7 U.S.C. § 7632 — Specialty crop research initiative

Page 2071 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 7632 Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT Pub. L. 107–19, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 107–19, July 10, 2001, 115 Stat. 153, which is not classified to the Code. CODIFICATION 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 L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub.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. AMENDMENTS 2018—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 115–334 substituted ‘‘2023’’ for ‘‘2018’’. 2014—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–79 substituted ‘‘sec- tion—’’ for ‘‘section such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.’’ and added pars. (1) and (2). 2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7511(c)(32), sub- stituted ‘‘Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’’ for ‘‘Administrator of the Coopera- tive State Research, Education, and Extension Serv- ice’’. Subsecs. (b) to (d). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7309, added sub- secs. (b) to (d) and struck out former subsecs. (b) and (c) which related to availability of funds of the Com- modity Credit Corporation for fiscal year 2002 and au- thorization of appropriations for fiscal years 2003 through 2007. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2008 AMENDMENT 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, except as other- wise provided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of this title. Amendment by section 7511(c)(32) of Pub. L. 110–246 effective Oct. 1, 2009, see section 7511(c) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 1522 of this title. DEFINITIONS Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture, see section 7401(1) of Pub. L. 107–171, set out as a note under section 3319b of this title. § 7631. Agricultural biotechnology research and development for developing countries (a) Eligible entity In this section, the term ‘‘eligible entity’’ means— (A) an institution of higher education that offers a curriculum in agriculture or the bio- sciences; (B) a nonprofit organization; or (C) a consortium of for-profit institutions and agricultural research institutions. (b) Grant program (1) In general The Secretary (acting through the Foreign Agricultural Service) shall establish and ad- minister a program to make competitive grants to eligible entities to develop agricul- tural biotechnology for developing countries. (2) Use of funds Funds provided to an eligible entity under this section may be used for projects that use biotechnology to— (A) enhance the nutritional content of ag- ricultural products that can be grown in de- veloping countries; (B) increase the yield and safety of agri- cultural products that can be grown in de- veloping countries; (C) increase the yield of agricultural prod- ucts that are drought- and stress-resistant and that can be grown in developing coun- tries; (D) extend the growing range of crops that can be grown in developing countries; (E) enhance the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables grown in developing countries; (F) develop environmentally sustainable agricultural products that can be grown in developing countries; and (G) develop vaccines to immunize against life-threatening illnesses and other medica- tions that can be administered by con- suming genetically-engineered agricultural products. (c) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this sec- tion for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2012. (Pub. L. 105–185, title IV, § 411, as added Pub. L. 107–171, title VII, § 7505, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 466; amended Pub. L. 110–234, title VII, § 7310, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1243; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VII, § 7310, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2004.) Editorial Notes CODIFICATION 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. AMENDMENTS 2008—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7310, substituted ‘‘2012’’ for ‘‘2007’’. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2008 AMENDMENT 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. § 7632. Specialty crop research initiative (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Citrus disease subcommittee The term ‘‘citrus disease subcommittee’’ means the subcommittee established under section 3123a(a)(2) of this title. (2) Initiative The term ‘‘Initiative’’ means the specialty crop research and extension initiative estab- lished by subsection (b). (3) Specialty crop The term ‘‘specialty crop’’ has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 108–465). (4) Specialty crops committee The term ‘‘specialty crops committee’’ means the committee established under sec- tion 3123a of this title. Page 2072 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 7632 (b) Establishment There is established within the Department a specialty crop research and extension initiative to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by developing and disseminating science-based tools to address needs of specific crops and their regions, including— (1) research in plant breeding, genetics, genomics, and other methods to improve crop characteristics, such as— (A) product, taste, quality, and appear- ance; (B) size-controlling rootstock systems for perennial crops; (C) environmental responses and toler- ances; (D) nutrient management, including plant nutrient uptake efficiency; (E) pest and disease