I
105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 725
To amend the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act to
provide increased emphasis on competitive grants to promote agricultural
research projects regarding precision agriculture and to provide for the
dissemination of the results of such research projects.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 12, 1997
Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky (for himself, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. BUNNING, Mr.
NETHERCUTT, 
Mr. 
CHAMBLISS, 
Mr. 
CANADY
of 
Florida, 
Mr.
HOSTETTLER, Mr. LAHOOD, Mr. LATHAM, Mr. HEFNER, Mr. LEACH,
Mr. HOLDEN, Mrs. CHENOWETH, Mr. EWING, Mr. BARRETT of Ne-
braska, Mr. NEY, Mr. EVANS, Mr. POSHARD, and Mr. PASTOR) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agri-
culture
A BILL
To amend the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research
Grant Act to provide increased emphasis on competitive
grants to promote agricultural research projects regard-
ing precision agriculture and to provide for the dissemi-
nation of the results of such research projects.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Precision Agriculture
Research, Education, and Information Dissemination Act
of 1997’’.
SEC. 2. EMPHASIS ON COMPETITIVE GRANTS TO PROMOTE
PRECISION AGRICULTURE.
(a) PROMOTION OF PRECISION AGRICULTURE.—Sub-
section (k) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Re-
search Grant Act (section 2 of Public Law 89–106; 7
U.S.C. 450i) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(k) EMPHASIS ON PRECISION AGRICULTURE.—
‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this sec-
tion:
‘‘(A) PRECISION AGRICULTURE.—The term
‘precision agriculture’ means an integrated
information- and production-based farming sys-
tem that is designed to increase long-term, site
specific and whole farm production efficiencies,
productivity, and profitability while minimizing
unintended impacts on wildlife and the environ-
ment by—
‘‘(i) combining agricultural sciences,
agricultural inputs and practices, agro-
nomic production databases, and precision
agriculture technologies to efficiently man-
age agronomic systems;
‘‘(ii) gathering on-farm information
pertaining to the variation and interaction
of site-specific spatial and temporal factors
affecting crop production;
‘‘(iii) integrating such information
with appropriate data derived from remote
sensing and other precision agriculture
technologies in a timely manner in order to
facilitate on-farm decisionmaking; and
‘‘(iv) using such information to pre-
scribe and deliver site-specific application
of agricultural inputs and management
practices in agricultural production sys-
tems.
‘‘(B) 
PRECISION
AGRICULTURE
TECH-
NOLOGIES.—The term ‘precision agriculture
technologies’ includes—
‘‘(i) instrumentation and techniques
ranging from sophisticated sensors and
software systems to manual sampling and
data collection tools that measure, record,
and manage spatial and temporal data;
‘‘(ii) technologies for searching out
and assembling information necessary for
sound agricultural production decision
making;
‘‘(iii) open systems technologies for
data networking and processing that
produce valued systems for farm manage-
ment decisionmaking, including high band-
width networks, distributed processing,
spatial databasing, object technology, glob-
al positioning systems, data modeling, high
performance image processing, high resolu-
tion 
satellite 
imagery, 
digital
orthophotogrammetry 
simulation, 
geo-
graphic information systems, computer
aided design, and digital cartography; and
‘‘(iv) machines that deliver informa-
tion based management practices, includ-
ing global positioning satellites, digital
field mapping, on-the-go yield monitoring,
automated pest scouting, and site-specific
agricultural input application to accom-
plish the objectives of precision agriculture.
‘‘(C) ADVISORY BOARD.—The term ‘advi-
sory board’ means the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, Education, and Econom-
ics Advisory Board established under section
1408 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3123).
‘‘(D) AGRICULTURAL INPUTS.—The term
‘agricultural inputs’ includes all farm manage-
ment, agronomic, and field applied agricultural
production inputs, such as machinery, labor,
time, fuel, irrigation water, commercial nutri-
ents, livestock waste, crop protection chemicals,
agronomic data and information, application
and management services, seed, and other in-
puts used in agriculture production.
‘‘(E) SYSTEMS RESEARCH.—The term ‘sys-
tems research’ means an integrated, coordi-
nated, and iterative investigative process, which
considers the multiple interacting components
and aspects of precision agriculture systems, in-
cluding synthesis of new knowledge regarding
the physical-chemical-biological processes and
complex interactions with cropping and natural
resource systems, precision agriculture tech-
nologies development and implementation, data
and information collection and interpretation,
production scale planning, production-scale im-
plementation, and farm production efficiencies,
productivity, and profitability.
