Title: Local FARMS Act
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
Local Food And Regional Market Supply Act or the Local FARMS Act
This bill consolidates, modifies, and authorizes several Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs to expand regional or local food markets and implement food safety practices.
The bill authorizes and provides mandatory funding for a new Agricultural Market Development Program that is administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and consolidates:
The bill modifies the Food Safety Outreach Program to move the program to the AMS, provide mandatory funding, and expand the project priorities.
The bill also:
The bill modifies the Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program to: (1) require the majority of funds to be reserved for national or regional programs involving multiple states, and (2) expand the purposes of the program to include food waste reduction.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1947 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1947

To improve food safety, to encourage greater production of agricultural 
 commodities for use in the locality of production, to reauthorize and 
  expand Department of Agriculture support of those efforts, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 5, 2017

   Mr. Brown introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
   referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To improve food safety, to encourage greater production of agricultural 
 commodities for use in the locality of production, to reauthorize and 
  expand Department of Agriculture support of those efforts, and for 
                            other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Local Food and 
Regional Market Supply Act'' or the ``Local FARMS Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Agricultural Market Development Program.
Sec. 3. Food safety outreach program.
Sec. 4. Food safety cost-share program.
Sec. 5. National organic certification cost-share program.
Sec. 6. Livestock, dairy, and poultry supply chain infrastructure 
                            grants and loans.
Sec. 7. Geographic preference and identification for school food.
Sec. 8. Harvesting health program.
Sec. 9. Seniors farmers' market nutrition program.
Sec. 10. Food and agriculture service learning program.

