7 U.S.C. § 5832 — National Training Program

Page 1785 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 5832 (f) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section— (1) such sums as are necessary for fiscal year 2013; and (2) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023. (Pub. L. 101–624, title XVI, § 1628, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3740; Pub. L. 102–237, title IV, § 407(3), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1864; Pub. L. 104–127, title VIII, §§ 860(c)(3), 862(b)(3), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1174; Pub. L. 113–79, title VII, § 7203, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 880; Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7203, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4803.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT This subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a), (c), and (d), was in the original ‘‘this subtitle’’, meaning sub- title B (§§ 1619–1629) of title XVI of Pub. L. 101–624, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3733, which enacted this subchapter, repealed sections 4701 to 4710 of this title, and repealed provisions set out as a note under section 4701 of this title. For complete classification of subtitle B to the Code, see Tables. Chapter 86 of this title, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (d), was in the original ‘‘subtitle G of title XIV’’, mean- ing subtitle G (§§ 1481–1485) of title XIV of Pub. L. 101–624, which was repealed by Pub. L. 105–185, title III, § 302(c), June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 563. AMENDMENTS 2018—Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 115–334 substituted ‘‘2023’’ for ‘‘2018’’. 2014—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 113–79 amended subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.’’ 1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–127, § 862(b)(3), struck out ‘‘section 5881 of this title,’’ before ‘‘and other ap- propriate’’. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–127, § 860(c)(3), substituted ‘‘Natural Resources Conservation Service’’ for ‘‘Advi- sory Council, the Soil Conservation Service,’’. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–127, § 862(b)(3), struck out ‘‘section 5881 of this title,’’ before ‘‘and other appro- priate’’ in introductory provisions. 1991—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–237 substituted ‘‘edu- cational’’ for ‘‘education’’. § 5832. National Training Program (a) In general The Secretary shall establish a National Training Program in Sustainable Agriculture to provide education and training for Cooperative Extension Service agents and other profes- sionals involved in the education and transfer of technical information concerning sustainable agriculture in order to develop their under- standing, competence, and ability to teach and communicate the concepts of sustainable agri- culture to Cooperative Extension Service agents and to farmers and urban residents who need in- formation on sustainable agriculture. (b) Administration The National Training Program shall be orga- nized and administered by the National Insti- tute of Food and Agriculture, in coordination with other appropriate Federal agencies. The Secretary shall designate an individual from the Cooperative Extension Service in each State to coordinate the National Training Program with- in that State. The coordinators shall be respon- sible, in cooperation with appropriate Federal and State agencies, for developing and imple- menting a statewide training program for appro- priate field office personnel. (c) Required training (1) Agricultural agents The Secretary shall ensure that all agricul- tural agents of the Cooperative Extension Service have completed the National Training Program not later than the end of the five- year period beginning on November 28, 1990. Such training may occur at a college or uni- versity located within each State as des- ignated by the coordinator designated under this section. (2) Proof of training Beginning three years after November 28, 1990, the Secretary shall ensure that all new Cooperative Extension Service agents em- ployed by such Service are able to dem- onstrate, not later than 18 months after the employment of such agents, that such agents have completed the training program estab- lished in subsection (a). (d) Regional training centers (1) Designation The Secretary shall designate not less than two regional training centers to coordinate and administer educational activities in sus- tainable agriculture as provided for in this section. (2) Training program Such centers shall offer intensive instruc- tional programs involving classroom and field training work for extension specialists and other individuals who are required to transmit technical information. (3) Prohibition on construction Such centers shall be located at existing fa- cilities, and no funds appropriated to carry out this part shall be used for facility construc- tion. (4) Administration Such centers should be administered by enti- ties that have a demonstrated capability re- lating to sustainable agriculture. The Sec- retary should consider utilizing existing enti- ties with expertise in sustainable agriculture to assist in the design and implementation of the training program under paragraph (2). (5) Coordination of resources Such centers shall make use of information generated by the Department of Agriculture and the State agricultural experiment sta- tions, and the practical experience of farmers, especially those cooperating in on-farm dem- onstrations and research projects, in carrying out the functions of such centers. (e) Competitive grants (1) In general The Secretary shall establish a competitive grants program to award grants to organiza- Page 1786 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 5832 1 See References in Text note below. tions, including land-grant colleges and uni- versities, to carry out sustainable agricultural training for county agents and other individ- uals that need basic information concerning sustainable agriculture practices. (2) Short courses The purpose of the