888 
‘‘(2) PAYMENTS.—For fiscal year 2008 and 
each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary of the 
Treasury shall pay to the treasurer of each His-
panic-serving agricultural college and university an 
amount equal to— 
‘‘(A) the total amount made available by 
appropriations under paragraph (1); divided by 
‘‘(B) the number of Hispanic-serving agri-
cultural colleges and universities. 
‘‘(3) USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Amounts authorized 
to be appropriated under this subsection shall 
be used in the same manner as is prescribed for 
colleges under the Act of August 30, 1890 
(commonly known as the ‘Second Morrill Act’) 
(7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.). 
‘‘(B) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAW.—Ex-
cept as otherwise provided in this subsection, 
the requirements of that Act shall apply to His-
panic-serving agricultural colleges and univer-
sities under this section. 
‘‘(d) 
INSTITUTIONAL
CAPACITY-BUILDING 
GRANTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For fiscal year 2008 and 
each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall make 
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grants to assist Hispanic-serving agricultural col-
leges and universities in institutional capacity build-
ing (not including alteration, repair, renovation, or 
construction of buildings). 
‘‘(2) CRITERIA FOR INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY- 
BUILDING GRANTS.— 
‘‘(A) REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTS.—The 
Secretary shall make grants under this sub-
section on the basis of a competitive application 
process under which Hispanic-serving agricul-
tural colleges and universities may submit ap-
plications to the Secretary at such time, in such 
manner, and containing such information as the 
Secretary may require. 
‘‘(B) DEMONSTRATION OF NEED.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—As part of an ap-
plication for a grant under this subsection, 
the Secretary shall require the applicant to 
demonstrate need for the grant, as deter-
mined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(ii) OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING.— 
The Secretary may award a grant under 
this subsection only to an applicant that 
demonstrates a failure to obtain funding 
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for a project after making a reasonable ef-
fort to otherwise obtain the funding. 
‘‘(C) 
PAYMENT
OF
NON-FEDERAL 
SHARE.—A grant awarded under this sub-
section shall be made only if the recipient of the 
grant pays a non-Federal share in an amount 
that is specified by the Secretary and based on 
assessed institutional needs. 
‘‘(3) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
subsection for fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year 
thereafter. 
‘‘(e) COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish a competitive grants program to fund funda-
mental and applied research at Hispanic-serving ag-
ricultural colleges and universities in agriculture, 
human nutrition, food science, bioenergy, and envi-
ronmental science. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
subsection for fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year 
thereafter.’’. 
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(b) EXTENSION.—Section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act 
(7 U.S.C. 343) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(4) ANNUAL APPROPRIATION FOR HISPANIC- 
SERVING
AGRICULTURAL
COLLEGES
AND
UNIVER-
SITIES.— 
‘‘(A) 
AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIA-
TIONS.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary for payments to His-
panic-serving agricultural colleges and univer-
sities (as defined in section 1404 of the Na-
tional Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) 
such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
paragraph for fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal 
year thereafter, to remain available until ex-
pended. 
‘‘(B) 
ADDITIONAL
AMOUNT.—Amounts 
made available under this paragraph shall be in 
addition to any other amounts made available 
under this section to States, the Commonwealth 
of Puerto Rico, Guam, or the United States 
Virgin Islands. 
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‘‘(C) ADMINISTRATION.—Amounts made 
available under this paragraph shall be— 
‘‘(i) distributed on the basis of a com-
petitive application process to be developed 
and implemented by the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) paid by the Secretary to the 
State institutions established in accordance 
with the Act of July 2, 1862 (commonly 
known as the ‘First Morrill Act’) (7 U.S.C. 
301 et seq.); and 
‘‘(iii) administered by State institu-
tions through cooperative agreements with 
the Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges 
and universities in the State in accordance 
with regulations promulgated by the Sec-
retary.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (f)— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting 
‘‘AND HISPANIC-SERVING AGRICULTURAL COL-
LEGES AND UNIVERSITIES’’ after ‘‘1994 INSTI-
TUTIONS’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘pursuant to subsection 
(b)(3)’’ and inserting ‘‘or Hispanic-serving agri-
cultural colleges and universities in accordance 
with paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (b)’’. 
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(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Ex-
tension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
U.S.C. 7601) is amended— 
(A) by redesignating paragraph (6) as 
paragraph (7); and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (5) the 
following: 
‘‘(6) HISPANIC-SERVING
AGRICULTURAL
COL-
LEGES
AND
UNIVERSITIES.—The term ‘Hispanic- 
serving agricultural colleges and universities’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 1404 of the Na-
tional Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teach-
ing Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103).’’. 
(2) Section 102(c) of the Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
U.S.C. 7612(c)) is amended— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting 
‘‘AND HISPANIC-SERVING AGRICULTURAL COL-
LEGES
AND UNIVERSITIES’’ after ‘‘INSTITU-
TIONS’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘ and 
1994 Institution’’ and inserting ‘‘1994 Institu-
tion, and Hispanic-serving agricultural college 
and university’’. 
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(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by adding ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) giving priority to those institutions 
with existing memoranda of understanding, 
agreements, or other formal ties to United 
States institutions, or Federal or State agen-
cies;’’; 
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(3) enter into agreements with land-grant col-
leges and universities, Hispanic-serving agricultural 
colleges and universities, the Agency for Inter-
national Development, and international organiza-
tions (such as the United Nations, the World Bank, 
regional development banks, international agricul-
tural research centers), or other organizations, insti-
tutions, or individuals with comparable goals, to pro-
mote and support— 
‘‘(A) the development of a viable and sus-
tainable global agricultural system; 
‘‘(B) antihunger and improved inter-
national nutrition efforts; and 
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896 
‘‘(C) increased quantity, quality, and avail-
ability of food;’’; 
(3) in paragraph (7)(A), by striking ‘‘and land- 
grant colleges and universities’’ and inserting ‘‘, 
land-grant colleges and universities, and Hispanic- 
serving agricultural colleges and universities’’; 
(4) in paragraph (9)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘or 
other colleges and universities’’ and inserting ‘‘, 
Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and uni-
versities, or other colleges and universities’’; 
and 
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(5) in paragraph (10), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(6) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(11) establish a program for the purpose of 
providing fellowships to United States or foreign 
students to study at foreign agricultural colleges and 
universities working under agreements provided for 
under paragraph (3).’’. 
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SEC. 7131. COMPETITIVE GRANTS FOR INTERNATIONAL AG-
RICULTURAL SCIENCE AND EDUCATION PRO-
GRAMS. 
Section 1459A(c) of the National Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3292b(c)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7132. ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) LIMITATION ON INDIRECT COSTS FOR AGRICUL-
TURAL RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION PRO-
GRAMS.—Section 1462(a) of the National Agriculture Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3310(a)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘a competitive’’ and inserting 
‘‘any’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘19 percent’’ and inserting ‘‘22 
percent’’. 
(b) AUDITING, REPORTING, BOOKKEEPING, AND AD-
MINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS.—Section 1469(a)(3) of 
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3315(a)(3)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘appropriated’’ and inserting ‘‘made 
available’’. 
SEC. 7133. RESEARCH EQUIPMENT GRANTS. 
Section 1462A(e) of the National Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
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U.S.C. 3310a(e)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7134. UNIVERSITY RESEARCH. 
Section 1463 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3311) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ each place it ap-
pears in subsections (a) and (b) and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7135. EXTENSION SERVICE. 
Section 1464 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3312) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting 
‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7136. SUPPLEMENTAL AND ALTERNATIVE CROPS. 
Section 1473D(a) of the National Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3319d(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7137. NEW ERA RURAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM. 
Subtitle K of the National Agricultural Research, Ex-
tension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3310 
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 1473E. NEW ERA RURAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE.—In this 
section, the term ‘community college’ means an institution 
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of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the High-
er Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001))— 
‘‘(1) that admits as regular students individuals 
who— 
‘‘(A) are beyond the age of compulsory 
school attendance in the State in which the in-
stitution is located; and 
‘‘(B) have the ability to benefit from the 
training offered by the institution; 
‘‘(2) that does not provide an educational pro-
gram for which the institution awards a bachelor’s 
degree or an equivalent degree; and 
‘‘(3) that— 
‘‘(A) provides an educational program of 
not less than 2 years that is acceptable for full 
credit toward such a degree; or 
‘‘(B) offers a 2-year program in engineer-
ing, technology, mathematics, or the physical, 
chemical, or biological sciences, designed to pre-
pare a student to work as a technician or at the 
semiprofessional level in engineering, scientific, 
or other technological fields requiring the un-
derstanding and application of basic engineer-
ing, scientific, or mathematical principles of 
knowledge. 
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‘‘(b) FUNCTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
establish a program to be known as the ‘New 
Era Rural Technology Program’, to make 
grants available for technology development, ap-
plied research, and training to aid in the devel-
opment of an agriculture-based renewable en-
ergy workforce. 
‘‘(B) SUPPORT.—The initiative under this 
section shall support the fields of— 
‘‘(i) bioenergy; 
‘‘(ii) pulp and paper manufacturing; 
and 
‘‘(iii) agriculture-based renewable en-
ergy resources. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS
FOR
FUNDING.—To re-
ceive funding under this section, an entity shall— 
‘‘(A) be a community college or advanced 
technological center, located in a rural area and 
in existence on the date of the enactment of 
this section, that participates in agricultural or 
bioenergy research and applied research; 
‘‘(B) have a proven record of development 
and implementation of programs to meet the 
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needs of students, educators, and business and 
industry to supply the agriculture-based, renew-
able energy or pulp and paper manufacturing 
fields with certified technicians, as determined 
by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(C) have the ability to leverage existing 
partnerships and occupational outreach and 
training programs for secondary schools, 4-year 
institutions, and relevant nonprofit organiza-
tions. 
‘‘(c) GRANT PRIORITY.—In providing grants under 
this section, the Secretary shall give preference to eligible 
entities working in partnership— 
‘‘(1) to improve information-sharing capacity; 
and 
‘‘(2) to maximize the ability to meet the re-
quirements of this section. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 
through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 7138. CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS FOR NLGCA INSTI-
TUTIONS. 
Subtitle K of the National Agricultural Research, Ex-
tension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3310 
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et seq.) (as amended by section 7137) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 1473F. CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS FOR NLGCA IN-
STITUTIONS. 