management, includ- ing resistance to pests and diseases resulting in reduced application management strate- gies; and (F) enhanced phytonutrient content; (2) efforts to identify and address threats from pests and diseases, including— (A) threats to specialty crop pollinators; (B) emerging and invasive species; and (C) a more effective understanding and uti- lization of existing natural enemy com- plexes; (3) efforts— (A) to improve production efficiency, han- dling and processing, productivity, and prof- itability over the long term (including spe- cialty crop policy and marketing); and (B) to achieve a better understanding of— (i) the soil rhizosphere microbiome; (ii) pesticide application systems and certified drift-reduction technologies; and (iii) systems to improve and extend the storage life of specialty crops; (4) new innovations and technology, includ- ing— (A) mechanization and automation of labor-intensive tasks in production and processing; (B) technologies that delay or inhibit rip- ening; (C) decision support systems driven by phenology and environmental factors; (D) improved monitoring systems for agri- cultural pests; and (E) effective systems for preharvest and postharvest management of quarantine pests; and (5) methods to prevent, detect, monitor, con- trol, and respond to potential food safety haz- ards in the production and processing of spe- cialty crops, including fresh produce. (c) Eligible entities The Secretary may carry out this section through— (1) Federal agencies; (2) national laboratories; (3) colleges and universities; (4) research institutions and organizations; (5) private organizations or corporations; (6) State agricultural experiment stations; (7) individuals; or (8) groups consisting of 2 or more entities de- scribed in paragraphs (1) through (7). (d) Review of proposals In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall award competitive grants on the basis of— (1) a scientific peer review conducted by a panel of subject matter experts from Federal agencies, non-Federal entities, and the spe- cialty crop industry; and (2) a review and ranking for merit, rel- evance, and impact conducted by a panel of specialty crop industry representatives for the specific specialty crop. (e) Consultation Each fiscal year, before conducting the sci- entific peer review described in paragraph (1) of subsection (d) and the merit and relevancy re- view described in paragraph (2) of such sub- section, the Secretary shall consult with the specialty crops committee regarding such re- views. The committee shall provide the Sec- retary— (1) in the first fiscal year in which that con- sultation occurs, any recommendations for conducting such reviews in such fiscal year; and (2) in any subsequent fiscal year in which such consultation occurs— (A) an assessment of the procedures and objectives used by the Secretary for such re- views in the previous fiscal year; (B) any recommendations for such reviews for the current fiscal year; and (C) any comments on grants awarded under subsection (d) during the previous fis- cal year. (f) Report 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 on— (1) the results of the consultations with the specialty crops committee (and subcommit- tees thereof) conducted under subsection (e) of this section and subsection (g) of section 3123a of this title; (2) the specialty crops committee’s (and sub- committees thereof) recommendations, if any, provided to the Secretary during such con- sultations; and (3) the specialty crops committee’s (and sub- committees thereof) review of the grants awarded under subsection (d) and (j), as appli- cable, in the previous fiscal year. (g) Administration (1) In general With respect to grants awarded under this section, the Secretary shall seek and accept proposals for grants. (2) Term The term of a grant under this section may not exceed 10 years. (3) Matching requirement (A) In general An entity receiving a grant under this sec- tion shall provide non-Federal matching Page 2073 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 7632 funds (including funds from an agricultural commodity promotion, research, and infor- mation program) equal to not less than the amount of the grant. (B) In-kind support Non-Federal matching funds described in subparagraph (A) may include in-kind sup- port. (4) Other conditions The Secretary may set such other conditions on the award of a grant under the Initiative as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (h) Priorities In making grants under the Initiative, the Secretary shall provide a higher priority to projects that— (1) are multistate, multi-institutional, or multidisciplinary; and (2) include explicit mechanisms to commu- nicate results to producers and the public. (i) Buildings and facilities Funds made available under this section shall not be used for the construction of a new build- ing or facility or the acquisition, expansion, re- modeling, or alteration of an existing building or facility (including site grading and improve- ment, and architect fees). (j) Emergency citrus disease research and exten- sion program (1) Establishment and purpose The Secretary shall establish a competitive research and extension grant program to com- bat diseases of citrus under which the Sec- retary awards competitive grants to eligible entities— (A) to conduct scientific research and ex- tension activities, technical assistance, and development activities to combat citrus dis- eases and pests, both domestic and invasive, which pose imminent harm to the United States citrus production and threaten the future viability of the