7 U.S.C. § 3103 (AGRICULTURE)
§ 3103. Definitions
When used in this chapter:
(1) The term “Advisory Board” means the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board.
(2) The term “agricultural research” means research in the food and agricultural sciences.
(3) The term “aquaculture” means the propagation and rearing of aquacultural species, including, but not limited to, any species of finfish, mollusk, or crustacean (or other aquatic invertebrate), amphibian, reptile, ornamental fish, or aquatic plant, in controlled or selected environments.
(4) College and university.—
(A) In general.—
The terms “college” and “university” mean an educational institution in any State which (i) admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate, (ii) is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of education beyond secondary education, (iii) provides an educational program for which a bachelor’s degree or any other higher degree is awarded, (iv) is a public or other nonprofit institution, and (v) is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association.
(B) Inclusions.—
The terms “college” and “university” include a research foundation maintained by a college or university described in subparagraph (A).
(5) Cooperating forestry school.—
(A) In general.—
The term “cooperating forestry school” means an institution—
(i) that is eligible to receive funds under Public Law 87–788 (commonly known as the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act; 16 U.S.C. 582a et seq.); and
(ii) with respect to which the Secretary has not received a declaration of the intent of that institution to not be considered a cooperating forestry school.
(B) Termination of declaration.—
A declaration of the intent of an institution to not be considered a cooperating forestry school submitted to the Secretary shall be in effect until September 30, 2018.
(6) The term “cooperative extension services” means the organizations established at the land-grant colleges and universities under the Smith-Lever Act of May 8, 1914 (38 Stat. 372–374, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 341–349), and section 209(b) of the Act of October 26, 1974 (88 Stat. 1428, as amended; D.C. Code, sec. 31–1719(b)).
(7) The term “Department of Agriculture” means the United States Department of Agriculture.
(8) The term “extension” means the informal education programs conducted in the States in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture.
(9) Food and agricultural sciences.—
The term “food and agricultural sciences” means basic, applied, and developmental research, extension, and teaching activities in food and fiber, agricultural, renewable energy and natural resources, forestry, and physical and social sciences, including activities relating to the following:
(A) Animal health, production, and well-being.
(B) Plant health and production.
(C) Animal and plant germ plasm collection and preservation.
(D) Aquaculture.
(E) Food safety.
(F) Soil, water, and related resource conservation and improvement.
(G) Forestry, horticulture, and range management.
(H) Nutritional sciences and promotion.
(I) Farm enhancement, including financial management, input efficiency, and profitability.
(J) Home economics.
(K) Rural human ecology.
(L) Youth development and agricultural education, including 4–H clubs.
(M) Expansion of domestic and international markets for agricultural commodities and products, including agricultural trade barrier identification and analysis.
(N) Information management and technology transfer related to agriculture.
(O) Biotechnology related to agriculture.
(P) The processing, distributing, marketing, and utilization of food and agricultural products.
(10) Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities.—
(A) In general.—
The term “Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities” means colleges or universities—
(i) that qualify as Hispanic-serving institutions;
(ii) that offer associate, bachelors, or other accredited degree programs in agriculture-related fields; and
(iii) with respect to which the Secretary has not received a declaration of the intent of a college or university to not be considered a Hispanic-serving agricultural college or university.
(B) Exception.—
The term “Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities” does not include 1862 institutions (as defined in section 7601 of this title).
(C) Termination of declaration of intent.—
A declaration of the intent of a college or university to not be considered a Hispanic-serving agricultural college or university submitted to the Secretary shall be in effect until September 30, 2018.
(11) Hispanic-serving institution.—
The term “Hispanic-serving institution” has the meaning given the term in section 1101a of title 20.
(12) Insular area.—
The term “insular area” means—
(A) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
(B) Guam;
(C) American Samoa;
(D) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands;
(E) the Federated States of Micronesia;
(F) the Republic of the Marshall Islands;
(G) the Republic of Palau; and
(H) the Virgin Islands of the United States.
(13) The term “land-grant colleges and universities” means those institutions eligible to receive funds under the Act of July 2, 1862 (12 Stat. 503–505, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 301–305, 307 and 308), or the Act of August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 417–419, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 321–326 and 328), including Tuskegee University.