‘‘(a) GRANT PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall make 
competitive grants to NLGCA Institutions to assist 
the NLGCA Institutions in maintaining and expand-
ing the capacity of the NLGCA Institutions to con-
duct education, research, and outreach activities re-
lating to— 
‘‘(A) agriculture; 
‘‘(B) renewable resources; and 
‘‘(C) other similar disciplines. 
‘‘(2) USE OF FUNDS.—An NLGCA Institution 
that receives a grant under paragraph (1) may use 
the funds made available through the grant to main-
tain and expand the capacity of the NLGCA Institu-
tion— 
‘‘(A) to successfully compete for funds 
from Federal grants and other sources to carry 
out educational, research, and outreach activi-
ties that address priority concerns of national, 
regional, State, and local interest; 
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‘‘(B) to disseminate information relating to 
priority concerns to— 
‘‘(i) interested members of the agri-
culture, renewable resources, and other rel-
evant communities; 
‘‘(ii) the public; and 
‘‘(iii) any other interested entity; 
‘‘(C) to encourage members of the agri-
culture, renewable resources, and other relevant 
communities to participate in priority edu-
cation, research, and outreach activities by pro-
viding matching funding to leverage grant 
funds; and 
‘‘(D) through— 
‘‘(i) the purchase or other acquisition 
of equipment and other infrastructure (not 
including alteration, repair, renovation, or 
construction of buildings); 
‘‘(ii) the professional growth and de-
velopment of the faculty of the NLGCA In-
stitution; and 
‘‘(iii) the development of graduate 
assistantships. 
‘‘(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
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such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 
through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 
7139. 
BORLAUG 
INTERNATIONAL 
AGRICULTURAL 
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FELLOWSHIP 
PROGRAM. 
Subtitle K of the National Agricultural Research, Ex-
tension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3310 
et seq.) (as amended by section 7138) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 1473G. BORLAUG INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL 
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FELLOWSHIP 
PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish a fellowship program, to be known as the 
‘Borlaug International Agricultural Science and 
Technology Fellowship Program,’ to provide fellow-
ships for scientific training and study in the United 
States to individuals from eligible countries (as de-
scribed in subsection (b)) who specialize in agricul-
tural education, research, and extension. 
‘‘(2) PROGRAMS.—The Secretary shall carry 
out the fellowship program by implementing 3 pro-
grams designed to assist individual fellowship recipi-
ents, including— 
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‘‘(A) a graduate studies program in agri-
culture to assist individuals who participate in 
graduate agricultural degree training at a 
United States institution; 
‘‘(B) an individual career improvement 
program to assist agricultural scientists from 
developing countries in upgrading skills and un-
derstanding in agricultural science and tech-
nology; and 
‘‘(C) a Borlaug agricultural policy execu-
tive leadership course to assist senior agricul-
tural policy makers from eligible countries, with 
an initial focus on individuals from sub-Saharan 
Africa and the independent states of the former 
Soviet Union. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES.—An eligible country is 
a developing country, as determined by the Secretary 
using a gross national income per capita test selected by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(c) PURPOSE OF FELLOWSHIPS.—A fellowship pro-
vided under this section shall— 
‘‘(1) promote food security and economic 
growth in eligible countries by— 
‘‘(A) educating a new generation of agri-
cultural scientists; 
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‘‘(B) increasing scientific knowledge and 
collaborative research to improve agricultural 
productivity; and 
‘‘(C) extending that knowledge to users 
and intermediaries in the marketplace; and 
‘‘(2) shall support— 
‘‘(A) training and collaborative research 
opportunities through exchanges for entry level 
international agricultural research scientists, 
faculty, and policymakers from eligible coun-
tries; 
‘‘(B) collaborative research to improve ag-
ricultural productivity; 
‘‘(C) the transfer of new science and agri-
cultural technologies to strengthen agricultural 
practice; and 
‘‘(D) the reduction of barriers to tech-
nology adoption. 
‘‘(d) FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS.— 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE
CANDIDATES.—The Secretary 
may provide fellowships under this section to individ-
uals from eligible countries who specialize or have 
experience in agricultural education, research, exten-
sion, or related fields, including— 
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‘‘(A) individuals from the public and pri-
vate sectors; and 
‘‘(B) private agricultural producers. 
‘‘(2) CANDIDATE
IDENTIFICATION.—The Sec-
retary shall use the expertise of United States land- 
grant colleges and universities and similar univer-
sities, international organizations working in agricul-
tural research and outreach, and national agricul-
tural research organizations to help identify program 
candidates for fellowships under this section from 
the public and private sectors of eligible countries. 
‘‘(e) USE OF FELLOWSHIPS.—A fellowship provided 
under this section shall be used— 
‘‘(1) to promote collaborative programs among 
agricultural professionals of eligible countries, agri-
cultural professionals of the United States, the inter-
national agricultural research system, and, as appro-
priate, United States entities conducting research; 
and 
‘‘(2) to support fellowship recipients through 
programs described in subsection (a)(2). 
‘‘(f) PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary 
shall provide for the management, coordination, evalua-
tion, and monitoring of the Borlaug International Agricul-
tural Science and Technology Fellowship Program and for 
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(35) through (40), and (44) as paragraphs (1) 
through (29), respectively; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(30) AIR EMISSIONS FROM LIVESTOCK OPER-
ATIONS.—Research and extension grants may be 
made under this section for the purpose of con-
ducting field verification tests and developing mitiga-
tion options for air emissions from animal feeding 
operations. 
‘‘(31) SWINE
GENOME
PROJECT.—Research 
grants may be made under this section to conduct 
swine genome research, including the mapping of the 
swine genome. 
‘‘(32) CATTLE
FEVER
TICK
PROGRAM.—Re-
search and extension grants may be made under this 
section to study cattle fever ticks to facilitate under-
standing of the role of wildlife in the persistence and 
spread of cattle fever ticks, to develop advanced 
methods for eradication of cattle fever ticks, and to 
improve management of diseases relating to cattle 
fever ticks that are associated with wildlife, live-
stock, and human health. 
‘‘(33) SYNTHETIC GYPSUM.—Research and ex-
tension grants may be made under this section to 
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study the uses of synthetic gypsum from electric 
power plants to remediate soil and nutrient losses. 
‘‘(34) CRANBERRY RESEARCH PROGRAM.—Re-
search and extension grants may be made under this 
section to study new technologies to assist cranberry 
growers in complying with Federal and State envi-
ronmental regulations, increase production, develop 
new growing techniques, establish more efficient 
growing methodologies, and educate cranberry pro-
ducers about sustainable growth practices. 
‘‘(35) SORGHUM
RESEARCH
INITIATIVE.—Re-
search and extension grants may be made under this 
section to study the use of sorghum as a bioenergy 
feedstock, promote diversification in, and the envi-
ronmental benefits of sorghum production, and pro-
mote water conservation through the use of sor-
ghum. 
‘‘(36) MARINE SHRIMP FARMING PROGRAM.— 
Research and extension grants may be made under 
this section to establish a research program to ad-
vance and maintain a domestic shrimp farming in-
dustry in the United States. 
‘‘(37) TURFGRASS RESEARCH INITIATIVE.—Re-
search and extension grants may be made under this 
section to study the production of turfgrass (includ-
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ing the use of water, fertilizer, pesticides, fossil 
fuels, and machinery for turf establishment and 
maintenance) and environmental protection and en-
hancement relating to turfgrass production. 
‘‘(38) AGRICULTURAL
WORKER
SAFETY
RE-
SEARCH INITIATIVE.—Research and extension grants 
may be made under this section— 
‘‘(A) to study and demonstrate methods to 
minimize exposure of farm and ranch owners 
and operators, pesticide handlers, and agricul-
tural workers to pesticides, including research 
addressing the unique concerns of farm workers 
resulting from long-term exposure to pesticides; 
and 
‘‘(B) to develop rapid tests for on-farm use 
to better inform and educate farmers, ranchers, 
and farm and ranch workers regarding safe 
field re-entry intervals. 
‘‘(39) HIGH
PLAINS
AQUIFER
REGION.—Re-
search and extension grants may be made under this 
section to carry out interdisciplinary research relat-
ing to diminishing water levels and increased de-
mand for water in the High Plains aquifer region. 
‘‘(40) DEER INITIATIVE.—Research and exten-
sion grants may be made under this section to sup-
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port collaborative research focusing on the develop-
ment of viable strategies for the prevention, diag-
nosis, and treatment of infectious, parasitic, and 
toxic diseases of farmed deer and the mapping of the 
deer genome. 
‘‘(41) PASTURE-BASED
BEEF
SYSTEMS
RE-
SEARCH INITIATIVE.—Research and extension grants 
may be made under this section to study the devel-
opment of forage sequences and combinations for 
cow-calf, heifer development, stocker, and finishing 
systems, to deliver optimal nutritive value for effi-
cient production of cattle for pasture finishing, to 
optimize forage systems to improve marketability of 
pasture-finished beef, and to assess the effect of for-
age quality on reproductive fitness. 
‘‘(42) AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES RELATING TO 
CLIMATE CHANGE.—Research and extension grants 
may be made under this section for field and labora-
tory studies that examine the ecosystem from gross 
to minute scales and for projects that explore the re-
lationship of agricultural practices to climate 
change. 
‘‘(43) BRUCELLOSIS
CONTROL
AND
ERADI-
CATION.—Research and extension grants may be 
made under this section to conduct research relating 
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to the development of vaccines and vaccine delivery 
systems to effectively control and eliminate brucel-
losis in wildlife, and to assist with the controlling of 
the spread of brucellosis from wildlife to domestic 
animals. 
‘‘(44) BIGHORN AND DOMESTIC SHEEP DISEASE 
MECHANISMS.—Research and extension grants may 
be made under this section to conduct research re-
lating to the health status of (including the presence 
of infectious diseases in) bighorn and domestic sheep 
under range conditions. 
‘‘(45) AGRICULTURAL
DEVELOPMENT
IN
THE 
AMERICAN-PACIFIC
REGION.—Research and exten-
sion grants may be made under this section to sup-
port food and agricultural science at a consortium of 
land-grant institutions in the American-Pacific re-
gion. 
‘‘(46) TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL AGRICUL-
TURAL RESEARCH.—Research grants may be made 
under this section, in equal dollar amounts to the 
Caribbean and Pacific Basins, to support tropical 
and subtropical agricultural research, including pest 
and disease research, at the land-grant institutions 
in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. 
