(b) of the Food 
Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2034(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``From amounts made 
        available to carry out this Act, the Secretary may'' and 
        inserting ``The Secretary shall''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
            ``(2) Funding amounts.--From amounts made available to 
        carry out this Act, the Secretary shall use $60,500,000 for 
        each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013 to make grants under 
        this section.''.
    (b) Preference for Certain Projects.--Section 25(d) of the Food 
Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2034(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3) by striking ``or'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (4) by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; or'' ; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) serve special project needs in areas of--
                    ``(A) transportation and processing for expanding 
                institutional and emergency food service demand for 
                local food;
                    ``(B) retail access to healthy foods in underserved 
                markets;
                    ``(C) integration of urban and metro-area food 
                production in food projects; and
                    ``(D) technical assistance for youth, socially 
                disadvantaged individuals, and limited resource 
                groups.''.
    (c) Matching Funds Requirements.--Section 25(e)(1) of the Food 
Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2034(e)(1)) is amended by striking ``50'' 
and inserting ``75''.
    (d) Term of Grant.--Section 25(f)(2) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 
(7 U.S.C. 2034(f)(2)) is amended by striking ``3'' and inserting ``5''.
    (e) Funding.--Section 25(h)(4) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2034(h)(4)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``fiscal years 2003 through 2007'' and 
        inserting ``fiscal years 2008 through 2013''; and
            (2) by striking ``$200,000'' and inserting ``$500,000''.

SEC. 302. EXPANSION OF FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM.

    Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 
U.S.C. 1769) is amended in subsection (g)--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                striking ``July 2004'' and inserting ``July 2007''; and
                    (B) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(A) 100 elementary or secondary schools in each 
                State;
                    ``(B) additional elementary or secondary schools in 
                each State in proportion to the student population of 
                the State; and'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``paragraph (1)(B)'' 
        and inserting ``paragraph (1)'';
            (3) in paragraph (5), in each of subparagraphs (A) and (B), 
        by striking ``2008'' and inserting ``2011''; and
            (4) in paragraph (6)(B)(i)--
                    (A) by striking ``October 1, 2004,'' and inserting 
                ``October 1, 2007,''; and
                    (B) by striking ``$9,000,000'' and inserting 
                ``$300,000,000''.

SEC. 303. AUTHORIZATION LEVEL FOR FARM-TO-CAFETERIA ACTIVITIES.

    Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 
U.S.C. 1769) is amended in subsection (i)(2) by striking ``such sums as 
are necessary'' and all that follows through the period at the end and 
inserting ``to carry out this subsection $20,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2008 through 2013.''.

SEC. 304. EXTENSION OF WIC FARMER'S MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM.

    Section 17(m)(9)(A) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 
1786(m)(9)(A)) is amended--
            (1) in clause (i), by striking ``2009'' and inserting 
        ``2013''; and
            (2) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following:
                            ``(ii) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of 
                        the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary 
                        shall make available to carry out this 
                        subsection $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, 
                        $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $45,000,000 
                        for fiscal year 2010, $60,000,000 for fiscal 
                        year 2011, and not less than $75,000,000 for 
                        fiscal year 2012 and each fiscal year  
                        thereafter. Such funds shall remain available 
                        until expended.''.

SEC. 305. SENIOR FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM.

    Section 4402 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(7 U.S.C. 3007) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) by striking ``$5,000,000'' and all 
        that follows through ``2007'', and inserting ``$20,000,000 for 
        fiscal year 2008, $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $45,000,000 
        for fiscal year 2010, $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and not 
        less than $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 and each fiscal year 
        thereafter'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2) by striking ``and'' at the 
                end,
                    (B) in paragraph (3) by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``; and'', and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) to promote the transition to organic and other 
        environmentally beneficial food production systems.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Eligible Participants; Benefit Levels.--The regulations 
required by subsection (c)--
            ``(1) shall allow for participation by farmers markets, and 
        roadside stands, community supported agriculture programs; and
            ``(2) shall not limit the ability of State or regional 
        programs to set benefit levels per individual senior.''.

SEC. 306. FARMERS' MARKET PROMOTION PROGRAM.