SEC. 2. AGRICULTURAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to combine the 
purposes and coordinate the functions of--
            (1) the Farmers' Market and Local Food Promotion Program 
        established under section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct 
        Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005); and
            (2) the value-added agricultural product market development 
        grants under section 231(b) of the Agricultural Risk Protection 
        Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a(b)).
    (b) Agricultural Market Development Program.--Subtitle A of the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) is amended 
by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 210A. AGRICULTURAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Beginning farmer or rancher.--The term `beginning 
        farmer or rancher' has the meaning given the term in section 
        343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
        U.S.C. 1991(a)).
            ``(2) Direct producer-to-consumer marketing.--The term 
        `direct producer-to-consumer marketing' has the meaning given 
        the term `direct marketing from farmers to consumers' in 
        section 3 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 
        1976 (7 U.S.C. 3002).
            ``(3) Eligible activity.--The term `eligible activity' 
        means an activity described in subsection (d)(2) that is 
        carried out using a grant provided under subsection (d)(1).
            ``(4) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
                    ``(A) an independent producer;
                    ``(B) an agricultural producer group, network, or 
                association, including a community supported 
                agriculture network or association;
                    ``(C) a farmer or rancher cooperative, other 
                agricultural business entity, or majority-controlled 
                producer-based business venture;
                    ``(D) a food council;
                    ``(E) a State or local government;
                    ``(F) a Tribal government or Tribal government 
                agency;
                    ``(G) a nonprofit corporation;
                    ``(H) an institution of higher education;
                    ``(I) a public benefit corporation;
                    ``(J) an economic development corporation; and
                    ``(K) a regional farmers' market authority.
            ``(5) Eligible partner.--The term `eligible partner' 
        means--
                    ``(A) a State agency or regional authority;
                    ``(B) a philanthropic organization;
                    ``(C) a private corporation;
                    ``(D) a commercial, Federal, or Farm Credit System 
                lending institution; and
                    ``(E) another entity, as determined by the 
                Secretary.
            ``(6) Family farm.--The term `family farm' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 231(a) of the Agricultural Risk 
        Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a(a)).
            ``(7) Food council.--The term `food council' means a food 
        policy council or food and farm system network that--
                    ``(A) represents multiple organizations;
                    ``(B) may be--
                            ``(i) sanctioned by a local or State 
                        government; or
                            ``(ii) independent of government; and
                    ``(C) addresses food and farm-related issues and 
                needs within city, county, State, Tribal region, 
                multicounty region, or other region designated by the 
                food council or food system network.
            ``(8) Independent producer.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `independent producer' 
                means an agricultural producer who owns and controls an 
                agricultural product produced.
                    ``(B) Inclusion.--The term `independent producer' 
                means a legal entity solely owned and controlled by 
                agricultural producers if the entity owns a majority 
                ownership interest in the agricultural operation of the 
                entity and a significant share of the agricultural 
                product produced.
            ``(9) Majority-controlled producer-based business 
        venture.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `majority-controlled 
                producer-based business venture' means a venture 
                greater than 50 percent of the ownership and control of 
                which is held by--
                            ``(i) 1 or more independent producers; or
                            ``(ii) 1 or more entities described in 
                        subparagraph (B), 100 percent of the ownership 
                        and control of which is held by 1 or more 
                        independent producers.
                    ``(B) Entity described.--For purposes of 
                subparagraph (A), the term `entity' means--
                            ``(i) a partnership;
                            ``(ii) a limited liability corporation;
                            ``(iii) a limited liability partnership;
                            ``(iv) a corporation; and
                            ``(v) a cooperative.
            ``(10) Mid-tier value chain.--The term `mid-tier value 
        chain' has the meaning given the term in section 231(a) of the 
        Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a(a)).
            ``(11) Partnership agreement.--The term `partnership 
        agreement' means an agreement entered into under subsection 
        (c).
            ``(12) Program.--The term `Program' means the Agricultural 
        Market Development Program established under subsection (b).
            ``(13) Regional food chain coordination.--The term 
        `regional food chain coordination' means coordination and 
        collaboration along the supply chain, including activities 
        that--
                    ``(A) identify and organize local food producers 
                and entrepreneurs into entities that are able to 
                deliver local and regional food products into local 
                markets;
                    ``(B) provide market matchmaker services by 
                identifying and connecting key stakeholders through 
                referral services and other forms of short-term 
                engagement;
                    ``(C) convene stakeholders and facilitate 
                relationship-building across the food value chain by--
                            ``(i) engaging key stakeholders;
                            ``(ii) maintaining communication channels; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) fostering a trusting environment;
                    ``(D) work with supply chain members to build 
                capacity through education and training programs for--
                            ``(i) business development practices;
                            ``(ii) marketing and branding; and
                            ``(iii) other similar activities;
                    ``(E) identify and work to remove barriers to the 
                movement of local and regional food products into the 
                marketplace;
                    ``(F) increase awareness about procurement 
                requirements, such as bidding procedures and preferred-
                vender practices, that may impede the ability of the 
                food chain to access certain marketing channels;
                    ``(G) provide technical assistance to producers and 
                enterprises in the preparation of grant and loan 
                applications to promote the purposes described in 
                section 2(a) of the Local Food and Regional Market 
                Supply Act; and
                    ``(H) coordinate with State and local government 
                agencies to enhance supply chain coordination and build 
                on existing efforts to develop regional food systems.
            ``(14) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
        of Agriculture.
            ``(15) Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.--The term 
        `socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and 
        Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e)).
            ``(16) Value-added agricultural product.--The term `value-
        added agricultural product' has the meaning given the term in 
        section 231(a) of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 
        (7 U.S.C. 1632a(a)).
            ``(17) Veteran farmer or rancher.--The term `veteran farmer 
        or rancher' has the meaning given the term in section 2501(e) 
        of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
        (7 U.S.C. 2279(e)).
    ``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a program, to 
be known as the `Agricultural Market Development Program', that--
            ``(1) streamlines existing programs and operations in 
        accordance with section 2(a) of the Local Food and Regional 
        Market Supply Act to more efficiently and effectively support 
        the development, coordination, and expansion of--
                    ``(A) direct producer-to-consumer marketing;
                    ``(B) local and regional food markets and 
                enterprises; and
                    ``(C) value-added agricultural products;
            ``(2) connects and cultivates regional food economies 
        through public-private partnerships;
            ``(3) supports the development of business plans, 
        feasibility studies, and strategies for local and regional 
        marketing opportunities;
            ``(4) strengthens capacity and regional food system 