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‘‘(47) VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC SEPTICEMIA.—Re-
search and extension grants may be made under this 
section to study— 
‘‘(A) the effects of viral hemorrhagic septi-
cemia (referred to in this paragraph as ‘VHS’) 
on freshwater fish throughout the natural and 
expanding range of VHS; and 
‘‘(B) 
methods 
for 
transmission 
and 
human-mediated transport of VHS among 
waterbodies. 
‘‘(48) FARM
AND
RANCH
SAFETY.—Research 
and extension grants may be made under this sec-
tion to carry out projects to decrease the incidence 
of injury and death on farms and ranches, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(A) on-site farm or ranch safety reviews; 
‘‘(B) outreach and dissemination of farm 
safety research and interventions to agricultural 
employers, employees, youth, farm and ranch 
families, seasonal workers, or other individuals; 
and 
‘‘(C) agricultural safety education and 
training. 
‘‘(49) WOMEN
AND
MINORITIES
IN
STEM 
FIELDS.—Research and extension grants may be 
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made under this section to increase participation by 
women and underrepresented minorities from rural 
areas in the fields of science, technology, engineer-
ing, and mathematics, with priority given to eligible 
institutions that carry out continuing programs 
funded by the Secretary. 
‘‘(50) ALFALFA AND FORAGE RESEARCH PRO-
GRAM.—Research and extension grants may be made 
under this section for the purpose of studying im-
provements in alfalfa and forage yields, biomass and 
persistence, pest pressures, the bioenergy potential 
of alfalfa and other forages, and systems to reduce 
losses during harvest and storage. 
‘‘(51) FOOD
SYSTEMS
VETERINARY
MEDI-
CINE.—Research grants may be made under this 
section to address health issues that affect food-pro-
ducing animals, food safety, and the environment, 
and to improve information resources, curriculum, 
and clinical education of students with respect to 
food animal veterinary medicine and food safety. 
‘‘(52) BIOCHAR
RESEARCH.—Grants may be 
made under this section for research, extension, and 
integrated activities relating to the study of biochar 
production and use, including considerations of agro-
nomic and economic impacts, synergies of coproduc-
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tion with bioenergy, and the value of soil enhance-
ments and soil carbon sequestration.’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (h) as sub-
section (j); 
(3) by inserting after subsection (g) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(h) POLLINATOR PROTECTION.— 
‘‘(1) RESEARCH AND EXTENSION.— 
‘‘(A) GRANTS.—Research and extension 
grants may be made under this section— 
‘‘(i) to survey and collect data on bee 
colony production and health; 
‘‘(ii) to investigate pollinator biology, 
immunology, 
ecology, 
genomics, 
and 
bioinformatics; 
‘‘(iii) to conduct research on various 
factors that may be contributing to or as-
sociated with colony collapse disorder, and 
other serious threats to the health of honey 
bees and other pollinators, including— 
‘‘(I) parasites and pathogens of 
pollinators; and 
‘‘(II) the sublethal effects of in-
secticides, herbicides, and fungicides 
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on honey bees and native and man-
aged pollinators; 
‘‘(iv) to develop mitigative and pre-
ventative measures to improve native and 
managed pollinator health; and 
‘‘(v) to promote the health of honey 
bees and native pollinators through habitat 
conservation and best management prac-
tices. 
‘‘(B) 
AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIA-
TIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated 
to carry out this paragraph $10,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. 
‘‘(2) DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CAPACITY 
AND INFRASTRUCTURE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, 
to the maximum extent practicable, increase the 
capacity and infrastructure of the Depart-
ment— 
‘‘(i) to address colony collapse dis-
order and other long-term threats to polli-
nator health, including the hiring of addi-
tional personnel; and 
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‘‘(ii) to conduct research on colony 
collapse disorder and other pollinator 
issues at the facilities of the Department. 
‘‘(B) 
AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIA-
TIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated 
to carry out this paragraph $7,250,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. 
‘‘(3) HONEY BEE PEST AND PATHOGEN SUR-
VEILLANCE.—There is authorized to be appropriated 
to conduct a nationwide honey bee pest and patho-
gen surveillance program $2,750,000 for each of fis-
cal years 2008 through 2012. 
‘‘(4) ANNUAL REPORT ON RESPONSE TO HONEY 
BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER.—The Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Ag-
riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate an 
annual report describing the progress made by the 
Department of Agriculture in— 
‘‘(A) investigating the cause or causes of 
honey bee colony collapse; and 
‘‘(B) finding appropriate strategies to re-
duce colony loss. 
‘‘(i) REGIONAL CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.— 
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‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall 
prioritize regional centers of excellence established 
for specific agricultural commodities for the receipt 
of funding under this section. 
‘‘(2) COMPOSITION.—A regional center of excel-
lence shall be composed of 1 or more colleges and 
universities 
(including 
land-grant 
institutions, 
schools of forestry, schools of veterinary medicine, or 
NLGCA Institutions (as defined in section 1404 of 
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103))) that 
provide financial support to the regional center of 
excellence. 
‘‘(3) CRITERIA FOR REGIONAL CENTERS OF EX-
CELLENCE.—The criteria for consideration to be a 
regional center of excellence shall include efforts— 
‘‘(A) to ensure coordination and cost-effec-
tiveness by reducing unnecessarily duplicative 
efforts regarding research, teaching, and exten-
sion; 
‘‘(B) to leverage available resources by 
using public/private partnerships among agri-
cultural industry groups, institutions of higher 
education, and the Federal Government; 
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‘‘(C) to implement teaching initiatives to 
increase awareness and effectively disseminate 
solutions to target audiences through extension 
activities; 
‘‘(D) to increase the economic returns to 
rural communities by identifying, attracting, 
and directing funds to high-priority agricultural 
issues; and 
‘‘(E) to improve teaching capacity and in-
frastructure at colleges and universities (includ-
ing land-grant institutions, schools of forestry, 
and schools of veterinary medicine).’’; and 
(4) in subsection (j) (as redesignated by para-
graph (2)), by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting 
‘‘2012’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 1672 of 
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 
1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) is amended— 
(1) in the first sentence of subsection (a), by 
striking ‘‘(e), (f), and (g)’’ and inserting ‘‘(e) 
through (i)’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘para-
graphs (1), (6), (7), and (11)’’ and inserting 
‘‘paragraphs (4), (7), (8), and (11)(B)’’; and 
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(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘sub-
section (e)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsections (e) 
through (i)’’. 
SEC. 7205. NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT RESEARCH AND EX-
TENSION INITIATIVE. 
Section 1672A of the Food, Agriculture, Conserva-
tion, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925a) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (1) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Paragraphs (4), (7), (8), 
and (11)(B) of subsection (b) of the Competitive, 
Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 
450i) shall apply with respect to the making of 
grants under this section.’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(d) PRIORITY.—Following the completion of a peer 
review process for grant proposals received under this sec-
tion, the Secretary shall give priority to those grant pro-
posals that involve— 
‘‘(1) the cooperation of multiple entities; and 
‘‘(2) States or regions with a high concentration 
of livestock, dairy, or poultry operations.’’; 
(3) in subsection (e)— 
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(A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ‘‘and 
dairy and beef cattle waste’’ after ‘‘swine 
waste’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraph (5) and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(5) ALTERNATIVE USES AND RENEWABLE EN-
ERGY.—Research and extension grants may be made 
under this section for the purpose of finding innova-
tive methods and technologies to allow agricultural 
operators to make use of animal waste, such as use 
as fertilizer, methane digestion, composting, and 
other useful byproducts.’’; 
(4) by redesignating subsection (g) as sub-
section (f); and 
(5) in subsection (f) (as so redesignated), by 
striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7206. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTEN-
SION INITIATIVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1672B of the Food, Agri-
culture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
5925b) (commonly known as the ‘‘Organic Agriculture Re-
search and Extension Initiative’’) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
after the semicolon; 
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(B) in paragraph (6), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(7) examining optimal conservation and envi-
ronmental outcomes relating to organically produced 
agricultural products; and 
‘‘(8) developing new and improved seed vari-
eties that are particularly suited for organic agri-
culture.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the funds of the Com-
modity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make 
available to carry out this section— 
‘‘(A) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and 
‘‘(B) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2010 through 2012. 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL
FUNDING.—In addition to 
amounts made available under paragraph (1), there 
is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 
through 2012.’’. 
(b) COORDINATION.—In carrying out the amendment 
made by this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the 
Division Chief of the applicable Research, Education, and 
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Extension Office established under section 251 of the De-
partment of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 6971) coordinates projects and activities under this 
section to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that 
unnecessary duplication of effort is eliminated or mini-
mized. 
SEC. 7207. AGRICULTURAL BIOENERGY FEEDSTOCK AND 
ENERGY EFFICIENCY RESEARCH AND EXTEN-
SION INITIATIVE. 
Title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.) is amended 
by inserting after section 1672B (7 U.S.C. 5925b) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘SEC. 1672C. AGRICULTURAL BIOENERGY FEEDSTOCK AND 
ENERGY EFFICIENCY RESEARCH AND EXTEN-
SION INITIATIVE. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.—There is es-
tablished within the Department of Agriculture an agricul-
tural bioenergy feedstock and energy efficiency research 
and extension initiative (referred to in this section as the 
‘Initiative’) for the purpose of enhancing the production 
of biomass energy crops and the energy efficiency of agri-
cultural operations. 
‘‘(b) COMPETITIVE
RESEARCH
AND
EXTENSION 
GRANTS AUTHORIZED.—In carrying out this section, the 
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Secretary shall make competitive grants to support re-
search and extension activities specified in subsections (c) 
and (d). 
‘‘(c) AGRICULTURAL BIOENERGY FEEDSTOCK RE-
SEARCH AND EXTENSION AREAS.— 
‘‘(1) 
IN
GENERAL.—Agricultural 
bioenergy 
feedstock research and extension activities funded 
under the Initiative shall focus on improving agricul-
tural biomass production, biomass conversion in bio-
refineries, and biomass use by— 
‘‘(A) supporting on-farm research on crop 
species, nutrient requirements, management 
practices, environmental impacts, and econom-
ics; 
‘‘(B) supporting the development and oper-
ation of on-farm, integrated biomass feedstock 
production systems; 
‘‘(C) leveraging the broad scientific capa-
bilities of the Department of Agriculture and 
other entities in— 
‘‘(i) plant genetics and breeding; 
‘‘(ii) crop production; 
‘‘(iii) soil and water science; 
‘‘(iv) use of agricultural waste; and 
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‘‘(v) carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and 
lignin chemistry, enzyme development, and 
biochemistry; and 
‘‘(D) supporting the dissemination of any 
of the research conducted under this subsection 
that will assist in achieving the goals of this 
section. 