    Section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 
U.S.C. 3005) is amended by striking subsections (d) and (e) and 
inserting the following:
    ``(d) Criteria and Guidelines.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish criteria 
        and guidelines for the submission, evaluation, and funding of 
        proposed projects under the Program.
            ``(2) Priority.--The Secretary shall prioritize for funding 
        projects that will support, encourage, or promote the 
        transition to organic and other environmentally beneficial 
        forms of agricultural production.
    ``(e) Funding.--The Secretary shall use $25,000,000 of funds of the 
Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this section in each of the 
fiscal years 2008 through 2013, of which $5,000,000 shall be used to 
support the use of electronic benefit transfers at farmers' markets.''.

SEC. 307. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
              PROCUREMENT OF LOCALLY PRODUCED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) Locally procured agricultural products, as compared to 
        products transported from distant sources--
                    (A) are often harvested closer to full ripeness and 
                can have higher nutritional quality;
                    (B) can have improved ripeness, taste, or 
                selection, which can increase rates of consumption of 
                agricultural products; and
                    (C) are more efficient to store, distribute, and 
                package.
            (2) Use of local produce--
                    (A) reduces dependence upon foreign oil by reducing 
                fuel consumption rates associated with the production 
                or transportation of agricultural products;
                    (B) can help to improve the ability of those using 
                the procurement system to provide education on 
                nutrition, farming, sustainability, energy efficiency, 
                and the importance of local purchases to the local 
                economy;
                    (C) helps to maintain a robust logistics network 
                for agricultural product procurement; and
                    (D) promotes farm, business, and economic 
                development by accessing local markets.
            (3) Section 9(j) of the Richard B. Russell National School 
        Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(j)) directs the Secretary of 
        Agriculture to encourage institutions participating in the 
        school lunch program established under that Act and the school 
        breakfast program established by section 4 of the Child 
        Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) to purchase, in addition 
        to other food purchases, locally produced foods, to the maximum 
        extent practicable and appropriate.
    (b) Department of Defense Geographic Procurement Preference.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department of Defense 
may use a geographic preference to purchase locally produced 
agricultural products for--
            (1) the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia;
            (2) the Department of Defense Farm to School Program;
            (3) the Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable 
        Program;
            (4) the service academies;
            (5) Department of Defense domestic dependant schools;
            (6) other Department of Defense schools under chapter 108 
        of title 10, United States Code;
            (7) commissary and exchange stores; and
            (8) morale, welfare, and recreation facilities operated by 
        the Department of Defense
    (c) Department of Agriculture and Related Entities Geographic 
Procurement Preference.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
the Department of Agriculture, schools, local educational agencies, and 
other entities may use a geographic preference to purchase locally 
produced agricultural products for--
            (1) the school breakfast program established by section 4 
        of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773);
            (2) the school lunch program established under the Richard 
        B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.);
            (3) the summer food service program for children 
        established under section 13 of the Richard B. Russell National 
        School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1761); and
            (4) the child and adult care food program established under 
        section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 1766).
    (d) Addition of Geographic Preference.--In the case of the purchase 
of agricultural products for a program or entity described in 
subsection (b) or (c), the local food service director or other entity 
making the purchase may include the geographic preference provided by 
such subsections in bid specifications and may select a bid involving 
locally produced agricultural products, even if that bid is not the 
lowest bid.
    (e) Reporting.--A school, local educational agency, or other entity 
participating in one or more of the programs described in subsection 
(c) shall report to the Secretary of Agriculture if the school, local 
educational agency, or other entity pays more than 10 percent more than 
the lowest bid to purchase locally produced agricultural products in 
accordance with this section.
    (f) Review.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of 
Agriculture shall periodically review the use of the geographic 
preference provided by this section to prevent fraud or abuse.