        development through community collaboration and expansion of 
        mid-tier value chains;
            ``(5) improves income and economic opportunities for 
        producers and food businesses through job creation and improved 
        regional food system infrastructure; and
            ``(6) simplifies the application processes and the 
        reporting processes for the Program.
    ``(c) Regional Partnerships.--
            ``(1) Partnership agreements.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary, in accordance 
                with the purposes of the Program described in 
                subsection (b), may enter into 1 or more partnership 
                agreements to plan and develop a regional food system 
                by supporting eligible activities.
                    ``(B) Parties to partnership agreements.--The 
                Secretary shall enter into a partnership agreement 
                with--
                            ``(i) 1 or more eligible partners; and
                            ``(ii) 1 or more eligible entities.
                    ``(C) Geographical diversity.--To the maximum 
                extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure 
                geographical diversity in selecting partnership 
                agreements.
            ``(2) Length of agreement.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), a partnership agreement shall be for 
                a period not longer than 5 years.
                    ``(B) Extension.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), 
                the Secretary may extend a partnership agreement 1 time 
                for not longer than 1 year if the Secretary determines 
                that the extension is necessary to properly complete 1 
                or more eligible activities.
            ``(3) Terms of partnership.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Under a partnership agreement, 
                the eligible partner and the eligible entity shall--
                            ``(i) determine the scope of the regional 
                        food system to be developed, including goals, 
                        outreach objectives, and eligible activities to 
                        be carried out;
                            ``(ii) determine the local, regional, 
                        State, multi-State, or other geographic area 
                        covered;
                            ``(iii) create and conduct a feasibility 
                        study, implementation plan, and assessment of 
                        eligible activities under the partnership 
                        agreement;
                            ``(iv) conduct outreach and education to 
                        other eligible entities and eligible partners 
                        for potential participation in the partnership 
                        agreement and eligible activities;
                            ``(v) at the request of a producer or 
                        eligible entity desiring to participate in 
                        eligible activities under the partnership 
                        agreement, act on behalf of the producer or 
                        eligible entity in applying for a grant under 
                        subsection (d);
                            ``(vi) monitor, evaluate, and periodically 
                        report to the Secretary on progress made toward 
                        achieving the objectives of eligible activities 
                        under the partnership agreement; and
                            ``(vii) at the conclusion of the 
                        partnership agreement, submit to the Secretary 
                        a report describing--
                                    ``(I) the results and effects of 
                                the partnership agreement; and
                                    ``(II) funds provided by an 
                                eligible partner under subparagraph 
                                (B).
                    ``(B) Contribution.--An eligible partner shall 
                provide funding for a significant portion (as 
                determined by the Secretary) of the total cost of 
                eligible activities under the partnership agreement.
            ``(4) Applications.--
                    ``(A) In general.--One or more eligible partners 
                and 1 or more eligible entities desiring to enter into 
                a partnership agreement may submit to the Secretary an 
                application at such time, in such manner, and 
                containing such information as the Secretary considers 
                necessary to evaluate and select applications.
                    ``(B) Competitive process.--The Secretary--
                            ``(i) shall conduct a competitive process 
                        to select applications submitted under 
                        subparagraph (A);
                            ``(ii) may assess and rank applications 
                        with similar purposes as a group; and
                            ``(iii) shall make public the criteria to 
                        be used in evaluating applications prior to 
                        accepting applications.
                    ``(C) Content.--An application submitted to the 
                Secretary under subparagraph (A) shall include a 
                description of--
                            ``(i) the scope of the regional food system 
                        to be developed, including goals, outreach 
                        objectives, and eligible activities to be 
                        carried out;
                            ``(ii) the local, regional, State, multi-
                        State, or other geographic area covered;
                            ``(iii) a plan for each of--
                                    ``(I) the feasibility study, 
                                implementation plan, and assessment 
                                described in paragraph (3)(A)(iii);
                                    ``(II) the outreach and education 
                                described in paragraph (3)(A)(iv); and
                                    ``(III) the monitoring, evaluating, 
                                and reporting described in paragraph 
                                (3)(A)(vi);
                            ``(iv) the projected financials and budget 
                        for eligible activities, including estimated 
                        funding needed from the Secretary through 
                        grants under subsection (d); and
                            ``(v) a list of each eligible partner and 
                        each eligible entity collaborating to achieve 
                        the objectives of the partnership agreement, 
                        including the roles, responsibilities, 
                        capabilities, and financial contribution of 
                        each eligible partner and each eligible entity.
                    ``(D) Priority to certain applications.--The 
                Secretary may give priority to applications submitted 
                under subparagraph (A) that--
                            ``(i)(I) leverage significant non-Federal 
                        financial and technical resources; and
                            ``(II) coordinate with other local, State, 
                        or national efforts;
                            ``(ii) plan to create or retain quality 
                        jobs and provide workforce training and 
                        development in the regional food system 
                        developed under the partnership agreement;
                            ``(iii) adapt to regional community needs 
                        and demonstrate the inclusion of cultural 
                        differences that support food equity;
                            ``(iv) support community and regional 
                        economic development, particularly--
                                    ``(I) in rural areas; or
                                    ``(II) such development that 
                                strengthens rural and urban 
                                connections;
                            ``(v) leverage partnerships with existing 
                        agencies and regional supply chains to better 
                        integrate local and regional foods into new and 
                        existing markets;
                            ``(vi) demonstrate an ability to build 
                        infrastructure and capacity to sustain the 
                        long-term viability of eligible activities;
                            ``(vii) use producer controlled businesses 
                        and cooperative ownership models;
                            ``(viii) cover an area located in 
                        distressed low-income rural and urban 
                        communities, including areas with persistent 
                        poverty;
                            ``(ix) demonstrate consistency with 
                        existing regional economic or community 
                        development plans for the area to be served by 
                        eligible activities; and
                            ``(x) meet other factors that are important 
                        for achieving the purposes of the Program 
                        described in subsection (b), as determined by 
                        the Secretary.
    ``(d) Development Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--Under the Program, the Secretary may 
        provide grants to eligible entities to carry out, in accordance 
        with purposes of the Program described in subsection (b), 