‘‘(2) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In selecting grant 
recipients for projects under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary shall consider— 
‘‘(A) the capabilities and experiences of the 
applicant, including— 
‘‘(i) research in actual field condi-
tions; and 
‘‘(ii) engineering and research knowl-
edge relating to biofuels or the production 
of inputs for biofuel production; 
‘‘(B) the range of species types and crop-
ping practices proposed for study (including 
species types and practices studied using side- 
by-side comparisons of those types and prac-
tices); 
‘‘(C) the need for regional diversity among 
feedstocks; 
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‘‘(D) 
the 
importance 
of 
developing 
multiyear data relevant to the production of 
biomass feedstock crops; 
‘‘(E) the extent to which the project in-
volves direct participation of agricultural pro-
ducers; 
‘‘(F) the extent to which the project pro-
posal includes a plan or commitment to use the 
biomass produced as part of the project in com-
mercial channels; and 
‘‘(G) such other factors as the Secretary 
may determine. 
‘‘(d) ENERGY-EFFICIENCY RESEARCH AND EXTEN-
SION AREAS.—On-farm energy-efficiency research and ex-
tension activities funded under the Initiative shall focus 
on developing and demonstrating technologies and produc-
tion practices relating to— 
‘‘(1) improving on-farm renewable energy pro-
duction; 
‘‘(2) encouraging efficient on-farm energy use; 
‘‘(3) promoting on-farm energy conservation; 
‘‘(4) making a farm or ranch energy-neutral; 
and 
‘‘(5) enhancing on-farm usage of advanced tech-
nologies to promote energy efficiency. 
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‘‘(e) BEST PRACTICES DATABASE.—The Secretary 
shall develop a best-practices database that includes infor-
mation, to be available to the public, on— 
‘‘(1) the production potential of a variety of bio-
mass crops; and 
‘‘(2) best practices for production, collection, 
harvesting, storage, and transportation of biomass 
crops to be used as a source of bioenergy. 
‘‘(f) ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Paragraphs (4), (7), (8), 
and (11)(B) of subsection (b) of the Competitive, 
Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 
450i(b)) shall apply with respect to making grants 
under this section. 
‘‘(2) CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION.—The 
Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) make the grants in consultation with 
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
Education, and Economics Advisory Board; and 
‘‘(B) coordinate projects and activities car-
ried out under the Initiative with projects and 
activities under section 9008 of the Farm Secu-
rity and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to en-
sure, to the maximum extent practicable, that— 
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‘‘(i) unnecessary duplication of effort 
is eliminated or minimized; and 
‘‘(ii) the respective strengths of the 
Department of Agriculture and the De-
partment of Energy are appropriately 
used. 
‘‘(3) GRANT
PRIORITY.—The Secretary shall 
give priority to grant applications that integrate re-
search and extension activities established under 
subsections (c) and (d), respectively. 
‘‘(4) MATCHING FUNDS REQUIRED.—As a con-
dition of receiving a grant under this section, the 
Secretary shall require the recipient of the grant to 
provide funds or in-kind support from non-Federal 
sources in an amount that is at least equal to the 
amount provided by the Federal Government. 
‘‘(5) PARTNERSHIPS ENCOURAGED.—Following 
the completion of a peer review process for grant 
proposals received under this section, the Secretary 
may provide a priority to those grant proposals 
found as a result of the peer review process— 
‘‘(A) to be scientifically meritorious; and 
‘‘(B) that involve cooperation— 
‘‘(i) among multiple entities; and 
‘‘(ii) with agricultural producers. 
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‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 
7208. 
FARM 
BUSINESS 
MANAGEMENT 
AND 
BENCHMARKING. 
The Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act 
of 1990 is amended by inserting after section 1672C (as 
added by section 7207) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 1672D. FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make com-
petitive research and extension grants for the purpose of— 
‘‘(1) improving the farm management knowl-
edge and skills of agricultural producers; and 
‘‘(2) establishing and maintaining a national, 
publicly available farm financial management data-
base to support improved farm management. 
‘‘(b) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In allocating funds 
made available to carry out this section, the Secretary may 
give priority to grants that— 
‘‘(1) demonstrate an ability to work directly 
with agricultural producers; 
‘‘(2) collaborate with farm management and 
producer associations; 
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‘‘(3) address the farm management needs of a 
variety of crops and regions of the United States; 
and 
‘‘(4) use and support the national farm finan-
cial management database. 
‘‘(c) ADMINISTRATION.—Paragraphs (4), (7), (8), 
and (11)(B) of subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, 
and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)) shall 
apply with respect to the making of grants under this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are nec-
essary to carry out this section.’’. 
SEC. 7209. AGRICULTURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS PRO-
GRAM. 
Section 1673 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5926) is repealed. 
SEC. 7210. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR FARM-
ERS WITH DISABILITIES. 
Section 1680(c)(1) of the Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5933(c)(1)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7211. RESEARCH ON HONEY BEE DISEASES. 
Section 1681 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5934) is repealed. 
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SEC. 
7212. 
NATIONAL 
RURAL 
INFORMATION 
CENTER 
CLEARINGHOUSE. 
Section 2381(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conserva-
tion, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3125b(e)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
Subtitle C—Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Education Re-
form Act of 1998 
SEC. 7301. PEER AND MERIT REVIEW. 
Section 103(a) of the Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7613(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) CONSIDERATION.—Peer and merit review 
procedures established under paragraphs (1) and (2) 
shall not take the offer or availability of matching 
funds into consideration.’’. 
SEC. 7302. PARTNERSHIPS FOR HIGH-VALUE AGRICUL-
TURAL PRODUCT QUALITY RESEARCH. 
Section 402 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7622) is 
repealed. 
SEC. 7303. PRECISION AGRICULTURE. 
Section 403 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7623) is 
repealed. 
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SEC. 7304. BIOBASED PRODUCTS. 
(a) PILOT PROJECT.—Section 404(e)(2) of the Agri-
cultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act 
of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7624(e)(2)) is amended by striking 
‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
404(h) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7624(h)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7305. THOMAS JEFFERSON INITIATIVE FOR CROP DI-
VERSIFICATION. 
Section 405 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625) is 
repealed. 
SEC. 7306. INTEGRATED RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EX-
TENSION COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM. 
Section 406(f) of the Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7626(f)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting 
‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7307. FUSARIUM GRAMINEARUM GRANTS. 
Section 408 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7628) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), in the subsection heading, 
by striking ‘‘GRANT’’ and inserting ‘‘GRANTS’’; and 
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(2) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘2007’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7308. BOVINE JOHNE’S DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAM. 
Section 409(b) of the Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7629(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting 
‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7309. GRANTS FOR YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS. 
Section 410 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7630) is 
amended by striking subsections (b) and (c) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(b) FLEXIBILITY.—The Secretary shall provide 
maximum flexibility in content delivery to each organiza-
tion receiving funds under this section so as to ensure that 
the unique goals of each organization, as well as the local 
community needs, are fully met. 
‘‘(c) REDISTRIBUTION OF FUNDING WITHIN ORGA-
NIZATIONS AUTHORIZED.—Recipients of funds under this 
section may redistribute all or part of the funds received 
to individual councils or local chapters within the councils 
without further need of approval from the Secretary. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
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such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 
through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 7310. AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH 
AND DEVELOPMENT FOR DEVELOPING COUN-
TRIES. 
Section 411(c) of the Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7631(c)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting 
‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7311. SPECIALTY CROP RESEARCH INITIATIVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title IV of the Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
U.S.C. 7621 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 412. SPECIALTY CROP RESEARCH INITIATIVE. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) INITIATIVE.—The term ‘Initiative’ means 
the specialty crop research and extension initiative 
established by subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) SPECIALTY
CROP.—The term ‘specialty 
crop’ has the meaning given that term in section 3 
of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 
(7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 108–465). 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within 
the Department a specialty crop research and extension 
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initiative to address the critical needs of the specialty crop 
industry by developing and disseminating science-based 
tools to address needs of specific crops and their regions, 
including— 
‘‘(1) research in plant breeding, genetics, and 
genomics to improve crop characteristics, such as— 
‘‘(A) product, taste, quality, and appear-
ance; 
‘‘(B) environmental responses and toler-
ances; 
‘‘(C) nutrient management, including plant 
nutrient uptake efficiency; 
‘‘(D) pest and disease management, includ-
ing resistance to pests and diseases resulting in 
reduced application management strategies; and 
‘‘(E) enhanced phytonutrient content; 
‘‘(2) efforts to identify and address threats 
from pests and diseases, including threats to spe-
cialty crop pollinators; 
‘‘(3) efforts to improve production efficiency, 
productivity, and profitability over the long term (in-
cluding specialty crop policy and marketing); 
‘‘(4) new innovations and technology, including 
improved mechanization and technologies that delay 
or inhibit ripening; and 
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‘‘(5) methods to prevent, detect, monitor, con-
trol, and respond to potential food safety hazards in 
the production and processing of specialty crops, in-
cluding fresh produce. 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—The Secretary may carry 
out the Initiative through— 
‘‘(1) Federal agencies; 
‘‘(2) national laboratories; 
‘‘(3) colleges and universities; 
‘‘(4) research institutions and organizations; 
‘‘(5) private organizations or corporations; 
‘‘(6) State agricultural experiment stations; 
‘‘(7) individuals; or 
‘‘(8) groups consisting of 2 or more entities de-
scribed in paragraphs (1) through (7). 
‘‘(d) RESEARCH PROJECTS.—In carrying out this 
section, the Secretary shall award grants on a competitive 
basis. 
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—With respect to grants 
awarded under subsection (d), the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) seek and accept proposals for grants; 
‘‘(B) determine the relevance and merit of 
proposals through a system of peer and merit 
review in accordance with section 103; and 
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‘‘(C) award grants on the basis of merit, 
quality, and relevance. 
‘‘(2) TERM.—The term of a grant under this 
section may not exceed 10 years. 
‘‘(3) MATCHING FUNDS REQUIRED.—The Sec-
retary shall require the recipient of a grant under 
this section to provide funds or in-kind support from 
non-Federal sources in an amount that is at least 
equal to the amount provided by the Federal Gov-
ernment. 
