485 
HR 2419 PCS
competitive program critical base funding level, 
budgetary emphasis shall be placed on enhancing 
funding for emerging problems and their solutions. 
(d) FUNDING.— 
(1) CRITICAL BASE FUNDING.—Up to the total 
aggregate amount of the capacity program critical 
base funding level and the competitive program crit-
ical base funding level, funds appropriated or other-
wise made available shall be apportioned among each 
of the capacity programs and the competitive pro-
grams based on priorities established by the Under 
Secretary in conjunction with the Directors. 
(2) ADDITIONAL FUNDING.— 
(A) CAPACITY
FUNDING.—Of the funds 
appropriated or otherwise made available for 
capacity programs in excess of the capacity pro-
gram critical base funding level, funding em-
phasis should be placed on enhancing funding 
for the 1890, 1994, ASCARR Institutions, His-
panic-serving agricultural colleges, and small 
1862 institutions. 
(B) 
COMPETITIVE
FUNDING.—Of 
the 
funds appropriated or otherwise made available 
for competitive programs in excess of the com-
petitive program critical base funding level, 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:40 Sep 06, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00485
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2419.PCS
H2419
bajohnson on PROD1PC69 with BILLS
486 
HR 2419 PCS
budgetary emphasis shall be placed on enhanc-
ing funding for emerging problems and solu-
tions. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as necessary 
to carry out this section. 
(f) COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS.—For the purposes of 
this section, the term ‘‘competitive programs’’ includes 
only those programs for which annual appropriations are 
requested in the President’s budget. 
SEC. 7103. ADDITIONAL PURPOSES OF AGRICULTURAL RE-
SEARCH AND EXTENSION. 
Section 1403 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3102) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period and 
inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding after paragraph (7) the following: 
‘‘(8) to integrate and organize the administra-
tion of the agricultural research, extension, edu-
cation, and related programs administered by the 
Secretary of Agriculture to respond to 21st century 
challenges and continue to meet the needs of society 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:40 Sep 06, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00486
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2419.PCS
H2419
bajohnson on PROD1PC69 with BILLS
487 
HR 2419 PCS
from a local, tribal, State, national, and inter-
national perspective; 
‘‘(9) to minimize duplication, and maximize co-
ordination and integration, among all of the pro-
grams at all levels through a solution-based ap-
proach; and 
‘‘(10) to position the agricultural research, ex-
tension, education, and related programs system to 
increase the contribution of the system to society 
through the expansion of the portfolio of the sys-
tem.’’. 
SEC. 7104. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH PRO-
GRAM OFFICE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Under Secretary shall 
organize within the office of the Under Secretary 6 re-
search Program Offices to be known collectively as the Na-
tional Agricultural Research Program Office, which shall 
coordinate the programs and activities of the research 
agencies within the mission area in an integrated, multi-
disciplinary, interdisciplinary, interagency, and inter-
institutional manner, to the maximum extent practicable. 
The Program Offices within the National Agricultural Re-
search Program Office are as follows: 
(1) Renewable energy, natural resources, and 
environment. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:40 Sep 06, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00487
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2419.PCS
H2419
bajohnson on PROD1PC69 with BILLS
488 
HR 2419 PCS
(2) Food safety, nutrition, and health. 
(3) Plant health and production. 
(4) Animal health and production and animal 
products. 
(5) Agriculture systems and technology. 
(6) Agriculture economics and rural commu-
nities. 
(b) QUALIFICATIONS OF DIRECTORS.— 
(1) APPOINTMENT AND CLASSIFICATION.—The 
Under Secretary shall appoint a Director for each 
Program Office as a senior level position in the com-
petitive service. 
(2) QUALIFICATIONS.—To be eligible for ap-
pointment as a Director, an individual shall have— 
(A) conducted outstanding research, edu-
cation, or extension in the field of agriculture or 
forestry; 
(B) earned a doctoral level degree at an in-
stitution of higher education (as defined in sec-
tion 101 of Public Law 89–329 (20 U.S.C. 