        activities described in paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Eligible activities.--An eligible entity may use a 
        grant provided under paragraph (1)--
                    ``(A) to support and promote--
                            ``(i) domestic direct producer-to-consumer 
                        marketing;
                            ``(ii) farmers' markets;
                            ``(iii) roadside stands;
                            ``(iv) agritourism activities,
                            ``(v) community-supported agriculture 
                        programs; or
                            ``(vi) online sales;
                    ``(B) to support local and regional food business 
                enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect 
                producer-to-consumer marketing;
                    ``(C) to support the processing, aggregation, 
                distribution, and storage of local and regional food 
                products that are marketed locally or regionally;
                    ``(D) to encourage the development of new food 
                products and value-added agricultural products;
                    ``(E) to assist with business development and 
                feasibility studies;
                    ``(F) to develop marketing strategies for producers 
                of local food products and value-added agricultural 
                products in new and existing markets;
                    ``(G) to facilitate regional food chain 
                coordination and mid-tier value chain development;
                    ``(H) to promote new business opportunities and 
                marketing strategies to reduce on-farm food waste; or
                    ``(I) to respond to changing technology needs in 
                direct producer-to-consumer marketing.
            ``(3) Criteria and guidelines.--The Secretary shall 
        establish such criteria and guidelines for the submission, 
        evaluation, and funding of proposed projects under the Program 
        as the Secretary determines are appropriate.
            ``(4) Priorities.--The Secretary may give priority to 
        applications submitted under paragraph (3) that--
                    ``(A) are applied for by, or serve--
                            ``(i) beginning farmers or ranchers;
                            ``(ii) socially disadvantaged farmers or 
                        ranchers;
                            ``(iii) operators of small or medium sized 
                        farms or ranches that are structured as family 
                        farms; or
                            ``(iv) veteran farmers or ranchers;
                    ``(B) benefit underserved communities, including 
                communities that are located in areas of concentrated 
                poverty with limited access to fresh locally or 
                regionally grown food; or
                    ``(C)(i) are applied for by an eligible entity 
                participating in a partnership agreement; and
                    ``(ii) carry out eligible activities under the 
                partnership agreement.
            ``(5) Term.--The term of a grant under this subsection 
        shall be not longer than 3 years, as determined by the 
        Secretary.
            ``(6) Amount.--The amount of a grant under the Program 
        shall be not more than $500,000, as determined by the 
        Secretary.
            ``(7) Limitation on use of funds.--An eligible entity may 
        not use a grant under this subsection for the purchase or 
        construction of a building or structure.
    ``(e) Simplification of Application and Reporting Processes.--
            ``(1) Applications.--The Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) simplify the application process for a grant 
                under subsection (d); and
                    ``(B) establish a simplified application form for 
                eligible entities that request less than $50,000 under 
                that subsection.
            ``(2) Reporting.--The Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) streamline and simplify the reporting process 
                for eligible entities; and
                    ``(B) obtain from eligible entities and maintain 
                such information as the Secretary determines is 
                necessary to administer and evaluate the Program.
    ``(f) Economy Act Agreements.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the 
        Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Agricultural 
        Marketing Service, may enter into 1 or more agreements pursuant 
        to sections 1535 and 1536 of title 31, United States Code, 
        with--
                    ``(A) the head of a field-based agency of the 
                Department of Agriculture, as determined by the 
                Secretary, to carry out such purposes and functions of 
                the Program as the Secretary considers appropriate; or
                    ``(B) a cooperative extension service to provide 
                Program technical assistance and outreach to eligible 
                entities and eligible partners.
            ``(2) Indirect costs.--An agreement entered into under 
        paragraph (1)(B) shall not be subject to any indirect costs, 
        unless the agreement expressly provides that it is subject to 
        indirect costs.
    ``(g) Interdepartmental Coordination.--In carrying out the Program, 
to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure 
coordination among Federal agencies.
    ``(h) Evaluation.--
            ``(1) In general.--Using amounts made available under 
        subsection (i)(4), the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of 
        the Program that--
                    ``(A) measures the economic impact of the Program 
                on new and existing market outcomes;
                    ``(B) measures the effectiveness of the Program in 
                improving and expanding--
                            ``(i) the regional food economy through 
                        public and private partnerships;
                            ``(ii) the production of value-added 
                        agricultural products;
                            ``(iii) producer-to-consumer marketing, 
                        including direct producer-to-consumer 
                        marketing;
                            ``(iv) local and regional food systems, 
                        including regional food chain coordination and 
                        business development;
                            ``(v) new business opportunities and 
                        marketing strategies to reduce on-farm food 
                        waste;
                            ``(vi) the use of new technologies in 
                        producer-to-consumer marketing, including 
                        direct producer-to-consumer marketing; and
                            ``(vii) the workforce and capacity of 
                        regional food systems; and
                    ``(C) provides a description of--
                            ``(i) each partnership agreement; and
                            ``(ii) each grant provided under subsection 
                        (d).
            ``(2) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the 
        Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
        the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
        Senate a report describing the evaluation conducted under 
        paragraph (1), including a thorough analysis of the outcomes of 
        the evaluation.
    ``(i) Funding.--
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
        Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
        section $80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022, 
        to remain available until expended.
            ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for 
        each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022, to remain available 
        until expended.
            ``(3) Use of funds.--
                    ``(A) Producers.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), 
                        of the funds made available to carry out this 
                        section for a fiscal year, 35 percent shall be 
                        used for grants under subsection (d) provided 
                        to eligible entities described in subparagraphs 
                        (A) through (C) of subsection (b)(3).
                            ``(ii) Majority-controlled producer-based 
                        business ventures.--The total amount of grants 
                        under subsection (d) provided to majority-
                        controlled producer-based business ventures for 
                        a fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of 
                        the amount reserved under clause (i).
                    ``(B) Regional partnerships.--Of the funds made 
                available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, 
                10 percent shall be used to enter into partnership 
                agreements.
                    ``(C) Unobligated funds.--Any funds reserved under 
                subparagraph (A) or (B) that are not obligated for the 
                uses described in that subparagraph, as applicable, by 
                September 30 of the fiscal year for which the funds 
                were made available--
                            ``(i) shall be available to carry out any 
                        function of the Program; and
                            ``(ii) may carry over to the next fiscal 
                        year.
            ``(4) Administrative expenses.--Not greater than 8 percent 
        of amounts made available to carry out this section for a 
        fiscal year may be used for administrative expenses.''.