(14) NLGCA institution; non-land-grant college of agriculture.—
(A) In general.—
(i) Definition.—
The terms “NLGCA Institution” and “non-land-grant college of agriculture” mean a public college or university offering a baccalaureate or higher degree in the study of agricultural sciences, forestry, or both in any area of study specified in clause (ii).
(ii) Clarification.—
For purposes of clause (i), an area of study specified in this clause is any of the following:
(I) Agriculture.
(II) Agricultural business and management.
(III) Agricultural economics.
(IV) Agricultural mechanization.
(V) Agricultural production operations.
(VI) Aquaculture.
(VII) Agricultural and food products processing.
(VIII) Agricultural and domestic animal services.
(IX) Equestrian or equine studies.
(X) Applied horticulture or horticulture operations.
(XI) Ornamental horticulture.
(XII) Greenhouse operations and management.
(XIII) Turf and turfgrass management.
(XIV) Plant nursery operations and management.
(XV) Floriculture or floristry operations and management.
(XVI) International agriculture.
(XVII) Agricultural public services.
(XVIII) Agricultural and extension education services.
(XIX) Agricultural communication or agricultural journalism.
(XX) Animal sciences.
(XXI) Food science.
(XXII) Plant sciences.
(XXIII) Soil sciences.
(XXIV) Forestry.
(XXV) Forest sciences and biology.
(XXVI) Natural resources or conservation.
(XXVII) Natural resources management and policy.
(XXVIII) Natural resource economics.
(XXIX) Urban forestry.
(XXX) Wood science and wood products or pulp or paper technology.
(XXXI) Range science and management.
(XXXII) Agricultural engineering.
(XXXIII) Any other area, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(B) Designation.—
Not later than 90 days after Feb. 7, 2014, the Secretary shall establish an ongoing process through which public colleges or universities may apply for designation as an NLGCA Institution.
(C) Exclusions.—
The terms “NLGCA Institution” and “non-land-grant college of agriculture” do not include any institution designated under—
(i) the Act of July 2, 1862 (commonly known as the “First Morrill Act”; 7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.);
(ii) the Act of August 30, 1890 (commonly known as the “Second Morrill Act”) (7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.); or
(iii) the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 103–382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note).
(15) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States.
(16) State.—
The term “State” means—
(A) a State;
(B) the District of Columbia; and
(C) any insular area.
(17) The term “State agricultural experiment stations” means those institutions eligible to receive funds under the Act of March 2, 1887 (24 Stat. 440–442, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 361a–361i).
(18) The term “State cooperative institutions” or “State cooperative agents” means institutions or agents designated by—
(A) the Act of July 2, 1862 (7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), commonly known as the First Morrill Act;
(B) the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.), commonly known as the Second Morrill Act, including Tuskegee University;
(C) the Act of March 2, 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.), commonly known as the Hatch Act of 1887;
(D) the Act of May 8, 1914 (7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.), commonly known as the Smith-Lever Act;
(E) the Act of October 10, 1962 (16 U.S.C. 582a et seq.), commonly known as the McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962;
(F) section 3192 of this title; and
(G) subchapters VI, XI, and XII of this chapter.
(19) The term “sustainable agriculture” means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long-term—
(A) satisfy human food and fiber needs;
(B) enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agriculture economy depends;
(C) make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls;
(D) sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and
(E) enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.
(20) Teaching and education.—
The terms “teaching” and “education” mean formal classroom instruction, laboratory instruction, and practicum experience in the food and agricultural sciences and matters relating thereto (such as faculty development, student recruitment and services, curriculum development, instructional materials and equipment, and innovative teaching methodologies) conducted by colleges and universities offering baccalaureate or higher degrees.