‘‘(2) EMPHASIS
ON
RESEARCH, EDUCATION,
AND
INFORMATION
DISSEMINATION
GRANTS.—The
Secretary of Agriculture, in collaboration with the
advisory board, shall ensure that research, edu-
cation, and information dissemination grants made
under subsections (b) are, where appropriate, con-
sistent with the development and promotion of preci-
sion agriculture. Research, education, and informa-
tion dissemination projects supported by such grants
and designed to develop and demonstrate precision
agriculture shall address one or more of the follow-
ing:
‘‘(A) The study and promotion of compo-
nents of precision agriculture technologies using
a systems research approach that would in-
crease long-term, site-specified and whole farm
production efficiencies, productivity, profit-
ability.
‘‘(B) The improvement in the understand-
ing of agronomic systems, including, soil, water,
land cover, and meteorological variability.
‘‘(C) The development, demonstration, and
dissemination of information regarding preci-
sion agriculture technologies and systems into
an integrated program.
‘‘(D) The promotion of systems research
and education projects focusing on the integra-
tion of the multiple aspects of precision agri-
culture, including development, production-scale
implementation, and farm production effi-
ciencies, productivity, and profitability.
‘‘(E) The education of agricultural produc-
ers and consumers regarding the benefits of
precision agriculture as it relates to increased
long-term farm production efficiencies, produc-
tivity, profitability, as well as the maintenance
of the environment and improvements in inter-
national trade.
‘‘(F) The provision of training and edu-
cational programs for State cooperative exten-
sion services agents, agricultural producers, ag-
ricultural input machinery, product, and service
providers, certified crop advisers and other pro-
fessionals involved in the agricultural produc-
tion and transfer of integrated precision agri-
culture technology.
‘‘(3) PRIORITIES FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATION,
AND
INFORMATION
DISSEMINATION
GRANTS.—In
making grants to eligible entities under subsection
(b) regarding precision agriculture, the Secretary, in
collaboration with the advisory board, shall give pri-
ority to research, education, and information dis-
semination projects that are designed to accomplish
the following:
‘‘(A) The use of precision agriculture tech-
nologies and a systems research approach to in-
crease long-term site-specific and whole farm
production efficiencies, productivity, profit-
ability.
‘‘(B) The integration of research, edu-
cation, and information dissemination compo-
nents in a practical and readily available man-
ner so that the findings of the project will be
made readily usable by farmers.
‘‘(C) The promotion of the efficient use of
agricultural inputs, rather than the uniform re-
duction in the use of agricultural inputs.
‘‘(D) The maximization of the involvement
and cooperation of precision agriculture produc-
ers, certified crop advisers, State cooperative
extension services agents, and agricultural input
machinery, product and service providers in
precision agriculture systems research projects
involving on-farm research, education, and in-
formation dissemination of precision agri-
culture.
‘‘(E) The cooperation among farms that
are managed using precision agriculture farm
production practices, nonprofit organizations,
agribusiness, 
agricultural 
input 
machinery,
product, and service providers, land-grant col-
leges and universities, the State cooperative ex-
tension services, and Government agencies (in-
cluding National laboratories).
‘‘(F) The benefits of precision agriculture
in relationship to global food production, reduc-
ing world hunger, world population trends, and
efforts to maintain and enhance the environ-
ment.
‘‘(G) The diversity of United States agri-
cultural production, including production on
family owned and operated farms, large acreage
farms, small acreage farms, and mixed crop,
specialty crop, commodity crop, and livestock
operations.
‘‘(H) The maximization of collaboration
with multiple agencies and other partners that
include leveraging of funds and resources.
‘‘(4) EDUCATION AND INFORMATION DISSEMI-
NATION.—
‘‘(A) 
RESERVATION
OF
FUNDS
FOR
PROJECTS.—Of the funds allocated for competi-
tive research grants under subsection (b) relat-
ed to precision agriculture, the Secretary shall
reserve a portion of such funds for education
and information dissemination projects regard-
ing precision agriculture.
‘‘(B) COMPLIANCE WITH PRIORITIES FOR
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION.—In the dissemi-
nation of information derived from research
projects regarding precision agriculture that are
supported by grants made under subsection (b),
the Secretary shall ensure that both employees
of the Department of Agriculture and grant re-
cipients comply with the priorities specified in
paragraph (3).
‘‘(5) 
PRECISION
AGRICULTURE
PARTNER-
SHIPS.—
‘‘(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—For the purposes
of this section, the Secretary, in collaboration
with the advisory board, shall encourage the es-
tablishment of appropriate multi-state and na-
tional partnerships or consortia between—
‘‘(i) land-grant colleges and univer-
sities, State Agricultural Experiment Sta-
tions, State cooperative extension services,
other colleges and universities with demon-
strable expertise regarding precision agri-
culture, agencies of the Department of Ag-
riculture, 
National 
laboratories, 
agri-
businesses, agricultural equipment and
input manufacturers and retailers, certified
crop advisers, commodity organizations,
other Federal or State government entities
and agencies, and non-agricultural indus-
tries and nonprofit organizations with de-
monstrable expertise regarding precision
agriculture; and
‘‘(ii) the persons and entities de-
scribed in clause (i) and agricultural pro-
ducers and other land managers.