SEC. 3. FOOD SAFETY OUTREACH PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 405 of the Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) Project Priorities.--In awarding grants under this section, 
the Secretary shall give priority to the following types of projects:
            ``(1) A project that targets small- and medium-sized farms, 
        beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, small food 
        processors, or small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant 
        wholesalers.
            ``(2) A project carried out in partnership with or led by 
        an organization described in subsection (f)(1)(C) that works 
        with or represents the target audience for the project.''; and
            (2) in subsection (f)(1)--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (C), (D), and 
                (E) as subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F), respectively; 
                and
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
                following:
                    ``(B) a Federal, State, local, or Tribal agency;
                    ``(C) a nonprofit community-based or 
                nongovernmental organization or an organization 
                representing owners and operators of farms, small food 
                processors, or small fruit and vegetable merchant 
                wholesalers that has a commitment to public health and 
                expertise in administering programs that contribute to 
                food safety;''.
    (b) Coordination and Cooperation.--Section 405(d) of the 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
U.S.C. 7625(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``National Integrated 
        Food Safety Initiative'' and inserting ``Agricultural Marketing 
        Service''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
            ``(2) Consultation.--In carrying out the grant program 
        under this section, the Secretary shall consult with the 
        National Institute of Food and Agriculture--
                    ``(A) to take into consideration applied research, 
                education, and extension results; and
                    ``(B) to integrate program evaluations and results 
                into the research, education, and extension agenda.
            ``(3) Food safety applied research agenda.--In determining 
        the applied research agenda for food safety, the Secretary 
        shall take into consideration the needs described by 
        participants in projects funded by the program under this 
        section.''.
    (c) Grant Features and Requirements.--Section 405(e) of the 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
U.S.C. 7625(e)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
            ``(2) Encouraged features.--The Secretary shall encourage a 
        project carried out using grant funds under this section--
                    ``(A) to include comanagement of food safety, 
                conservation systems, and ecological health; and
                    ``(B) to be appropriate to the identified needs of 
                the priority target audience of the project.'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)(B)--
                    (A) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
                following:
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in 
                        clause (ii), the Secretary''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ii) Continuation grant.--The Secretary 
                        may approve a continuation grant for a project 
                        to receive funding under this section after the 
                        entity carrying out the project has received 3 
                        years of grant funding under this section if 
                        the project--
                                    ``(I) meets 1 or more of the 
                                priorities specified in subsection (c); 
                                and
                                    ``(II) demonstrates a positive 
                                impact on the target audience from 
                                funding received for the prior funding 
                                cycle.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Limitation on indirect costs.--A recipient of a grant 
        under this section may not use more than 20 percent of the 
        grant funds for the indirect costs (as determined by the 
        Secretary) of carrying out projects described in paragraph 
        (1).''.
    (d) Funding.--Section 405 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625) is amended by striking 
subsection (j) and inserting the following:
    ``(j) Funding.--
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
        Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
        section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.
            ``(2) Limitation on administrative expenses.--Not more than 
        5 percent of the total amount made available to carry out this 
        section for a fiscal year may be used for administrative 
        expenses.''.
    (e) Technical Corrections.--Section 405(a) of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7625(a)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``section 1011(d) of the Federal Food, 
        Drug, and Cosmetic Act'' and inserting ``section 1012(d) of the 
        Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 399c(d)) 
        (commonly known as the `Food Safety Outreach Program')''; and
            (2) by striking ``such section'' and inserting ``that 
        subsection''.