(Pub. L. 95–113, title XIV, § 1404, Sept. 29, 1977, 91 Stat. 983; Pub. L. 97–98, title XIV, § 1404, Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1297; Pub. L. 99–198, title XIV, § 1403, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1544; Pub. L. 101–624, title XVI, § 1603, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3705; Pub. L. 102–237, title IV, § 402(3), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1863; Pub. L. 104–127, title VIII, §§ 802(b)(1), 815(b), 820(a), 853(b)(1), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1159, 1167, 1168, 1172; Pub. L. 105–185, title II, §§ 221, 226(c)(1), June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 537, 543; Pub. L. 107–171, title VII, § 7502(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 463; Pub. L. 110–234, title VII, § 7101(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1212; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VII, § 7101(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1973; Pub. L. 113–79, title VII, §§ 7101, 7111(b)(1), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 862, 873; Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7102(a), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4779.)
heading: References in Text
text: For definition of “this chapter”, referred to in text, see note set out under section 3102 of this title.
Public Law 87–788 or Act of October 10, 1962, referred to in pars. (5)(A)(i) and (18)(E), is Pub. L. 87–788, Oct. 10, 1962, 76 Stat. 806, popularly known as the “McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962” and also as the “McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act”, which is classified generally to subchapter III (§ 582a et seq.) of chapter 3 of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 582a of Title 16 and Tables.
The Smith-Lever Act of May 8, 1914, referred to in pars. (6) and (18)(D), is act May 8, 1914, ch. 79, 38 Stat. 372, which is classified generally to subchapter IV (§ 341 et seq.) of chapter 13 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 341 of this title and Tables.
Act of July 2, 1862, 12 Stat. 503, referred to in pars. (13), (14)(C)(ii)(I), and (18)(A), is popularly known as the “Morrill Act” and also as the “First Morrill Act”, which is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 301 et seq.) of chapter 13 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 301 of this title and Tables.
Act of August 30, 1890, 26 Stat. 417, referred to in pars. (13), (14)(C)(ii)(II), and (18)(B), is popularly known as the “Agricultural College Act of 1890” and also as the “Second Morrill Act”, which is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 321 et seq.) of chapter 13 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 321 of this title and Tables.
The Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994, referred to in par. (14)(C)(ii)(III), is Pub. L. 103–382, title V, part C, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 4048, which is set out as a note under section 301 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.
Act of March 2, 1887, referred to in pars. (17) and (18)(C), is act Mar. 2, 1887, ch. 314, 24 Stat. 440, popularly known as the Hatch Act of 1887, which is classified generally to sections 361a to 361i of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 361a of this title and Tables.
heading: Codification
text: Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.
heading: Amendments
text: 2018—Par. (14)(A). Pub. L. 115–334, § 7102(a)(1), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The terms ‘NLGCA Institution’ and ‘non-land-grant college of agriculture’ mean a public college or university offering a baccalaureate or higher degree in the study of food and agricultural sciences.”
Par. (14)(C). Pub. L. 115–334, § 7102(a)(2), inserted “any institution designated under” after “include” in introductory provisions, redesignated subcls. (I) to (III) of cl. (ii) as cls. (i) to (iii), respectively, and struck out former cl. (i), which read “Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities; or”, introductory provisions of former cl. (ii) which read “(ii) any institution designated under—”, and subcl. (IV) of former cl. (ii) which read “Public Law 87–788 (commonly known as the ‘McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act’) (16 U.S.C. 582a et seq.).”
2014—Par. (5). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7101(1), added par. (5) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “The term ‘cooperating forestry schools’ means those institutions eligible to receive funds under the Act of October 10, 1962 (16 U.S.C. 582a et seq.), commonly known as the McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962.”
Par. (10)(A). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7101(2)(A), struck out “that” after “colleges or universities” in introductory provisions, inserted “that” before “qualify” in cl. (i) and before “offer” in cl. (ii), and added cl. (iii).
Par. (10)(C). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7101(2)(B), added subpar. (C).
Par. (14)(A). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7101(3)(A), substituted “food and agricultural sciences” for “agriculture or forestry”.
Par. (14)(B), (C). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7101(3)(B), (C), added subpar. (B) and redesignated former subpar. (B) as (C).
Par. (18)(F). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7111(b)(1)(A), (D), added subpar. (F). Former subpar. (F) redesignated (G).
Pub. L. 113–79, § 7111(b)(1)(B), substituted “subchapters VI,” for “subchapters V, VI,”.