SEC. 308. FRUIT AND VEGETABLE NUTRITION PROMOTION PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the 
Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, shall establish 
and carry out a program to provide assistance to eligible trade 
organizations described in subsection (c) to increase the consumption 
of fruits and vegetables in the United States to meet Federal health 
guidelines.
    (b) Requirements for Participation.--To be eligible for assistance 
under this section, an organization shall--
            (1) be an eligible trade organization;
            (2) prepare and submit a plan to increase the consumption 
        of fruits and vegetables in the United States to the 
        Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service that meets 
        any guidelines governing such plans established by the 
        Administrator; and
            (3) meet any other requirements established by the 
        Administrator.
    (c) Eligible Trade Organizations.--An eligible trade organization 
under this section shall be--
            (1) a nonprofit fruit and vegetable trade organizations in 
        the United States;
            (2) a nonprofit State or regional fruit and vegetable 
        organization;
            (3) a fruit and vegetable agricultural cooperative in the 
        United States;
            (4) a commodity board or commission in the United States; 
        or
            (5) a small business engaged in the fruit and vegetable 
        industry in the United States.
    (d) Matching Funds.--Assistance provided under this section shall 
not exceed--
            (1) in the case of an organization described in paragraphs 
        (1) through (4) of subsection (c), 90 percent of the cost of 
        the plan to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables 
        in the United States submitted under subsection (b)(2); and
            (2) in the case of an organization described in subsection 
        (c)(5), 50 percent of the cost of the plan to increase the 
        consumption of fruits and vegetables in the United States 
        submitted under subsection (b)(2).
    (e) Funding.--Of the funds available to the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service 
shall use $100,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011 to 
carry out this section.

SEC. 309. USE OF ``DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS'' IN SPECIAL 
              NUTRITION PROGRAMS AND SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMS.

    Section 9(a) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1758(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Allocations to be based on dietary guidelines.--For 
        the school year beginning in July 2007 and each school year 
        thereafter, the Secretary shall ensure that allocations of food 
        and food ingredients offered in school nutrition programs under 
        this Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et 
        seq.) are based on the most recent Dietary Guidelines for 
        Americans.''.

SEC. 310. SECTION 32 SPECIALTY CROP PURCHASES.

    (a) Minimum Level of Purchases.--Section 32 of the Act of August 
24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c) is amended in the sixth sentence by inserting 
after ``and their products'' the following: ``, and, for each of fiscal 
years 2008 through 2012, the Secretary of Agriculture shall devote not 
less than $400,000,000 of sums appropriated under this section to 
purchases of non-basic agricultural commodities, such as fruits, 
vegetables, and other specialty food crops''.
    (b) Expansion of DOD Fresh Program.--Such section is further 
amended by inserting after the sixth sentence, as amended by subsection 
(a), the following new sentence: ``Of the funds specified in the 
preceding sentence, the Secretary of Agriculture shall expend not less 
than $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 for the 
purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution to schools and 
service institutions in accordance with section 6(a) of the Richard B. 
Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1755(a)).''.

SEC. 311. AMENDMENTS TO THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM.

    (a) Definition.-- Section 3 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
2012) is amended by adding at the end the following
    ``(v) `Food stamp nutrition education' means direct education, 
group activities, community health promotion, and comprehensive public 
health approaches (including but not limited to, social marketing, mass 
media, public-private partnerships, policy, systems and environmental 
changes, and evaluation) that promote healthy eating and make healthy 
food and physical activity choices more desired, affordable, and 
accessible. To serve all those potentially eligible for food stamps, 
nutrition education programs should be designed to reach large numbers 
of low-income individuals. Programs shall support behavior change 
consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, including a diet 
rich in fruits and vegetables and whole grains.''.
    (b) Administration.--Section 11(e)(1)(A) of the Food Stamp Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 2020(e)(1)(A) is amended by inserting ``, and provide 
food stamp nutrition education'' after ``program''.

SEC. 312. FOOD STAMP FRUIT AND VEGETABLE ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER 
              PILOT PROJECT.

    (a) Finding.--The Congress finds that increased consumption of 
fruits and vegetables by participants in the food stamp program will 
significantly improve the overall dietary habits of such participants.
    (b) Pilot Project.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish 
and carry out a pilot project that will provide to each participant in 
the food stamp program who receives benefits in the form of an 
electronic benefit transfer, financial incentives for each dollar of 
such benefits expended by such recipient to facilitate the purchase of 
fresh fruits and vegetables.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated $10,000,000 for each of 5 fiscal years to carry out this 
section.

         TITLE IV--PROMOTION OF NEW MARKETS AND FARM VIABILITY

SEC. 401. FARM VIABILITY PROGRAM.

    (a) Program Required.--Subsection (a) of section 1238J of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838j) is amended by striking ``The 
Secretary may'' and inserting ``Using amounts made available under 
subsection (b), the Secretary shall''.
    (b) Funding.--Subsection (b) of such section is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(b) Funding.--In addition to other funds made available to carry 
out this subchapter for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013, the 
Secretary shall use $50,000,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation each fiscal year to make grants to eligible entities under 
subsection (a).''.