‘‘(4) OTHER CONDITIONS.—The Secretary may 
set such other conditions on the award of a grant 
under this section as the Secretary determines to be 
appropriate. 
‘‘(f) PRIORITIES.—In making grants under this sec-
tion, the Secretary shall provide a higher priority to 
projects that— 
‘‘(1) are multistate, multi-institutional, or mul-
tidisciplinary; and 
‘‘(2) include explicit mechanisms to commu-
nicate results to producers and the public. 
‘‘(g) BUILDINGS
AND FACILITIES.—Funds made 
available under this section shall not be used for the con-
struction of a new building or facility or the acquisition, 
expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing build-
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ing or facility (including site grading and improvement, 
and architect fees). 
‘‘(h) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the funds of the Com-
modity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make 
available to carry out this section $30,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2008 and $50,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2009 through 2012, from which activities 
under each of paragraphs (1) through (5) of sub-
section (b) shall be allocated not less than 10 per-
cent. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In 
addition to funds made available under paragraph 
(1), there is authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2008 through 2012. 
‘‘(3) TRANSFER.—Of the funds made available 
to the Secretary under paragraph (1) for fiscal year 
2008 and authorized for use for payment of admin-
istrative expenses under section 1469(a)(3) of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3315(a)(3)), 
the Secretary shall transfer, upon the date of enact-
ment of this section, $200,000 to the Office of Pre-
vention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances of the En-
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vironmental Protection Agency for use in conducting 
a meta-analysis relating to methyl bromide. 
‘‘(4) AVAILABILITY.—Funds made available 
pursuant to this subsection for a fiscal year shall re-
main available until expended to pay for obligations 
incurred in that fiscal year.’’. 
(b) COORDINATION.—In carrying out the amendment 
made by this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the 
Division Chief of the applicable Research, Education, and 
Extension Office established under section 251 of the De-
partment of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 6971) coordinates projects and activities under this 
section to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that 
unnecessary duplication of effort is eliminated or mini-
mized. 
SEC. 7312. FOOD ANIMAL RESIDUE AVOIDANCE DATABASE 
PROGRAM. 
Section 604 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7642) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In ad-
dition to any other funds available to carry out subsection 
(c), there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this section $2,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 
through 2012.’’. 
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SEC. 7313. OFFICE OF PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY. 
Section 614(f) of the Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7653(f)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting 
‘‘2012’’. 
Subtitle D—Other Laws 
SEC. 7401. CRITICAL AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS ACT. 
Section 16(a) of the Critical Agricultural Materials 
Act (7 U.S.C. 178n(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7402. EQUITY IN EDUCATIONAL LAND-GRANT STATUS 
ACT OF 1994. 
(a) DEFINITION OF 1994 INSTITUTIONS.—Section 
532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act 
of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103–382) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(34) Ilisagvik College.’’. 
(b) ENDOWMENT FOR 1994 INSTITUTIONS.—Section 
533 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act 
of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103–382) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(3), in the matter pre-
ceding subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘this section 
and’’ before ‘‘sections 534,’’; and 
(2) in the first sentence of subsection (b), by 
striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
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(c) REDISTRIBUTION.—Section 534(a)(3) of the Eq-
uity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103–382) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The amounts’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), the amounts’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) 
REDISTRIBUTION.—Funds 
that 
would be paid to a 1994 Institution under para-
graph (2) shall be withheld from that 1994 In-
stitution and redistributed among the other 
1994 Institutions if that 1994 Institution— 
‘‘(i) declines to accept funds under 
paragraph (2); or 
‘‘(ii) fails to meet the accreditation re-
quirements under section 533(a)(3).’’. 
(d) INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS.— 
Section 535 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Sta-
tus Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103– 
382) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(e) RESEARCH GRANTS.—Section 536(c) of the Eq-
uity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 
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U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103–382) is amended in the 
first sentence by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(f) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) takes effect on October 1, 2008. 
SEC. 7403. SMITH-LEVER ACT. 
(a) PROGRAM.—Section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act 
(7 U.S.C. 343(d)) is amended in the second sentence by 
striking ‘‘apply for and receive’’ and all that follows 
through paragraph (2) and inserting ‘‘compete for and re-
ceive funds directly from the Secretary of Agriculture.’’. 
(b) ELIMINATION OF THE GOVERNOR’S REPORT RE-
QUIREMENT FOR EXTENSION ACTIVITIES.—Section 5 of 
the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 345) is amended by strik-
ing the third sentence. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 1444(a)(2) 
of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(a)(2)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘after September 30, 1995, under 
section 3(d) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 343(d))’’ and all that 
follows through the end of the sentence and inserting 
‘‘under section 3(d) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 343(d)).’’. 
SEC. 7404. HATCH ACT OF 1887. 
(a) DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.—Section 3(d)(4) of the 
Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361c(d)(4)) is amended— 
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(1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting 
‘‘AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA’’ after ‘‘AREAS’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘and the District of Co-
lumbia’’ after ‘‘United States’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘and the District of Co-
lumbia’’ after ‘‘respectively,’’; and 
(3) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘‘or the 
District of Columbia’’ after ‘‘area’’. 
(b) ELIMINATION
OF PENALTY MAIL AUTHORI-
TIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 6 of the Hatch Act 
of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361f) is amended in the first sen-
tence by striking ‘‘under penalty indicia:’’ and all 
that follows through the end of the sentence and in-
serting a period. 
(2) CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS
IN
OTHER 
LAWS.— 
(A) NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, 
EXTENSION, AND
TEACHING
POLICY
ACT
OF 
1977.— 
(i) Section 1444(f) of the National 
Agricultural 
Research, 
Extension, 
and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3221(f)) is amended by striking ‘‘under 
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penalty indicia:’’ and all that follows 
through the end of the sentence and insert-
ing a period. 
(ii) Section 1445(e) of the National 
Agricultural 
Research, 
Extension, 
and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3222(e)) is amended by striking ‘‘under 
penalty indicia:’’ and all that follows 
through the end of the sentence and insert-
ing a period. 
(B) OTHER PROVISIONS.—Section 3202(a) 
of title 39, United States Code, is amended— 
(i) in paragraph (1)— 
(I) in subparagraph (D), by add-
ing ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(II) in subparagraph (E), by 
striking ‘‘sections; and’’ and inserting 
‘‘sections.’’; and 
(III) by striking subparagraph 
(F); 
(ii) in paragraph (2), by adding ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(iii) in paragraph (3) by striking 
‘‘thereof; and’’ and inserting ‘‘thereof.’’; 
and 
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(iv) by striking paragraph (4). 
SEC. 7405. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION RE-
SEARCH FACILITIES ACT. 
Section 6(a) of the Research Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 
390d(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting 
‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7406. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIA-
TIVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (b) of the Competitive, 
Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 
450i(b)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIA-
TIVE.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in 
the Department of Agriculture an Agriculture and 
Food Research Initiative under which the Secretary 
of Agriculture (referred to in this subsection as ‘the 
Secretary’) may make competitive grants for funda-
mental and applied research, extension, and edu-
cation to address food and agricultural sciences (as 
defined under section 1404 of the National Agricul-
tural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act 
of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)). 
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‘‘(2) PRIORITY AREAS.—The competitive grants 
program established under this subsection shall ad-
dress the following areas: 
‘‘(A) PLANT
HEALTH
AND
PRODUCTION 
AND PLANT PRODUCTS.—Plant systems, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(i) plant genome structure and func-
tion; 
‘‘(ii) molecular and cellular genetics 
and plant biotechnology; 
‘‘(iii) conventional breeding, including 
cultivar and breed development, selection 
theory, 
applied 
quantitative 
genetics, 
breeding for improved food quality, breed-
ing for improved local adaptation to biotic 
stress and abiotic stress, and participatory 
breeding; 
‘‘(iv) plant-pest interactions and bio-
control systems; 
‘‘(v) crop plant response to environ-
mental stresses; 
‘‘(vi) unproved nutrient qualities of 
plant products; and 
‘‘(vii) new food and industrial uses of 
plant products. 
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‘‘(B) ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION 
AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS.—Animal systems, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(i) aquaculture; 
‘‘(ii) cellular and molecular basis of 
animal reproduction, growth, disease, and 
health; 
‘‘(iii) animal biotechnology; 
‘‘(iv) conventional breeding, including 
breed development, selection theory, ap-
plied quantitative genetics, breeding for 
improved food quality, breeding for im-
proved local adaptation to biotic stress and 
abiotic stress, and participatory breeding; 
‘‘(v) identification of genes responsible 
for improved production traits and resist-
ance to disease; 
‘‘(vi) improved nutritional perform-
ance of animals; 
‘‘(vii) improved nutrient qualities of 
animal products and uses; and 
‘‘(viii) the development of new and im-
proved animal husbandry and production 
systems that take into account production 
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efficiency, animal well-being, and animal 
systems applicable to aquaculture. 
‘‘(C) FOOD
SAFETY, 
NUTRITION, 
AND 
HEALTH.—Nutrition, food safety and quality, 
and health, including— 
‘‘(i) microbial contaminants and pes-
ticides residue relating to human health; 
‘‘(ii) links between diet and health; 
‘‘(iii) bioavailability of nutrients; 
‘‘(iv) postharvest physiology and prac-
tices; and 
‘‘(v) improved processing technologies. 
‘‘(D) RENEWABLE ENERGY, NATURAL RE-
SOURCES, 
AND
ENVIRONMENT.—Natural re-
sources and the environment, including— 
‘‘(i) fundamental structures and func-
tions of ecosystems; 
‘‘(ii) biological and physical bases of 
sustainable production systems; 
‘‘(iii) minimizing soil and water losses 
and sustaining surface water and ground 
water quality; 
‘‘(iv) global climate effects on agri-
culture; 
‘‘(v) forestry; and 
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‘‘(vi) biological diversity. 
‘‘(E) AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS AND TECH-
NOLOGY.—Engineering, products, and proc-
esses, including— 
‘‘(i) new uses and new products from 
traditional and nontraditional crops, ani-
mals, byproducts, and natural resources; 
‘‘(ii) robotics, energy efficiency, com-
puting, and expert systems; 
‘‘(iii) new hazard and risk assessment 
and mitigation measures; and 
‘‘(iv) water quality and management. 