Par. (18)(G). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7111(b)(1)(C), redesignated subpar. (F) as (G).
2008—Par. (4). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7101(a)(1), inserted par. heading, designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted subpar. heading, redesignated former subpars. (A) to (E) as cls. (i) to (v), respectively, of subpar. (A), and added subpar. (B).
Pars. (5) to (8). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7101(a)(2), designated pars. (16) and (5) to (7) as (5) to (8), respectively. Former par. (8) redesignated (9).
Par. (9). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7101(a)(2), (3), redesignated par. (8) as (9), substituted “renewable energy and natural resources” for “renewable natural resources” in introductory provisions, added subpar. (F), and struck out former subpar. (F) which read as follows: “Soil and water conservation and improvement.” Former par. (9) redesignated (11).
Par. (10). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7101(a)(4), added par. (10). Former par. (10) redesignated (12).
Par. (11). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7101(a)(5), added par. (11) and struck out former par. (11) which read as follows: “The term ‘Hispanic-serving institution’ has the meaning given the term by section 1059c(b)(1) of title 20.”
Pub. L. 110–246, § 7101(a)(2), redesignated par. (9) as (11). Former par. (11) redesignated (13).
Pars. (12), (13). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7101(a)(2), redesignated pars. (10) and (11) as (12) and (13), respectively. Former pars. (12) and (13) redesignated (15) and (16), respectively.
Par. (14). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7101(a)(6), added par. (14). Former par. (14) redesignated (17).
Pars. (15) to (20). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7101(a)(2), redesignated pars. (12) to (14), (17), (18), and (15) as (15) to (20), respectively. Former par. (16) redesignated (5).
2002—Pars. (10) to (12). Pub. L. 107–171, § 7502(a)(1), (2), redesignated pars. (10) and (11) as (11) and (12), respectively, and added par. (10). Former par. (12) redesignated (13).
Par. (13). Pub. L. 107–171, § 7502(a)(3), added par. (13) and struck out former par. (13) which read as follows: “The term ‘State’ means any one of the fifty States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Virgin Islands of the United States, and the District of Columbia.”
Pub. L. 107–171, § 7502(a)(1), redesignated par. (12) as (13). Former par. (13) redesignated (14).
Pars. (14) to (18). Pub. L. 107–171, § 7502(a)(1), redesignated pars. (13) to (17) as (14) to (18), respectively.
1998—Pub. L. 105–185, § 221(c)(1), substituted “chapter:” for “chapter—” in introductory provisions.
Pars. (1) to (3). Pub. L. 105–185, § 221(c)(2), (5), substituted “The term” for “the term” and period for semicolon at end.
Par. (4). Pub. L. 105–185, § 221(c)(3), (5), substituted “The terms” for “the terms” and period for semicolon at end.
Pars. (5) to (7). Pub. L. 105–185, § 221(c)(2), (5), substituted “The term” for “the term” and period for semicolon at end.
Par. (8). Pub. L. 105–185, § 221(a), added par. (8) and struck out former par. (8) which defined term “food and agricultural sciences” in broadest sense of terms, including but not limited to activities relating to agriculture, food processing, forestry, acquaculture, home economics, rural community welfare, youth development, market expansion, improvement of productivity, and international food and agricultural issues.
Par. (9). Pub. L. 105–185, § 221(c)(4), (5), substituted “The term” for “the term” after “(9)” and substituted period for semicolon at end.
Par. (10). Pub. L. 105–185, §§ 221(c)(2), (5), 226(c)(1), substituted “The term” for “the term”, “Tuskegee University” for “the Tuskegee Institute”, and period for semicolon at end.
Pars. (11) to (13). Pub. L. 105–185, § 221(c)(2), (5), substituted “The term” for “the term” and period for semicolon at end.
Par. (14). Pub. L. 105–185, § 221(b), (c)(5), inserted par. heading, substituted “The terms ‘teaching’ and ‘education’ mean” for “the term ‘teaching’ means”, and substituted period for semicolon at end.