SEC. 402. NATIONAL ORGANIC CERTIFICATION AND TRANSITION COST SHARE 
              PROGRAM.

    Section 10606 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(7 U.S.C. 6523) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 10606. NATIONAL ORGANIC CERTIFICATION AND TRANSITION COST SHARE 
              PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Natural 
Resources Conservation Service) shall use $80,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2008 through 2013 to establish a national organic 
certification and transition cost-share program to assist producers and 
handlers of agricultural products in obtaining certification under the 
national organic production program established under the Organic Foods 
Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) and to assist producers 
and handlers in making the transition to organic production under the 
such program.
    ``(b) Certification Costs.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall pay under this 
        section a portion of the costs incurred by a producer or 
        handler in obtaining certification under the national organic 
        production program, as certified to and approved by the 
        Secretary.
            ``(2) Maximum amount.--The amount of a payment made to a 
        producer or handler for certification under this section shall 
        be $750 per year.
            ``(3) Funding.--Of the funds made available under 
        subsection (a), the Secretary (acting through the Agricultural 
        Marketing Service) shall use $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal 
        years 2008 through 2013 to share up to 75 percent of the cost 
        of certification.
    ``(c) Accreditation and Enforcement Costs.--Of the funds made 
available under subsection (a), the Secretary (acting through the 
Agricultural Marketing Service) shall use $5,000,000 for each of the 
fiscal years 2008 through 2013 to fund the accreditation and 
enforcement programs operated by the National Organic Program to 
implement the accreditation and enforcement provisions of the Organic 
Foods Production Act of 1990.
    ``(d) Reimbursements for Infrastructure Necessary To Implement 
Organic Practice Standards.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
        establish a program to reimburse producers and handlers for the 
        costs of transition to organic production.
            ``(2) Program.--Under the program established under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary (acting through the Natural 
        Resources Conservation Service) shall use $50,000,000 for each 
        of the fiscal years 2008 through 2013 to assist producers and 
        handlers developing and implementing infrastructure and 
        practices necessary to transition land and animals to meet the 
        requirements of the Organic Food Production Act of 1990.
            ``(3) Plan submission.--The Secretary may only reimburse a 
        producer or handler under this section if the producer or 
        handler submits to the Secretary an organic transition plan 
        that contains the expected costs for infrastructure and 
        practices, the environmental and economic benefits derived from 
        the infrastructure or implementing organic practice standards, 
        and a demonstration of the existence of a market or the 
        reasonable expectation of a future market for the products to 
        be produced or handled.
            ``(4) Appropriate infrastructure and practice standards.--
        The Secretary shall only reimburse producers and handlers under 
        this subsection for the costs of the following:
                    ``(A) Organic practices and activities during 
                transition to certified organic production consistent 
                with an approved plan to transition to certified 
                organic production.
                    ``(B) Farm infrastructure necessary to implement 
                organic practice standards, including livestock 
                watering facilities and fencing, so long as such 
                infrastructure is consistent with an approved plan to 
                transition to certified organic production.
                    ``(C) Organic livestock welfare measures, so long 
                as such infrastructure or practices and activities are 
                necessary to implement an organic practice standard and 
                are consistent with an approved plan to transition to 
                certified organic production.
                    ``(D) Advanced organic practices consistent with 
                approved certified organic production.
                    ``(E) Technical assistance, including the costs of 
                developing an approved transition plan under this 
                section.
                    ``(F) Other measures the Secretary, after 
                consultation with the National Organic Standards Board, 
                determines are appropriate.
            ``(5) Organic transition technical advice.--The Secretary 
        shall consult with the National Organic Standards Board 
        regarding the elements of an approved organic transition plan 
        and to identify and recommend ways that the Secretary may 
        generally use the resources provided for programs under 
        subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
        U.S.C. 3830 et seq.) to facilitate transition to organic 
        production, including the resources provided by the 
        Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation 
        Security Program.
            ``(6) Maximum amount for transition reimbursement.--Except 
        as provided in (A) and (B), the maximum amount of reimbursement 
        paid to a producer or handler for transition to organic 
        production under this section shall be $10,000 per fiscal year.
                    ``(A) Specialty crops.--In the case of an 
                individual or entity who annually produces three or 
                more types of specialty crops, the individual or entity 
                may not receive, directly or indirectly, cost-share or 
                incentive payments under this section that, in the 
                aggregate, exceed $20,000 per year, for a period not to 
                exceed four years.
                    ``(B) Dairy.--In the case of an individual or 
                entity whose principal farming enterprise is dairy, the 
                individual or entity may not receive, directly or 
                indirectly, cost-share or incentive payments under this 
                section that, in the aggregate, exceed $20,000 per 
                year, for a period not to exceed four years.
            ``(7) Eligible fiscal years.--A producer or handler may 
        only receive payments--
                    ``(A) in four fiscal years; and
                    ``(B) after the first payment, in the fiscal year 
                in which such payment was made and the three subsequent 
                fiscal years.
            ``(8) Transition reimbursements.--A certified organic 
        producer or handler under the national organic production 
        program shall be eligible for reimbursements to make the 
        transition to organic production for new lands and livestock.
            ``(9) Suspension authority.--To ensure orderly and 
        continued growth in organic farming--
                    ``(A) prior to each fiscal year and no later than 
                October 1st of each year, the Secretary shall publish 
                organic commodity specific assessments analyzing the 
                domestic production and consumption, import and export 
                organic market demand and growth potential for each 
                organic commodity and the anticipated number and total 
                amount of new reimbursements for the following year 
                affecting each commodity; and
                    ``(B) the Secretary shall not enroll new producers 
                under this subsection if, for any particular 
                agricultural commodity, any new producers would produce 
                an increased amount of that agricultural commodity that 
                the Secretary finds is reasonably anticipated to affect 
                the continuing economic viability of farmers currently 
                certified under the national organic production program 
                or would create unreasonable geographic disparities in 
                the distribution of reimbursements provided under this 
                section.
            ``(10) Appeals.--An applicant seeking transition assistance 
        under this section has the right to appeal an adverse decision 
        by Secretary with regard to an application for assistance, as 
        provided in section 275 of the Department of Agriculture 
        Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6995).
    ``(e) Technical and Educational Assistance.--Of the funds made 
available under subsection (a) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
use not less than $15,000,000 to provide technical and educational 
assistance to producers and handlers to carry out this section, 
including entering into cooperative agreements with qualified entities 
to implement the transition to organic production.
    ``(f) Reporting.--Not later than March 1 of each year, the 
Secretary shall submit to Congress and the National Organic Standards 
Board a report detailing State-by-State expenditures on certification, 
including the number of producers and handlers served by the program, 
and State-by-State expenditures on transition assistance, including the 
number of producers and handlers served by the program, the practices 
implemented, an assessment of the impacts of the program on organic 
production, and recommended reforms, if any.''.