‘‘(F) 
AGRICULTURE
ECONOMICS
AND 
RURAL
COMMUNITIES.—Markets, trade, and 
policy, including— 
‘‘(i) strategies for entering into and 
being competitive in domestic and overseas 
markets; 
‘‘(ii) farm efficiency and profitability, 
including the viability and competitiveness 
of small and medium-sized dairy, livestock, 
crop and other commodity operations; 
‘‘(iii) new decision tools for farm and 
market systems; 
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‘‘(iv) choices and applications of tech-
nology; 
‘‘(v) technology assessment; and 
‘‘(vi) new approaches to rural develop-
ment, including rural entrepreneurship. 
‘‘(3) TERM.—The term of a competitive grant 
made under this subsection may not exceed 10 
years. 
‘‘(4) 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; 
‘‘(D) solicit and consider input from per-
sons who conduct or use agricultural research, 
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 
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‘‘(E) in seeking proposals for grants under 
this subsection and in performing peer review 
evaluations of such proposals, seek the widest 
participation of qualified individuals in the Fed-
eral Government, colleges and universities, 
State agricultural experiment stations, and the 
private sector. 
‘‘(5) ALLOCATION
OF
FUNDS.—In making 
grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall al-
locate funds to the Agriculture and Food Research 
Initiative to ensure that, of funds allocated for re-
search activities— 
‘‘(A) not less than 60 percent is made 
available to make grants for fundamental re-
search (as defined in subsection (f)(1) of sec-
tion 251 of the Department of Agriculture Re-
organization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971)), of 
which— 
‘‘(i) not less than 30 percent is made 
available to make grants for research to be 
conducted by multidisciplinary teams; and 
‘‘(ii) not more than 2 percent is used 
for equipment grants under paragraph 
(6)(A); and 
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‘‘(B) not less than 40 percent is made 
available to make grants for applied research 
(as defined in subsection (f)(1) of section 251 
of the Department of Agriculture Reorganiza-
tion Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971)). 
‘‘(6) SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS.—In making 
grants under this subsection, the Secretary may as-
sist in the development of capabilities in the agricul-
tural, food, and environmental sciences by providing 
grants— 
‘‘(A) to an institution to allow for the im-
provement of the research, development, tech-
nology transfer, and education capacity of the 
institution through the acquisition of special re-
search equipment and the improvement of agri-
cultural education and teaching, except that the 
Secretary shall use not less than 25 percent of 
the funds made available for grants under this 
subparagraph to provide fellowships to out-
standing pre- and post-doctoral students for re-
search in the agricultural sciences; 
‘‘(B) to a single investigator or coinvestiga-
tors who are beginning research careers and do 
not have an extensive research publication 
record, except that, to be eligible for a grant 
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under this subparagraph, an individual shall be 
within 5 years of the beginning of the initial ca-
reer track position of the individual; 
‘‘(C) to ensure that the faculty of small, 
mid-sized, and minority-serving institutions who 
have not previously been successful in obtaining 
competitive grants under this subsection receive 
a portion of the grants; and 
‘‘(D) to improve research, extension, and 
education capabilities in States (as defined in 
section 1404 of the National Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) in which institutions 
have been less successful in receiving funding 
under this subsection, based on a 3-year rolling 
average of funding levels. 
‘‘(7) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—The Secretary may 
make grants to carry out research, extension, and 
education under this subsection to— 
‘‘(A) State agricultural experiment sta-
tions; 
‘‘(B) colleges and universities; 
‘‘(C) university research foundations; 
‘‘(D) other research institutions and orga-
nizations; 
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‘‘(E) Federal agencies; 
‘‘(F) national laboratories; 
‘‘(G) private organizations or corporations; 
‘‘(H) individuals; or 
‘‘(I) any group consisting of 2 or more of 
the entities described in subparagraphs (A) 
through (H). 
‘‘(8) 
CONSTRUCTION
PROHIBITED.—Funds 
made available for grants under this subsection shall 
not be used for the construction of a new building 
or facility or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, 
or alteration of an existing building or facility (in-
cluding site grading and improvement, and architect 
fees). 
‘‘(9) MATCHING FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) EQUIPMENT GRANTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as pro-
vided in clause (ii), in the case of a grant 
made under paragraph (6)(A), the amount 
provided under this subsection may not ex-
ceed 50 percent of the cost of the special 
research equipment or other equipment ac-
quired using funds from the grant. 
‘‘(ii) WAIVER.—The Secretary may 
waive all or part of the matching require-
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ment under clause (i) in the case of a col-
lege, university, or research foundation 
maintained by a college or university that 
ranks in the lowest 1⁄3 of such colleges, 
universities, and research foundations on 
the basis of Federal research funds re-
ceived, if the equipment to be acquired 
using funds from the grant costs not more 
than $25,000 and has multiple uses within 
a single research project or is usable in 
more than 1 research project. 
‘‘(B) APPLIED RESEARCH.—As a condition 
of making a grant under paragraph (5)(B), the 
Secretary shall require the funding of the grant 
to be matched with equal matching funds from 
a non-Federal source if the grant is for applied 
research that is— 
‘‘(i) commodity-specific; and 
‘‘(ii) not of national scope. 
‘‘(10) PROGRAM
ADMINISTRATION.—To the 
maximum extent practicable, the Director of the Na-
tional Institute of Food and Agriculture, in coordi-
nation with the Under Secretary for Research, Edu-
cation, and Economics, shall allocate grants under 
this subsection to high-priority research, taking into 
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959 
consideration, when available, the determinations 
made by the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, Education, and Economics Advisory Board (as 
established under section 1408 of the National Agri-
cultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123)). 
‘‘(11) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out this subsection 
$700,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 
through 2012, of which— 
‘‘(i) not less than 30 percent shall be 
made available for integrated research pur-
suant to section 406 of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Re-
form Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626); and 
‘‘(ii) not more than 4 percent may be 
retained by the Secretary to pay adminis-
trative costs incurred by the Secretary in 
carrying out this subsection. 
‘‘(B) AVAILABILITY.—Funds made avail-
able under this paragraph shall— 
‘‘(i) be available for obligation for a 2- 
year period beginning on October 1 of the 
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fiscal year for which the funds are first 
made available; and 
‘‘(ii) remain available until expended 
to pay for obligations incurred during that 
2-year period.’’. 
(b) REPEALS.— 
(1) Section 401 of the Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
U.S.C. 7621) is repealed. 
(2) Subsection (d) of the Competitive, Special, 
and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 
450i(d)) is repealed. 
(c) EFFECT
ON CURRENT SOLICITATIONS.—The 
amendments made by this section shall not apply to any 
solicitation for grant applications issued by the Coopera-
tive State Research, Education, and Extension Service be-
fore the date of enactment of this Act. 
(d) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 1473 of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319) is amended in the first sen-
tence by striking ‘‘and subsection (d)’’. 
(2) Section 1671(d) of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
5924(d) is amended by striking ‘‘Paragraphs (1), 
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(6), (7), and (11)’’ and inserting ‘‘Paragraphs (4), 
(7), (8), and (11)(B)’’. 
(3) Section 1672B(b) of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
5925b(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘Paragraphs (1), 
(6), (7), and (11)’’ and inserting ‘‘Paragraphs (4), 
(7), (8), and (11)(B)’’. 
SEC. 7407. AGRICULTURAL RISK PROTECTION ACT OF 2000. 
Section 221 of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act 
of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 6711(g)) is amended by striking sub-
section (g) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 7408. EXCHANGE OR SALE AUTHORITY. 
Title III of the Department of Agriculture Reorga-
nization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103–354; 108 Stat. 
3238) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 307. EXCHANGE OR SALE AUTHORITY. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF QUALIFIED ITEM OF PERSONAL 
PROPERTY.—In this section, the term ‘qualified item of 
personal property’ means— 
‘‘(1) an animal; 
‘‘(2) an animal product; 
‘‘(3) a plant; or 
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‘‘(4) a plant product. 
‘‘(b) GENERAL AUTHORITY.—Except as provided in 
subsection (c), notwithstanding chapter 5 of subtitle I of 
title 40, United States Code, the Secretary, acting through 
the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Eco-
nomics, in managing personal property for the purpose of 
carrying out the research functions of the Department, 
may exchange, sell, or otherwise dispose of any qualified 
item of personal property, including by way of public auc-
tion, and may retain and apply the sale or other proceeds, 
without further appropriation and without fiscal year limi-
tation, in whole or in partial payment— 
‘‘(1) to acquire any qualified item of personal 
property; or 
‘‘(2) to offset costs related to the maintenance, 
care, or feeding of any qualified item of personal 
property. 
‘‘(c) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (b) does not apply to 
the free dissemination of new varieties of seeds and 
germplasm in accordance with section 520 of the Revised 
Statutes (commonly known as the ‘Department of Agri-
culture Organic Act’) (7 U.S.C. 2201).’’. 
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SEC. 7409. ENHANCED USE LEASE AUTHORITY PILOT PRO-
GRAM. 
Title III of the Department of Agriculture Reorga-
nization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103–354; 108 Stat. 
3238) (as amended by section 7408) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 308. ENHANCED USE LEASE AUTHORITY PILOT PRO-
GRAM. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—To enhance the use of real 
property administered by agencies of the Department, the 
Secretary may establish a pilot program, in accordance 
with this section, at the Beltsville Agricultural Research 
Center of the Agricultural Research Service and the Na-
tional Agricultural Library to lease nonexcess property of 
the Center or the Library to any individual or entity, in-
cluding agencies or instrumentalities of State or local gov-
ernments. 
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding chapter 5 
of subtitle I of title 40, United States Code, the Sec-
retary may lease real property at the Beltsville Agri-
cultural Research Center or the National Agricul-
tural Library in accordance with such terms and 
conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, if the 
Secretary determines that the lease— 
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‘‘(A) is consistent with, and will not ad-
versely affect, the mission of the Department 
agency administering the property; 
‘‘(B) will enhance the use of the property; 
‘‘(C) will not permit any portion of Depart-
ment agency property or any facility of the De-
partment to be used for the public retail or 
wholesale sale of merchandise or residential de-
velopment; 
‘‘(D) will not permit the construction or 
modification of facilities financed by non-Fed-
eral sources to be used by an agency, except for 
incidental use; and 
‘‘(E) will not include any property or facil-
ity required for any Department agency pur-
pose without prior consideration of the needs of 
the agency. 
‘‘(2) TERM.—The term of a lease under this 
section shall not exceed 30 years. 