Par. (15). Pub. L. 105–185, § 221(c)(2), (5), substituted “The term” for “the term” and period for semicolon at end.
Par. (16). Pub. L. 105–185, § 221(c)(2), substituted “The term” for “the term” in introductory provisions.
Par. (16)(B). Pub. L. 105–185, § 226(c)(1), substituted “Tuskegee University” for “the Tuskegee Institute”.
Par. (16)(F). Pub. L. 105–185, § 221(c)(6), substituted period for “; and” at end.
Par. (17). Pub. L. 105–185, § 221(c)(2), substituted “The term” for “the term”.
1996—Par. (1). Pub. L. 104–127, § 802(b)(1), substituted “National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board” for “National Agricultural Research and Extension Users Advisory Board”.
Par. (3). Pub. L. 104–127, § 820(a), inserted “ornamental fish,” after “reptile,”.
Par. (9). Pub. L. 104–127, § 815(b), amended par. (9) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (9) read as follows: “the term ‘Joint Council’ means the Joint Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences;”.
Pars. (16) to (18). Pub. L. 104–127, § 853(b)(1), inserted “and” at end of par. (16), substituted a period for “; and” at end of par. (17), and struck out par. (18) which read as follows: “the term ‘Technology Board’ means the Agricultural Science and Technology Review Board established in section 3123a of this title.”
1991—Par. (18). Pub. L. 102–237 inserted “and” after “Science”.
1990—Par. (16)(F). Pub. L. 101–624, § 1603(2), inserted reference to subchapter VI of this chapter.
Pars. (17), (18). Pub. L. 101–624, § 1603(1), (3), added pars. (17) and (18).
1985—Par. (8)(J). Pub. L. 99–198 added subpar. (J).
1981—Par. (8). Pub. L. 97–98, § 1404(1), substituted in provision preceding subpar. (A) “basic, applied, and developmental research, extension, and teaching activities in the food, agricultural, renewable natural resources, forestry, and physical and social sciences, in the broadest sense of these terms, including but not limited to, activities relating to” for “sciences relating to food and agriculture in the broadest sense, including the social, economic, and political considerations of”, in subpar. (E) “including consumer affairs, food and nutrition, clothing and textiles, housing, and family well-being and financial management;” for “human nutrition, and family life; and”, and in subpar. (F) “community welfare and development” for “and community development”, and added subpars. (G) to (I).
Par. (12). Pub. L. 97–98, § 1404(2), struck out “except as provided in subchapter VII of this chapter,” before “the term” and included within term “State” American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
Par. (14). Pub. L. 97–98, § 1404(4), struck out reference to laboratory training, inserted reference to practicum experience and matters relating to formal classroom instruction, laboratory instruction, and practicum experience, and substituted provision that the teaching be conducted at colleges or universities offering baccalaureate or higher degrees for provision that the teaching be conducted at colleges and universities leading to a baccalaureate and other recognized degrees.
Pars. (15), (16). Pub. L. 97–98, § 1404(5), added pars. (15) and (16).
heading: Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
text: Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 97–98 effective Dec. 22, 1981, see section 1801 of Pub. L. 97–98, set out as an Effective Date note under section 4301 of this title.
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective Oct. 1, 1977, see section 1901 of Pub. L. 95–113, set out as an Effective Date of 1977 Amendment note under section 1307 of this title.
heading: Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
text: For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.
heading: Construction of 2002 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 107–171, title VII, § 7502(b), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 463, provided that:
“The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall not affect any basis for distribution of funds by formula (in effect on the date of enactment of this Act [May 13, 2002]) to—
“(1) the Federated States of Micronesia;
“(2) the Republic of the Marshall Islands; or
“(3) the Republic of Palau.”
heading: Designation Review
text: Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7102(b), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4781, provided that:
“(1) In general.—
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2018], the Secretary [of Agriculture] shall establish a process to review each designated NLGCA Institution (as defined in section 1404(14)(A) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103(14)(A))) to ensure compliance with such section, as amended by this subsection [probably means “as amended by this section”].
“(2) Revocation.—
An NLGCA Institution that the Secretary determines under subparagraph (A) to be not in compliance shall have the designation of such institution revoked.”