1001)); and 
(C) met qualification standards prescribed 
by the Director of the Office of Personnel Man-
agement for appointment to a senior level posi-
tion of the competitive service. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:40 Sep 06, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00488
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2419.PCS
H2419
bajohnson on PROD1PC69 with BILLS
489 
HR 2419 PCS
(c) DUTIES OF DIRECTORS.—Except as otherwise 
provided in this Act, each Director as appointed by the 
Secretary shall— 
(1) formulate programs in consultation with the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Edu-
cation, and Economics Advisory Board (7 U.S.C. 
3123) (hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Board’’); 
(2) assess strategic workforce needs of research, 
education, extension, and other fields; 
(3) cooperate with the Board to plan programs 
that assist in meeting the future personnel needs of 
disciplines and programs; 
(4) develop strategic planning for department- 
wide research, education, extension, and related ac-
tivities; 
(5) establish department-wide priorities for re-
search, education, extension, and related programs; 
(6) communicate with research, education, and 
extension beneficiaries to identify their needs; and 
(7) perform such other duties deemed necessary 
by the Secretary. 
(d) ADMINISTRATION.—The Under Secretary, in con-
junction with the Directors and in consultation with the 
Board, shall direct and coordinate research, education, 
and extension programs within the relevant agencies of the 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:40 Sep 06, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00489
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2419.PCS
H2419
bajohnson on PROD1PC69 with BILLS
490 
HR 2419 PCS
Department of Agriculture to focus those programs, and 
the participants, grantees, and other beneficiaries of those 
programs, on— 
(1) understanding important problem areas and 
opportunities relating to a program; 
(2) discovering and implementing solutions to 
address those problem areas; 
(3) exploring other opportunities provided 
under the programs; and 
(4) national, regional and local priorities. 
(e) PROGRAM INTEGRATION AND COORDINATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with applica-
ble law (including regulations), the Under Secretary, 
in coordination with the Director of each Program 
Office and taking into consideration the advice of 
the Board, shall ensure, to the maximum extent 
practicable, that the research, education, and exten-
sion programs are administered, funded, and carried 
out— 
(A) in an integrated, multidisciplinary, 
interdisciplinary, interagency, and interinstitu-
tional manner that ensures— 
(i) the most efficient collaborative use 
of resources; and 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:40 Sep 06, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00490
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2419.PCS
H2419
bajohnson on PROD1PC69 with BILLS
491 
HR 2419 PCS
(ii) the focus of all resources and ac-
tivities on strategic, priority, problem, op-
portunity, and solution areas identified by 
the Under Secretary and the Directors, 
taking into consideration the advice of the 
Board; and 
(B) among applicable participants, grant-
ees, and beneficiaries, in a coordinated manner 
that encourages and ensures— 
(i) the most efficient collaborative ap-
plication of resources; and 
(ii) the focus of all resources and ac-
tivities on strategic, priority, problem, op-
portunity, and solution areas on a local, 
State, tribal, regional, national, and inter-
national basis, as the Under Secretary and 
each Director, taking into consideration 
the advice of the Board, determine to be 
appropriate. 
(2) SCOPE.—Each Director, in consultation 
with the Under Secretary and the Board, shall en-
sure, through the integration and coordination under 
paragraph (1), that opportunities are maximized 
with respect to— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:40 Sep 06, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00491
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2419.PCS
H2419
bajohnson on PROD1PC69 with BILLS
492 
HR 2419 PCS
(A) the use of appropriate authorities, 
agencies, institutions, disciplines, and activities; 
and 
(B) the inclusion of appropriate partici-
pants and other beneficiaries in those activities, 
including intramural, extramural, Government, 
university, extension, and international, as de-
termined by the Under Secretary. 
(f) FUNDING.—The Under Secretary shall fund each 
Program Office through the appropriations available to 
the various agencies within the mission area. The aggre-
gate staff for all Program Offices shall not exceed 30 full- 
time equivalent positions and shall be filled by current full- 
time equivalent positions. 