SEC. 402A. NATIONAL ORGANIC TECHNICAL COMMITTEE.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a National 
Organic Technical Committee to oversee development and implementation 
of the Organic Certification and Transition Program and to improve the 
organic agriculture interface with all other conservation programs and 
activities administered by the NRCS, including developoment of criteria 
for the approval of qualified organic technical advisors.
    (b) Membership.--The membership of the National Organic Technical 
Committee shall be comprised of--
            (1) three organic farmers;
            (2) two organic certifying agents;
            (3) two organic inspectors;
            (4) one representative of an environmental organization 
        knowledgeable about organic agriculture; and
            (5) one scientist with expertise in conservation planning.

SEC. 403. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE.

    Section 1672B(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925b(e)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(e) Funding.--Of the funds available to the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall use $15,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2008 through 2013 to carry out this section.''.

SEC. 404. FUNDING FOR EDUCATION GRANTS PROGRAMS FOR HISPANIC-SERVING 
              INSTITUTIONS.

    Subsection (c) of section 1455 of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3241) is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Funding.--Of the funds available to the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall use $25,000,000 for each fiscal year 
to carry out this section.''.

SEC. 405. EXTENSION AND FUNDING INCREASE FOR THE VALUE-ADDED 
              AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT MARKET DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM.

    Section 231(b)(4) of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 
(7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 106-224) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``through October 1, 2006''; and
            (2) by striking ``$40,000,000'' and inserting 
        ``$60,000,000''.
                                 <all>
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