‘‘(3) CONSIDERATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Consideration pro-
vided for a lease under this section shall be— 
‘‘(i) in an amount equal to fair mar-
ket value, as determined by the Secretary; 
and 
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‘‘(ii) in the form of cash. 
‘‘(B) USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Consideration pro-
vided for a lease under this section shall 
be— 
‘‘(I) deposited in a capital asset 
account to be established by the Sec-
retary; and 
‘‘(II) available until expended, 
without further appropriation, for 
maintenance, 
capital 
revitalization, 
and improvements of the Department 
properties and facilities at the Belts-
ville Agricultural Research Center and 
National Agricultural Library. 
‘‘(ii) BUDGETARY
TREATMENT.—For 
purposes of the budget, the amounts de-
scribed in clause (i) shall not be treated as 
a receipt of any Department agency or any 
other agency leasing property under this 
section. 
‘‘(4) COSTS.—The lessee shall cover all costs 
associated with a lease under this section, including 
the cost of— 
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‘‘(A) the project to be carried out on prop-
erty or at a facility covered by the lease; 
‘‘(B) provision and administration of the 
lease; 
‘‘(C) construction of any needed facilities; 
‘‘(D) provision of applicable utilities; and 
‘‘(E) any other facility cost normally asso-
ciated with the operation of a leased facility. 
‘‘(5) PROHIBITION
OF
USE
OF
APPROPRIA-
TIONS.—The Secretary shall not use any funds made 
available to the Secretary in an appropriations Act 
for the construction or operating costs of any space 
covered by a lease under this section. 
‘‘(6) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—This sec-
tion and the authority provided by this section ter-
minate— 
‘‘(A) on the date that is 5 years after the 
date of enactment of this section; or 
‘‘(B) with respect to any particular leased 
property, on the date of termination of the 
lease. 
‘‘(c) EFFECT OF OTHER LAWS.— 
‘‘(1) UTILIZATION.—Property that is leased 
pursuant to this section shall not be considered to 
be unutilized or underutilized for purposes of section 
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501 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assist-
ance Act (42 U.S.C. 11411). 
‘‘(2) DISPOSAL.—Property at the Beltsville Ag-
ricultural Research Center or the National Agricul-
tural Library that is leased pursuant to this section 
shall not be considered to be disposed of by sale, 
lease, rental, excessing, or surplusing for purposes of 
section 523 of Public Law 100–202 (101 Stat. 
1329-417). 
‘‘(d) ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this section, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Sen-
ate a report that describes detailed management ob-
jectives and performance measurements by which 
the Secretary intends to evaluate the success of the 
program under this section. 
‘‘(2) REPORTS.—Not later than 1, 3, and 5 
years after the date of enactment of this section, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
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of the Senate a report describing the implementation 
of the program under this section, including— 
‘‘(A) a copy of each lease entered into pur-
suant to this section; and 
‘‘(B) an assessment by the Secretary of the 
success of the program using the management 
objectives and performance measurements de-
veloped by the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 7410. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER DEVELOP-
MENT PROGRAM. 
(a) GRANTS.—Section 7405(c) of the Farm Security 
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f(c)) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(3) MAXIMUM TERM AND SIZE OF GRANT.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—A grant under this 
subsection shall— 
‘‘(i) have a term that is not more than 
3 years; and 
‘‘(ii) be in an amount that is not more 
than $250,000 for each year. 
‘‘(B) CONSECUTIVE GRANTS.—An eligible 
recipient may receive consecutive grants under 
this subsection.’’; 
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(2) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through 
(7) as paragraphs (8) through (10), respectively; 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(5) 
EVALUATION
CRITERIA.—In 
making 
grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
evaluate— 
‘‘(A) relevancy; 
‘‘(B) technical merit; 
‘‘(C) achievability; 
‘‘(D) the expertise and track record of 1 or 
more applicants; 
‘‘(E) the adequacy of plans for the 
participatory evaluation process, outcome-based 
reporting, and the communication of findings 
and results beyond the immediate target audi-
ence; and 
‘‘(F) other appropriate factors, as deter-
mined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(6) REGIONAL BALANCE.—In making grants 
under this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the 
maximum extent practicable, ensure geographical di-
versity. 
‘‘(7) PRIORITY.—In making grants under this 
subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to part-
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nerships and collaborations that are led by or in-
clude nongovernmental and community-based organi-
zations with expertise in new agricultural producer 
training and outreach.’’. 
(b) FUNDING.—Section 7405 of the Farm Security 
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f) is 
amended by striking subsection (h) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(h) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the funds of the Com-
modity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make 
available to carry out this section— 
‘‘(A) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and 
‘‘(B) $19,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2010 through 2012. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In 
addition to funds provided under paragraph (1), 
there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this section $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2008 through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 7411. PUBLIC EDUCATION REGARDING USE OF BIO-
TECHNOLOGY IN PRODUCING FOOD FOR 
HUMAN CONSUMPTION. 
Section 10802 of the Farm Security and Rural In-
vestment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 5921a) is repealed. 
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SEC. 7412. MCINTIRE-STENNIS COOPERATIVE FORESTRY 
ACT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2 of Public Law 87–788 
(commonly known as the ‘‘McIntire-Stennis Cooperative 
Forestry Act’’) (16 U.S.C. 582a–1) is amended by insert-
ing ‘‘and 1890 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of the 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform 
Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)),’’ before ‘‘and (b)’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) takes effect on October 1, 2008. 
SEC. 7413. RENEWABLE RESOURCES EXTENSION ACT OF 
1978. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
6 of the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 (16 
U.S.C. 1675) is amended in the first sentence by striking 
‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(b) TERMINATION DATE.—Section 8 of the Renew-
able Resources Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1671 
note; Public Law 95–306) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7414. NATIONAL AQUACULTURE ACT OF 1980. 
Section 10 of the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 
(16 U.S.C. 2809) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
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SEC. 7415. CONSTRUCTION OF CHINESE GARDEN AT THE 
NATIONAL ARBORETUM. 
The Act of March 4, 1927 (20 U.S.C. 191 et seq.), 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 7. CONSTRUCTION OF CHINESE GARDEN AT THE NA-
TIONAL ARBORETUM. 
‘‘A Chinese Garden may be constructed at the Na-
tional Arboretum established under this Act with— 
‘‘(1) funds accepted under section 5; 
‘‘(2) authorities provided to the Secretary of 
Agriculture under section 6; and 
‘‘(3) appropriations provided for this purpose.’’. 
SEC. 7416. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTEN-
SION, AND TEACHING POLICY ACT AMEND-
MENTS OF 1985. 
Section 1431 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 
(Public Law 99–198; 99 Stat. 1556) is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7417. ELIGIBILITY OF UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT 
OF COLUMBIA FOR CERTAIN LAND-GRANT 
UNIVERSITY ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 208 of the District of Co-
lumbia Public Postsecondary Education Reorganization 
Act (Public Law 93–471; 88 Stat. 1428) is amended— 
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(1) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ‘‘, except’’ 
and all that follows through the period and inserting 
a period; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘section 3’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘section 3(c)’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘Such sums may be used 
to pay’’ and all that follows through ‘‘work.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section take effect on October 1, 2008. 
Subtitle E—Miscellaneous 
PART I—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 7501. DEFINITIONS. 
Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, in this 
subtitle: 
(1) CAPACITY
AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
PRO-
GRAM.—The term ‘‘capacity and infrastructure pro-
gram’’ has the meaning given the term in subsection 
(f)(1) of section 251 of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) 
(as added by section 7511(a)(4)). 
(2) CAPACITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM 
CRITICAL BASE FUNDING.—The term ‘‘capacity and 
infrastructure program critical base funding’’ means 
the aggregate amount of Federal funds made avail-
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able for capacity and infrastructure programs for 
fiscal year 2006, as appropriate. 
(3) COMPETITIVE PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘com-
petitive program’’ has the meaning given the term in 
subsection (f)(1) of section 251 of the Department 
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6971) (as added by section 7511(a)(4)). 
(4) COMPETITIVE
PROGRAM
CRITICAL
BASE 
FUNDING.—The term ‘‘competitive program critical 
base funding’’ means the aggregate amount of Fed-
eral funds made available for competitive programs 
for fiscal year 2006, as appropriate. 
(5) HISPANIC-SERVING
AGRICULTURAL
COL-
LEGES
AND
UNIVERSITIES.—The term ‘‘Hispanic- 
serving agricultural colleges and universities’’ has 
the meaning given the term in section 1404 of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103). 
(6) NLGCA INSTITUTION.—The term ‘‘NLGCA 
Institution’’ has the meaning given the term in sec-
tion 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3103). 
(7) 1862 INSTITUTION; 1890 INSTITUTION; 1994 
INSTITUTION.—The 
terms 
‘‘1862 
Institution’’, 
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‘‘1890 Institution’’, and ‘‘1994 Institution’’ have the 
meanings given the terms in section 2 of the Agri-
cultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform 
Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601). 
SEC. 7502. GRAZINGLANDS RESEARCH LABORATORY. 
Except as otherwise specifically authorized by law 
and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Fed-
eral land and facilities at El Reno, Oklahoma, adminis-
tered by the Secretary (as of the date of enactment of this 
Act) as the Grazinglands Research Laboratory, shall not 
at any time, in whole or in part, be declared to be excess 
or surplus Federal property under chapter 5 of subtitle 
I of title 40, United States Code, or otherwise be conveyed 
or transferred in whole or in part, for the 5-year period 
beginning on the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 7503. FORT RENO SCIENCE PARK RESEARCH FACIL-
ITY. 
The Secretary may lease land to the University of 
Oklahoma at the Grazinglands Research Laboratory at El 
Reno, Oklahoma, on such terms and conditions as the 
University and the Secretary may agree in furtherance of 
cooperative research and existing easement arrangements. 