citrus industry, in- cluding huanglongbing and the Asian Citrus Psyllid; and (B) to provide support for the dissemina- tion and commercialization of relevant in- formation, techniques, and technologies dis- covered pursuant to research and extension activities funded through— (i) the emergency citrus disease research and extension program; or (ii) other research and extension projects intended to solve problems caused by cit- rus production diseases and invasive pests. (2) Priority In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to grants that address the research and extension prior- ities established pursuant to subsection (g)(4) of section 3123a of this title. (3) Coordination When developing the proposed research and extension agenda and budget under subsection (g)(2) of section 3123a of this title for the funds made available under this subsection for a fis- cal year, the citrus disease subcommittee shall— (A) seek input from Federal and State agencies and other entities involved in cit- rus disease response; and (B) take into account other public and pri- vate citrus-related research and extension projects and the funding for such projects. (4) Nonduplication The Secretary shall ensure that funds made available to carry out the emergency citrus disease research and extension activities under this subsection shall be in addition to and not supplant funds made available to carry out other citrus disease activities car- ried out by the Department of Agriculture in consultation with State agencies. (5) Authorization of appropriations In addition to the amounts reserved under subsection (k)(1)(C), there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018. (6) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Citrus The term ‘‘citrus’’ means edible fruit of the family Rutaceae, including any hybrid of such fruits and products of such hybrids that are produced for commercial purposes in the United States. (B) Citrus producer The term ‘‘citrus producer’’ means any person that is engaged in the domestic pro- duction and commercial sale of citrus in the United States. (C) Emergency citrus disease research and extension program The term ‘‘emergency citrus disease re- search and extension program’’ means the emergency citrus research and extension grant program established under this sub- section. (k) Funding (1) Mandatory funding (A) Fiscal years 2008 through 2012 Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Cor- poration, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this section $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012, from which activi- ties under each of paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (b) shall be allocated not less than 10 percent. (B) Subsequent funding Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Cor- poration, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this section $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal year thereafter. (C) Reservation For each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018, the Secretary shall reserve not less than $25,000,000 of the funds made available under subparagraph (B) to carry out the program established under subsection (j). (D) Availability of funds Funds reserved under subparagraph (C) shall remain available and reserved for the Page 2074 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 7632 purpose described in such subparagraph until expended. (2) Authorization of appropriations for fiscal years 2014 through 2023 In addition to funds made available under paragraph (1), there is authorized to be appro- priated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023. (3) Fiscal year 2013 There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2013. (4) Transfer Of the funds made available to the Secretary under paragraph (1) for fiscal year 2008 and au- thorized for use for payment of administrative expenses under section 3315(a)(3) of this title, the Secretary shall transfer, upon the date of enactment of this section, $200,000 to the Of- fice of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Sub- stances of the Environmental Protection Agency for use in conducting a meta-analysis relating to methyl bromide. (5) Availability Funds made available pursuant to this sub- section for a fiscal year shall remain available until expended to pay for obligations incurred in that fiscal year. (Pub. L. 105–185, title IV, § 412, as added Pub. L. 110–234, title VII, § 7311(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1243, and Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VII, § 7311(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2004; amended Pub. L. 112–240, title VII, § 701(e)(2), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2364; Pub. L. 113–79, title VII, §§ 7128(b)(3)(B), 7306, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 879, 888; Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, §§ 7305, 7614(b)(3)(B), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4815, 4836.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT The date of enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (k)(4), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–246, which was approved June 18, 2008. CODIFICATION Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical sections. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246. AMENDMENTS 2018—Subsec. (b)(1)(B) to (F). Pub. L. 115–334, § 7305(a)(1), added subpar. (B) and redesignated former subpars. (B) to (E) as (C) to (F), respectively. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 115–334, § 7305(a)(2), substituted ‘‘including—’’ and subpars. (A) to (C) for ‘‘including threats to specialty crop pollinators;’’. Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 115–334, § 7305(a)(3), substituted ‘‘efforts—’’ for ‘‘efforts’’, inserted subpar. (A) designa- tion before ‘‘to improve’’, and added subpar. (B). Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 115–334, § 7305(a)(4), substituted ‘‘including—’’ and subpars. (A) to (E) for ‘‘including im- proved mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening; and’’. Subsec. (g)(3), (4). Pub. L. 115–334, § 7614(b)(3)(B), added par. (3) and redesignated former par. (3) as (4). Subsec. (k)(2). Pub. L. 115–334, § 7305(b), substituted ‘‘2023’’ for ‘‘2018’’ in heading and text. 2014—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(1), added pars. (1) and (4) and redesignated former pars. (1) and (2) as (2) and (3), respectively. Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(2)(A), substituted ‘‘genomics, and other methods’’ for ‘‘and genomics’’ in introductory provisions. Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(2)(B), inserted ‘‘handling and processing,’’ after ‘‘production effi- ciency,’’. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(3), substituted ‘‘this section’’ for ‘‘the Initiative’’ in introductory provi- sions. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(4), added subsec. (d) and struck out former subsec. (d). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall award grants on a competitive basis.’’ Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(6), added subsec. (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (g). Subsec. (e)(3), (4). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7128(b)(3)(B), redes- ignated par. (4) as (3) and struck out former par. (3). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘The Sec- retary shall require the recipient of a grant under this section to provide funds or in-kind support from non- Federal sources in an amount that is at least equal to the amount provided by the Federal Government.’’ Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(6), added subsec. (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (h). Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(5), redesignated sub- sec. (e) as (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (i). Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(7)(A), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘With respect to grants awarded under subsection (d), the Secretary shall— ‘‘(A) seek and accept proposals for grants; ‘‘(B) determine the relevance and merit of proposals through a system of peer and merit review in accord- ance with section 7613 of this title; and ‘‘(C) award grants on the basis of merit, quality, and relevance.’’ Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(7)(B), substituted ‘‘the Initiative’’ for ‘‘this section’’. Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(8), substituted ‘‘the Initiative’’ for ‘‘this section’’ in introductory provi- sions. Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(5), redesignated subsec. (f) as (h). Former subsec. (h) redesignated (k). Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(5), redesignated sub- sec. (g) as (i). Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(10), added subsec. (j). Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(5), redesignated sub- sec. (h) as (k). Subsec. (k)(1). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(9)(A), struck out ‘‘for fiscal years 2008 through 2012’’ after ‘‘funding’’ in par. heading, designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted subpar. heading, and added subpars. (B) to (D). Subsec. (k)(2). Pub. L. 113–79, § 7306(9)(B), substituted ‘‘2014 through 2018’’ for ‘‘2008 through 2012’’ in heading and text. 2013—Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 112–240, § 701(e)(2)(A), sub- stituted ‘‘Mandatory funding for fiscal years 2008 through 2012’’ for ‘‘In general’’ in heading. Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 112–240, § 701(e)(2)(B), inserted ‘‘for fiscal years 2008 through 2012’’ after ‘‘appropria- tions’’ in heading. Subsec. (h)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 112–240, § 701(e)(2)(C), (D), added par. (3) and redesignated former pars. (3) and (4) as (4) and (5), respectively. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT Amendment by section 7614(b)(3)(B) of Pub. L. 115–334 applicable to grants, cooperative agreements, or other awards made after Dec. 20, 2018, with matching funds requirement in effect on Dec. 20, 2018, to continue to apply to such grant, cooperative agreement, or other award, see section 7614(c) of Pub. L. 115–334, set out as a note under section 3151 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2013 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 112–240 effective Sept. 30, 2012, see section 701(j) of Pub. L. 112–240, set out in a 1-Year Page 2075 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 7633 Extension of Agricultural Programs note under section 8701 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE Enactment 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 a note under section 8701 of this title. MECHANIZATION AND AUTOMATION FOR SPECIALTY CROPS Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7610, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4830, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2018], the Sec- retary [of Agriculture] shall conduct a review of the programs of the Department of Agriculture that affect the production or processing of specialty crops. ‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The review under subsection (a) shall identify— ‘‘(1) programs that currently are, or previously have been, effectively used to accelerate the develop- ment and use of automation or mechanization in the production or processing of specialty crops; and ‘‘(2) programs that may be more effectively used to accelerate the development and use of automation or mechanization in the production or processing of spe- cialty crops. ‘‘(c) STRATEGY.