SEC. 4. FOOD SAFETY COST-SHARE PROGRAM.

    Subtitle A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 
et seq.) (as amended by section 2(b)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:

``SEC. 210B. FOOD SAFETY COST-SHARE PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the 
Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service (referred to in 
this section as the `Secretary') shall establish a national food safety 
cost-share program (referred to in this section as the `program') under 
which the Secretary shall reimburse producers and handlers of 
agricultural products for costs incurred in--
            ``(1) obtaining food safety certification; and
            ``(2) making necessary changes and upgrades to practices 
        and equipment to improve food safety.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), a domestic 
        producer or handler that obtains a food safety certification 
        from an accredited food safety certifier may request 
        reimbursement under the program.
            ``(2) Limitation.--A producer or handler that has 
        successfully passed a food safety audit each of the preceding 3 
        years shall not be eligible for reimbursement under the 
        program.
    ``(c) Amount of Reimbursement.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the 
        Secretary may reimburse a producer or handler under the program 
        for--
                    ``(A) not more than 75 percent of the costs 
                incurred by the producer or handler in obtaining food 
                safety certification through an accredited food safety 
                certifier; and
                    ``(B) not more than 50 percent of the costs 
                incurred by the producer or handler for changes to 
                agricultural practices and equipment necessary to 
                improve food safety.
            ``(2) Maximum amount.--The maximum amount of reimbursement 
        provided to a producer or handler under the program shall be--
                    ``(A) $1,500 under paragraph (1)(A); and
                    ``(B) $5,000 under paragraph (1)(B).
            ``(3) Increased payments for certain producers.--
                    ``(A) Applicability.--This paragraph applies to--
                            ``(i) a limited resource farmer or rancher 
                        (as defined by the Secretary);
                            ``(ii) a socially disadvantaged farmer or 
                        rancher (as defined in section 355(e) of the 
                        Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
                        U.S.C. 2003(e)));
                            ``(iii) a veteran farmer or rancher (as 
                        defined in section 2501(e) of the Food, 
                        Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 
                        1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))); and
                            ``(iv) a qualified beginning farmer or 
                        rancher (as defined in section 343(a) of the 
                        Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
                        U.S.C. 1991(a))).
                    ``(B) Increased funding.--Subject to paragraph (2), 
                in the case of a producer described in subparagraph 
                (A), the Secretary may increase the amount that would 
                otherwise be provided to the producer under this 
                subsection--
                            ``(i) up to 90 percent of the cost of 
                        certification described in paragraph (1)(A); 
                        and
                            ``(ii) up to 75 percent of the cost of 
                        practices and equipment described in paragraph 
                        (1)(B).
    ``(d) Reporting Requirements.--Not later than March 1 of each year, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the requests by, 
disbursements to, and expenditures for each State under the program 
during the applicable and previous fiscal year, including the number of 
producers and handlers served by the program in the previous fiscal 
year.
    ``(e) Funding.--
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
        Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out the 
        program $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022, 
        to remain available until expended.
            ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out the program $10,000,000 for 
        each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.''.

SEC. 5. NATIONAL ORGANIC CERTIFICATION COST-SHARE PROGRAM.

    (a) Elimination of Directed Delegation.--Section 10606(a) of the 
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 6523(a)) is 
amended by striking ``(acting through the Agricultural Marketing 
Service)''.
    (b) Funding.--Section 10606 of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 6523) is amended by striking 
subsection (d) and inserting the following:
    ``(d) Mandatory Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this 
section $11,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022, to 
remain available until expended.''.

SEC. 6. LIVESTOCK, DAIRY, AND POULTRY SUPPLY CHAIN INFRASTRUCTURE 
              GRANTS AND LOANS.