SEC. 7504. ROADMAP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting 
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through the Under Secretary of Research, Education, and 
Economics (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Under Sec-
retary’’), shall commence preparation of a roadmap for ag-
ricultural research, education, and extension that— 
(1) identifies current trends and constraints; 
(2) identifies major opportunities and gaps that 
no single entity within the Department of Agri-
culture would be able to address individually; 
(3) involves— 
(A) interested parties from the Federal 
Government and nongovernmental entities; and 
(B) the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory 
Board established under section 1408 of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123); 
(4) incorporates roadmaps for agricultural re-
search, education, and extension made publicly avail-
able by other Federal entities, agencies, or offices; 
and 
(5) describes recommended funding levels for 
areas of agricultural research, education, and exten-
sion, including— 
(A) competitive programs; 
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(B) capacity and infrastructure programs, 
with attention to the future growth needs of— 
(i) small 1862 Institutions, 1890 In-
stitutions, and 1994 Institutions; 
(ii) Hispanic-serving agricultural col-
leges and universities; 
(iii) NLGCA Institutions; and 
(iv) colleges of veterinary medicine; 
and 
(C) intramural programs at agencies with-
in the research, education, and economics mis-
sion area; and 
(6) describes how organizational changes en-
acted by this Act have impacted agricultural re-
search, extension, and education across the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, including minimization of un-
necessary programmatic and administrative duplica-
tion. 
(b) REVIEWABILITY.—The roadmap described in this 
section shall not be subject to review by any officer or em-
ployee of the Federal Government other than the Sec-
retary (or a designee of the Secretary). 
(c) ROADMAP IMPLEMENTATION AND REPORT.—Not 
later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary 
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commences preparation of the roadmap under this section, 
the Secretary shall— 
(1) implement and use the roadmap to set the 
research, education, and extension agenda of the De-
partment of Agriculture; and 
(2) make the roadmap available to the public. 
SEC. 7505. REVIEW OF PLAN OF WORK REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) REVIEW.—The Secretary shall work with univer-
sity partners in extension and research to review and iden-
tify measures to streamline the submission, reporting 
under, and implementation of plan of work requirements, 
including those requirements under— 
(1) sections 1444(d) and 1445(c) of the Na-
tional Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teach-
ing Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(d) and 
3222(c), respectively); 
(2) section 7 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 
U.S.C. 361g); and 
(3) section 4 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 
344). 
(b) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the review and 
formulating and compiling the recommendations, the Sec-
retary shall consult with the land-grant institutions. 
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SEC. 7506. BUDGET SUBMISSION AND FUNDING. 
(a) DEFINITION OF COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS.—In 
this section, the term ‘‘competitive programs’’ includes 
only competitive programs for which annual appropria-
tions are requested in the annual budget submission of 
the President. 
(b) BUDGET REQUEST.—The President shall submit 
to Congress, together with the annual budget submission 
of the President, a single budget line item reflecting the 
total amount requested by the President for funding for 
research, education, and extension activities of the Re-
search, Education, and Economics mission area of the De-
partment for that fiscal year and for the preceding 5 fiscal 
years. 
(c) CAPACITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM RE-
QUEST.—Of the funds requested for capacity and infra-
structure programs in excess of the capacity and infra-
structure program critical base funding level, budgetary 
emphasis should be placed on enhancing funding for— 
(1) 1890 Institutions; 
(2) 1994 Institutions; 
(3) NLGCA Institutions; 
(4) Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and 
universities; and 
(5) small 1862 Institutions. 
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(d) COMPETITIVE
PROGRAM
REQUEST.—Of the 
funds requested for competitive programs in excess of the 
competitive program critical base funding level, budgetary 
emphasis should be placed on— 
(1) enhancing funding for emerging problems; 
and 
(2) finding solutions for those problems. 
PART II—RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND 
ECONOMICS 
SEC. 7511. RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 251 of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘(referred to 
in this section as the ‘Under Secretary’)’’ before the 
period at the end; 
(2) by striking subsections (b) through (d); 
(3) by redesignating subsection (e) as sub-
section (g); and 
(4) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) CONFIRMATION REQUIRED.—The Under Sec-
retary shall be appointed by the President, by and with 
the advice and consent of the Senate, from among distin-
guished scientists with specialized training or significant 
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experience in agricultural research, education, and eco-
nomics. 
‘‘(c) CHIEF
SCIENTIST.—The Under Secretary 
shall— 
‘‘(1) hold the title of Chief Scientist of the De-
partment; and 
‘‘(2) be responsible for the coordination of the 
research, education, and extension activities of the 
Department. 
‘‘(d) FUNCTIONS OF UNDER SECRETARY.— 
‘‘(1) PRINCIPAL
FUNCTION.—The Secretary 
shall delegate to the Under Secretary those func-
tions and duties under the jurisdiction of the De-
partment that relate to research, education, and eco-
nomics. 
‘‘(2) SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES.—The 
Under Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) identify, address, and prioritize cur-
rent and emerging agricultural research, edu-
cation, and extension needs (including funding); 
‘‘(B) ensure that agricultural research, 
education, and extension programs are effec-
tively coordinated and integrated— 
‘‘(i) across disciplines, agencies, and 
institutions; and 
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‘‘(ii) among applicable participants, 
grantees, and beneficiaries; 
‘‘(C) promote the collaborative use of all 
agricultural research, education, and extension 
resources from the local, State, tribal, regional, 
national, and international levels to address pri-
ority needs; and 
‘‘(D) foster communication among agricul-
tural research, education, and extension bene-
ficiaries, including the public, to ensure the de-
livery of agricultural research, education, and 
extension knowledge. 
‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL
FUNCTIONS.—The Under 
Secretary shall perform such other functions and du-
ties as may be required by law or prescribed by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(e) RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION OF-
FICE.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Under Secretary 
shall organize within the office of the Under Sec-
retary 6 Divisions, to be known collectively as the 
‘Research, Education, and Extension Office’, which 
shall coordinate the research programs and activities 
of the Department. 
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‘‘(2) DIVISION DESIGNATIONS.—The Divisions 
within the Research, Education, and Extension Of-
fice shall be as follows: 
‘‘(A) Renewable energy, natural resources, 
and environment. 
‘‘(B) Food safety, nutrition, and health. 
‘‘(C) Plant health and production and 
plant products. 
‘‘(D) Animal health and production and 
animal products. 
‘‘(E) Agricultural systems and technology. 
‘‘(F) Agricultural economics and rural 
communities. 
‘‘(3) DIVISION CHIEFS.— 
‘‘(A) SELECTION.—The Under Secretary 
shall select a Division Chief for each Division 
using available personnel authority under title 
5, United States Code, including— 
‘‘(i) by term, temporary, or other ap-
pointment, without regard to— 
‘‘(I) the provisions of title 5, 
United States Code, governing ap-
pointments in the competitive service; 
‘‘(II) the provisions of subchapter 
I of chapter 35 of title 5, United 
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States Code, relating to retention 
preference; and 
‘‘(III) the provisions of chapter 
51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 
of title 5, United States Code, relating 
to classification and General Schedule 
pay rates; 
‘‘(ii) by detail, notwithstanding any 
Act making appropriations for the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, whether enacted be-
fore, on, or after the date of enactment of 
this paragraph, requiring reimbursement 
for those details unless the appropriation 
Act specifically refers to this subsection 
and specifically includes these details; 
‘‘(iii) by reassignment or transfer 
from any other civil service position; and 
‘‘(iv) by an assignment under sub-
chapter VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
‘‘(B) SELECTION
GUIDELINES.—To the 
maximum extent practicable, the Under Sec-
retary shall select Division Chiefs under sub-
paragraph (A) in a manner that— 
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‘‘(i) promotes leadership and profes-
sional development; 
‘‘(ii) enables personnel to interact 
with other agencies of the Department; 
and 
‘‘(iii) maximizes the ability of the 
Under Secretary to allow for rotations of 
Department personnel into the position of 
Division Chief. 
‘‘(C) TERM OF SERVICE.—Notwithstanding 
title 5, United States Code, the maximum 
length of service for an individual selected as a 
Division Chief under subparagraph (A) shall 
not exceed 4 years. 
‘‘(D) QUALIFICATIONS.—To be eligible for 
selection as a Division Chief, an individual shall 
have— 
‘‘(i) conducted exemplary research, 
education, or extension in the field of agri-
culture or forestry; and 
‘‘(ii) earned an advanced degree at an 
institution of higher education (as defined 
in section 101 of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)). 
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‘‘(E) DUTIES OF DIVISION CHIEFS.—Ex-
cept as otherwise provided in this Act, each Di-
vision Chief shall— 
‘‘(i) assist the Under Secretary in 
identifying and addressing emerging agri-
cultural research, education, and extension 
needs; 
‘‘(ii) assist the Under Secretary in 
identifying and prioritizing Department- 
wide agricultural research, education, and 
extension needs, including funding; 
‘‘(iii) assess the strategic workforce 
needs of the research, education, and ex-
tension functions of the Department, and 
develop strategic workforce plans to ensure 
that existing and future workforce needs 
are met; 
‘‘(iv) communicate with research, edu-
cation, and extension beneficiaries, includ-
ing the public, and representatives of the 
research, education, and extension system, 
including the National Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, Education, and Eco-
nomics Advisory Board, to promote the 
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cultural Research, Extension, and Teach-
ing Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152(j)). 
‘‘(vi) The program providing grants 
for Hispanic-serving institutions estab-
lished under section 1455 of the National 
Agricultural 
Research, 
Extension, 
and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3241). 
‘‘(vii) The program providing competi-
tive grants for international agricultural 
science and education programs under sec-
tion 1459A of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3292b). 
‘‘(viii) The research and extension 
projects carried out under section 1621 of 
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5811). 
‘‘(ix) The organic agriculture research 
and extension initiative established under 
section 1672B of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 
U.S.C. 5925b). 
‘‘(x) The specialty crop research ini-
tiative under section 412 of the Agricul-
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2105(g)(2)(A)(viii)) is amended by striking ‘‘Exten-
sion Service’’ and inserting ‘‘National Institute of 
Food and Agriculture’’. 
(37) Section 19(b)(1)(B)(i) of the Cooperative 
Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 
2113(b)(1)(B)(i)) is amended by striking ‘‘Extension 
Service’’ and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food 
and Agriculture’’. 
(38) Section 1261(c)(4) of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3861(c)(4)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘Extension Service’’ and inserting ‘‘Na-
tional Institute of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(39) Section 105(a) of the Africa: Seeds of 
Hope Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 2293 note; Public Law 
105–385) is amended by striking ‘‘the Cooperative 
State, Research, Education, and Extension Service 
(CSREES)’’ and inserting ‘‘the National Institute of 
Food and Agriculture’’. 
(40) Section 307(a)(4) of the National Aero-
nautic and Space Administration Authorization Act 
of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16657(a)(4)) is amended by 
striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(B) the program and structure of, peer 
review process of, management of conflicts of 
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