(g) ORGANIZATION.—The Under Secretary shall inte-
grate leadership functions of the national program staff 
of the research agencies into the National Agricultural Re-
search Program Office in such form as required to ensure 
that the Directors of the Program Offices are the primary 
program leaders for the mission areas of the integrated 
agencies and that administrative duplication does not 
occur. 
(h) PRIORITIZING FEDERAL RESEARCH ACTIVITIES 
FOR SPECIALTY CROPS.—The Under Secretary, in coordi-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:40 Sep 06, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00492
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2419.PCS
H2419
bajohnson on PROD1PC69 with BILLS
493 
HR 2419 PCS
nation with the Directors of relevant Program Offices, 
shall— 
(1) coordinate with and assist producers and 
organizations comprised of program beneficiaries 
working together to develop and implement applied 
research and extension related to the United States 
specialty crop industry; 
(2) facilitate in the delivery of information to 
beneficiaries in a user-friendly form, in addition to 
a standard research publication, and reward pro-
viders for their abilities to deliver information to 
both the scientific community and the end-user; and 
(3) ensure coordination among research initia-
tives funded and sponsored by the Department of 
Agriculture. 
SEC. 7105. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMPETITIVE GRANT PRO-
GRAMS UNDER THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE 
FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE. 
Any office established to administer competitive pro-
grams under section 7101(b)(2), including the Agricul-
tural Bioenergy and Biobased Products Research Initia-
tive, the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, and Fresh 
Cut Produce Safety Grants created by this Act, shall be 
referred to as the National Institute of Food and Agri-
culture. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:40 Sep 06, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00493
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2419.PCS
H2419
bajohnson on PROD1PC69 with BILLS
494 
HR 2419 PCS
SEC. 7106. MERGING OF IFAFS AND NRI. 
(a) AMENDMENT.—Subsection (b) of the Competi-
tive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 
450i(b)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAMS.— 
‘‘(1) COMPETITIVE
BASIS.—The Secretary of 
Agriculture is authorized to make competitive grants 
for the purposes and priorities established under this 
subsection. 
‘‘(2) TERM.—The term of a competitive grant 
made under this subsection may not exceed 10 
years. 
‘‘(3) GENERAL
ADMINISTRATION.—In making 
grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) seek and accept proposals for grants; 
‘‘(B) determine the relevance and merit of 
proposals through a system of peer and merit 
review in accordance with section 103 of the 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613); 
‘‘(C) award grants on the basis of merit, 
quality, and relevance to advancing the pur-
poses and priorities established under para-
graphs (7) and (11) of this subsection; 
‘‘(D) solicit and consider input from per-
sons who conduct or use agricultural research, 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:40 Sep 06, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00494
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2419.PCS
H2419
bajohnson on PROD1PC69 with BILLS
495 
HR 2419 PCS
extension, or education in accordance with sec-
tion 102(b) of the Agricultural Research, Ex-
tension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
U.S.C. 7612(b)); and 
‘‘(E) in seeking proposals for grants under 
this subsection and in performing peer review 
evaluations of such proposals, seek the widest 
participation of qualified scientists in the Fed-
eral Government, colleges and universities, 
State agricultural experiment stations, and the 
private sector. 
‘‘(4) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—The Secretary may 
make a grant under this subsection to State agricul-
tural experiment stations, all colleges and univer-
sities, university research foundations, other re-
search institutions and organizations, Federal agen-
cies, national laboratories, private organizations or 
corporations, and individuals, for research to further 
the programs of the Department of Agriculture. 
‘‘(5) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—Not more than 
4 percent of funds made available pursuant to this 
subsection may be retained by the Secretary to pay 
administrative costs incurred by the Secretary in 
carrying out this subsection. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:40 Sep 06, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00495
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2419.PCS
H2419
bajohnson on PROD1PC69 with BILLS