    Subtitle D of title III of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1981 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:

``SEC. 379I. LIVESTOCK, DAIRY, AND POULTRY SUPPLY CHAIN INFRASTRUCTURE.

    ``(a) Definition of Small Processing Facility.--In this section, 
the term `small processing facility' means--
            ``(1) with respect to an establishment that is subject to 
        the requirements of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 
        601 et seq.), a small establishment that is eligible to be 
        selected under section 501(b) of that Act (21 U.S.C. 683(b)); 
        or
            ``(2) a selected establishment (as defined in section 31(a) 
        of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 472(a))).
    ``(b) Assistance.--The Secretary may provide grants or make or 
insure loans under any of the programs authorized by this title, the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), or the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), as the 
Secretary determines to be appropriate, to assist farmers and rural 
businesses and cooperatives to maintain or increase the production, 
aggregation, processing, distribution, and marketing of value-added, 
niche, or regionally-marketed meat, dairy, and poultry products.
    ``(c) Priority.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall 
give priority to grants or loans that will help increase or enhance the 
availability and geographic distribution of State- and Department of 
Agriculture-inspected small processing facilities.''.

SEC. 7. GEOGRAPHIC PREFERENCE AND IDENTIFICATION FOR SCHOOL FOOD.

    Section 9(j) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1758(j)) is amended by striking paragraph (3) and inserting 
the following:
            ``(3) allow institutions receiving funds under this Act and 
        the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), 
        including the Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable 
        Program--
                    ``(A) to use a geographic preference for the 
                procurement of unprocessed agricultural products, both 
                locally grown and locally raised; or
                    ``(B) to use locally grown, locally raised, or 
                locally caught as a product specification.''.

SEC. 8. HARVESTING HEALTH PROGRAM.

    The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 30. HARVESTING HEALTH PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
                    ``(A) an emergency feeding organization (as defined 
                in section 201A of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 
                1983 (7 U.S.C. 7501)), in partnership with--
                            ``(i) a hospital;
                            ``(ii) a Federally-qualified health center 
                        (as defined in section 1905(l)(2) of the Social 
                        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)(2)));
                            ``(iii) a hospital or clinic operated by 
                        the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
                            ``(iv) a health care provider group;
                    ``(B) an entity authorized under the supplemental 
                nutrition assistance program that is--
                            ``(i) a farmers' market;
                            ``(ii) a community-supported agricultural 
                        entity;
                            ``(iii) a cooperative;
                            ``(iv) a local public benefit corporation;
                            ``(v) a nonprofit organization; or
                            ``(vi) a retail food store;
                    ``(C) a State or local government agency, in 
                partnership with an entity described in any of clauses 
                (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (A); and
                    ``(D) an entity described in any of clauses (i) 
                through (iv) of subparagraph (A), in partnership with--
                            ``(i) an emergency feeding organization (as 
                        defined in section 201A of the Emergency Food 
                        Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7501));
                            ``(ii) an entity described in subparagraph 
                        (B); or
                            ``(iii) a State or local government agency.
            ``(2) Pilot project.--The term `pilot project' means a 
        pilot project described in subsection (b)(1).
            ``(3) Produce prescription program.--The term `produce 
        prescription program' means a program--
                    ``(A) under which fresh fruits and vegetables are 
                prescribed to individuals or households who are at-risk 
                due to health status or income; and
                    ``(B) that may provide--
                            ``(i) financial incentives for individuals 
                        described in paragraph (1) to purchase fruits 
                        and vegetables;
                            ``(ii) education resources on nutrition to 
                        those individuals; and
                            ``(iii) accessible locations for those 
                        individuals to procure fresh fruits and 
                        vegetables.
    ``(b) Pilot Projects.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination with the 
        heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall award to 
        eligible entities grants to conduct pilot projects to 
        demonstrate and evaluate the impact of produce prescription 
        programs on low-income individuals, households in areas with 
        persistent poverty, and households with existing diet-related 
        health issues, including whether the produce prescription 
        program--
                    ``(A) reduces individual and household food 
                insecurity;
                    ``(B) provides support for local and regional 
                agriculture and economic development;
                    ``(C) increases domestic consumption of produce; 
                and
                    ``(D) reduces health care use and associated costs.
            ``(2) Applications.--An eligible entity desiring a grant 
        under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary an 
        application at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
        information as the Secretary may require, including--
                    ``(A) a description of the methods by which the 
                pilot project will target the produce prescription 
                program to low-income individuals and households with 
                existing diet-related health issues;
                    ``(B) a description of how the pilot project will 
                screen and recruit low-income individuals and 
                households with existing diet-related health issues;
                    ``(C) a description of how the pilot project will 
                evaluate program participants and partners with respect 
                to the issues described in subparagraphs (A) through 
                (D) of paragraph (1);
                    ``(D) a description of how the pilot project will 
                provide nutrition education opportunities to 
                participants in the produce prescription program;
                    ``(E) a description of any partners of the pilot 
                project under paragraph (3) and the role of each such 
                partner in implementing and evaluating an effective 
                produce prescription program;
                    ``(F) documentation of the necessary partnership 
                agreements with the relevant State Medicaid agency or 
                other appropriate entity for the purpose of evaluating 
                the effectiveness of the produce prescription program 
                in reducing health care use and associated costs; and
                    ``(G) any data requested by the Secretary to 
                analyze the impact of the pilot project.
            ``(3) Partnerships.--In carrying out this section, the 
        Secretary may enter into 1 or more memorandums of understanding 
        with Federal agencies, States, and private partners to ensure 
        the effective implementation and evaluation of each pilot 
        project awarded a grant under this section.
    ``(c) Funding.--
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--
                    ``(A) In general.--On October 1, 2017, and on each 
                October 1 thereafter through October 1, 2021, out of 
                any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, 
                the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the 
                Secretary to carry out this section $10,000,000, to 
                remain available until expended.
                    ``(B) Receipt and acceptance.--The Secretary shall 
                be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to 
                carry out this section the funds transferred under 
                subparagraph (A), without further appropriation. 
            ``(2) Discretionary funding.--There is authorized to be 
        appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2018 through 2022.''.