—With respect to programs identified under subsection (b), the Secretary shall develop and implement a strategy to accelerate the development and use of automation and mechanization in the pro- duction or processing of specialty crops.’’ EMERGENCY CITRUS DISEASE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TRUST FUND Pub. L. 115–334, title XII, § 12605, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 5006, as amended by Pub. L. 118–22, div. B, title I, § 102(d)(8)(D), Nov. 17, 2023, 137 Stat. 118, provided that: ‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF CITRUS.—In this section, the term ‘citrus’ means edible fruit of the family Rutaceae, in- cluding any hybrid of that fruit and any product of that hybrid that is produced for commercial purposes in the United States. ‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF TRUST FUND.—There is estab- lished in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund, to be known as the Emergency Citrus Disease Re- search and Development Trust Fund (referred to in this section as the ‘Citrus Trust Fund’), consisting of such amounts as shall be transferred to the Citrus Trust Fund pursuant to subsection (d). ‘‘(c) USE OF FUND.—From amounts in the Citrus Trust Fund, the Secretary shall, beginning in fiscal year 2019, carry out the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program in section 412(j) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632(j)). ‘‘(d) FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall transfer to the Citrus Trust Fund $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2024, to remain available until expended.’’ COORDINATION OF PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES Pub. L. 110–234, title VII, § 7311(b), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1245, and Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VII, § 7311(b), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2006, provided that: ‘‘In car- rying out the amendment made by this section [enact- ing this section], the Secretary [of Agriculture] shall ensure that the Division Chief of the applicable Re- search, Education, and Extension Office established under section 251 of the Department of Agriculture Re- organization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) coordinates projects and activities under this section to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that unnecessary du- plication of effort is eliminated or minimized.’’ [Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical provisions. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of this title.] § 7633. Food and agriculture service learning program (a) In general Subject to the availability of appropriations under subsection (e), the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and working in consulta- tion with other appropriate Federal agencies that oversee national service programs, shall ad- minister a competitively awarded food and agri- culture service learning grant program (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Program’’) to increase knowledge of agriculture and improve the nutri- tional health of children. (b) Purposes The purposes of the Program are— (1) to increase capacity for food, garden, and nutrition education within host organizations or entities and school cafeterias and in the classroom; (2) to complement and build on the efforts of the farm to school programs implemented under section 18(g) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769(g)); (3) to complement efforts by the Department and school food authorities to implement the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the school breakfast program established by section 1773 of title 42; (4) to carry out activities that advance the nutritional health of children and nutrition education in elementary schools and sec- ondary schools (as those terms are defined in section 7801 of title 20); and (5) to foster higher levels of community en- gagement and support the expansion of na- tional service and volunteer opportunities. (c) Grants (1) In general In carrying out the Program, the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture shall make competitive grants to eligible enti- ties that carry out the purposes described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (b). (2) Priorities In making grants under this section, the Secretary may consider projects that are car- ried out by entities that— (A) have a proven track record in carrying out the purposes described in subsection (b); (B) work in underserved rural and urban communities; (C) teach and engage children in experien- tial learning about agriculture, gardening, nutrition, cooking, and where food comes from; and (D) facilitate a connection between ele- mentary schools and secondary schools and agricultural producers in the local and re- gional area. (d) Accountability (1) In general The Secretary may require a partner organi- zation or other qualified entity to collect and report any data on the activities carried out under the Program, as determined by the Sec- retary.