‘‘(B) PARTNERSHIP
BETWEEN
NATIONAL
LABORATORIES
AND
DEPARTMENT
OF
AGRI-
CULTURE.—The partnerships established pursu-
ant to this paragraph shall include the partner-
ship entered into (before the date of the enact-
ment of this paragraph) by the Secretary of
Energy, on behalf of the National laboratories,
and the Secretary of Agriculture to promote co-
operation and coordination between the Na-
tional laboratories and agencies of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture in the areas of systems re-
search, technology research and development,
and the transfer, utilization, and private-sector
commercialization of technology.
‘‘(C) ROLE OF PARTNERSHIPS.—Partner-
ships described in subparagraphs (A) and (B)
shall be eligible grantees for conducting systems
research (including on-farm research) regarding
precision agriculture and precision agriculture
technologies.
‘‘(6) 
SPECIAL
ASPECTS
OF
RESEARCH
GRANTS.—As part of a research project regarding
precision agriculture that is funded under subsection
(b), the grant recipient shall agree to perform the
following, to the extent practicable:
‘‘(A) Study precision agriculture produc-
tion systems that are located in areas that pos-
sess diverse crop, soil, climate, and physical
characteristics.
‘‘(B) Study farms that are or have been
managed using precision agriculture farm pro-
duction practices that rely on the efficient use
of agricultural inputs and precision agriculture
technologies to increase farm production effi-
ciency, productivity, and profitability.
‘‘(C) Conduct demonstration projects on
farms that will be managed using precision ag-
riculture.
‘‘(D) Take advantage of the experience and
expertise of agricultural producers through
their direct participation and leadership in
projects.
‘‘(E) Utilize advanced access and commu-
nications technologies to transfer practical, reli-
able, and timely information to agricultural pro-
ducers concerning precision agriculture prac-
tices, technologies, and systems.
‘‘(F) Promote partnerships among produc-
ers, nonprofit organizations, agribusinesses, ag-
ricultural input machinery, product, and service
providers, colleges and universities, the State
cooperative extension services, and Government
agencies (including National laboratories).’’.
(b) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—Subsection (l) of
the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant
Act (section 2 of Public Law 89–106; 7 U.S.C. 450i) is
amended to read as follows:
‘‘(l) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF GRANT RECIPI-
ENTS.—In addition to the record keeping responsibilities
of recipients of assistance under this section, as prescribed
by the Secretary under subsection (f), the Secretary shall
prescribe regulations to require grant recipients to submit
to the Secretary periodic reports regarding the research,
education, and information dissemination activities sup-
ported with such assistance so as to enhance the useful-
ness of the monitoring and evaluation system developed
by the Secretary under section 1413A(b) of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3129(b)).’’.
(c) ENTITIES ELIGIBLE FOR GRANTS.—Subsection
(b)(1) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research
Grant Act (section 2 of Public Law 89–106; 7 U.S.C.
450i) is amended—
(1) by inserting after ‘‘Federal agencies’’ the
following: ‘‘(including National laboratories as de-
fined in section 12(d)(2) of the Stevenson-Wydler
Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C.
3710a(d)(2)))’’; and
(2) by inserting after ‘‘corporations’’ the follow-
ing: ‘‘(including agricultural input machinery, prod-
uct, and service providers)’’.
(d) PRECISION AGRICULTURE RESEARCH, EXTEN-
SION, AND EDUCATION, UNDER FUND FOR RURAL AMER-
ICA.—Section 793(c)(2)(A) of the Federal Agriculture Im-
provement and Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–127;
7 U.S.C. 2204f(c)(2)(A)) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of clause (vii);
(2) by striking the period at the end of clause
(viii) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
(3) by inserting after clause (viii) the following
new clause:
‘‘(ix) develop and promote precision
agriculture and precision agriculture tech-
nologies using a systems research ap-
proach, as such terms are defined in sub-
section (k)(1) of the Competitive, Special,
and Facilities Research Grant Act (section
2 of Public Law 89–106; 7 U.S.C. 450i).’’.
(e) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Subsection (b)(9)(A)
of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant
Act (section 2 of Public Law 89–106; 7 U.S.C. 450i) is
amended by striking ‘‘subsection (j)’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
section (k)’’.
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