SEC. 9. SENIORS FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM.

    Section 4402 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(7 U.S.C. 3007) is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by inserting ``and veterans'' 
        after ``seniors'';
            (2) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), and 
        (f) as subsections (c), (e), (f), (g), and (h), respectively;
            (3) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Low-income.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                term `low-income', with respect to seniors and 
                veterans, shall have the meaning given the term by the 
                Secretary.
                    ``(B) Application.--The Secretary shall apply the 
                definition of the term `low-income' equally with 
                respect to seniors and veterans.
            ``(2) Minimally processed.--The term `minimally processed', 
        with respect to a product, means processing that does not 
        fundamentally alter the product.
            ``(3) Veteran.--The term `veteran' has the meaning given 
        the term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
    ``(b) Funding.--
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
        Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out and 
        expand a seniors and veterans farmers' market nutrition program 
        under this section not less than $50,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2018 through 2022.
            ``(2) Discretionary funding.--There is authorized to be 
        appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2018 through 2022.
            ``(3) Use of funds.--Of the funds made available under this 
        subsection for a fiscal year--
                    ``(A) 70 percent of the funds shall be used for the 
                benefit of program recipients who are low-income 
                seniors; and
                    ``(B) 30 percent of the funds shall be used for the 
                benefit of program recipients who are low-income 
                veterans.
            ``(4) Unexpended funds.--To the extent the funds made 
        available under this subsection for a fiscal year are not 
        expended in that fiscal year, the Secretary shall use the 
        remaining funds in a subsequent fiscal year for the same 
        purpose.'';
            (4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                inserting ``and veterans'' after ``seniors'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by inserting ``, minimally processed'' 
                        after ``unprepared''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``and low-income 
                        veterans'' after ``low-income seniors'';
            (5) by inserting after subsection (c) (as so redesignated) 
        the following:
    ``(d) Priorities.--In allocating funds made available under 
subsection (b), the Secretary shall give priority to--
            ``(1) farmers' markets that have an operational seniors and 
        veterans farmers' market program; and
            ``(2) seniors and veterans farmers' market programs in 
        historically underserved communities.''; and
            (6) in each of subsections (e), (f), and (g) (as so 
        redesignated), by inserting ``and veterans'' after ``seniors'' 
        each place it appears.

SEC. 10. FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM.

    Section 413 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7633) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(4), by inserting ``, to promote 
        agricultural education, to raise awareness about the 
        consequences of wasted food, and to encourage the 
        implementation of food recovery initiatives to reduce the 
        quantity of wasted food'' before the semicolon;
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and 
                        where food comes from; and'' and inserting 
                        ``where food comes from, the consequences of 
                        food waste, and food recovery initiatives;'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking the 
                        period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) have the capacity to execute national or 
                regional projects that include 2 or more States.''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Reservation.--The majority of the funds made 
        available to carry out this subsection shall be reserved for 
        grants to projects that--
                    ``(A) are large in scale, as compared to other 
                proposed projects;
                    ``(B) are national or regional in scope; and
                    ``(C) include 2 or more States.''; and
            (3) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``$25,000,000, to 
        remain available until expended'' and inserting ``$5,000,000 
        for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022''.
                                 <all>