grants made available under paragraph (1) shall be to establish, in various regions in the United States, training programs that consist of workshops and short courses designed to familiarize participants with the concepts and importance of sustain- able agriculture. (f) Regional specialists To assist county agents and farmers imple- ment production practices developed under this subchapter, chapter 86 of this title,1 and other appropriate research programs of the Depart- ment, regional sustainable agriculture special- ists may be designated within each State who shall report to the State coordinator of that State. The specialists shall be responsible for de- veloping and coordinating local dissemination of sustainable agriculture information in a manner that is useful to farmers in the region. (g) Information availability The Cooperative Extension Service within each State shall transfer information developed under this subchapter, chapter 86 of this title,1 and other appropriate research programs of the Department through a program that shall— (1) assist in developing farmer-to-farmer in- formation exchange networks to enable farm- ers making transitions to more sustainable farming systems to share ideas and draw on the experiences of other farmers; (2) help coordinate and publicize a regular series of sustainable agriculture farm tours and field days within each State; (3) plan for extension programming, includ- ing extensive farmer input and feedback, in the design of new and ongoing research en- deavors related to sustainable agriculture; (4) provide technical assistance to individual farmers in the design and implementation of farm management plans and strategies for making a transition to more sustainable agri- cultural systems; (5) consult and work closely with the Soil Conservation Service and the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service in car- rying out the information, technical assist- ance, and related programs; (6) develop, coordinate, and direct special education and outreach programs in areas highly susceptible to groundwater contamina- tion, linking sustainable agriculture informa- tion with water quality improvement informa- tion; (7) develop information sources relating to crop diversification, alternative crops, on- farm food or commodity processing, and on- farm energy generation; (8) establish a well-water testing program designed to provide those persons dependent upon underground drinking water supplies with an understanding of the need for regular water testing, information on sources of test- ing, and an understanding of how to interpret test results and provide for the protection of underground water supplies; (9) provide specific information on water quality practices developed through the re- search programs in chapter 86 of this title; 1 (10) provide specific information on nutrient management practices developed through the research programs in chapter 86 of this title; 1 and (11) provide information concerning whole- farm management systems integrating re- search results under this subchapter, chapter 86 of this title,1 and other appropriate research programs of the Department. (h) ‘‘Appropriate field office personnel’’ defined For purposes of this section, the term ‘‘appro- priate field office personnel’’ includes employees of the National Institute of Food and Agri- culture, Soil Conservation Service, and other appropriate Department of Agriculture per- sonnel, as determined by the Secretary, whose activities involve the provision of agricultural production and conservation information to ag- ricultural producers. (i) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the National Training Program $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2023. (Pub. L. 101–624, title XVI, § 1629, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3741; Pub. L. 102–237, title IV, § 407(4), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1864; Pub. L. 104–127, title VIII, § 862(b)(4), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1174; Pub. L. 105–185, title VI, § 606(f), June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 604; Pub. L. 110–234, title VII, § 7511(c)(17), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1269; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VII, § 7511(c)(17), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2030; Pub. L. 113–79, title VII, § 7204, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 880; Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7204, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4803.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT Chapter 86 of this title, referred to in subsecs. (f) and (g), was in the original ‘‘subtitle G of title XIV’’, mean- ing subtitle G (§§ 1481–1485) of title XIV of Pub. L. 101–624, which was repealed by Pub. L. 105–185, title III, § 302(c), June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 563. 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. (i). Pub. L. 115–334 substituted ‘‘2023’’ for ‘‘2018’’. 2014—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 113–79 amended subsec. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each fiscal year to carry out the National Training Program.’’ 2008—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7511(c)(17)(A), sub- stituted ‘‘the National Institute of Food and Agri- culture’’ for ‘‘the Extension Service’’ in first sentence. Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7511(c)(17)(B), sub- stituted ‘‘National Institute of Food and Agriculture’’ for ‘‘Extension Service’’. Page 1787 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 5842 1998—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 105–185 struck out ‘‘section 5881 of this title,’’ before ‘‘and other appropriate re- search’’ in introductory provisions. 1996—Subsecs. (f), (g)(11). Pub. L. 104–127 struck out ‘‘section 5881 of this title,’’ before ‘‘and other appro- priate’’. 1991—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 102–237 substituted ‘‘en- sure’’ for ‘‘insure’’. 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)(17) 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. SUBCHAPTER II—NATIONAL GENETIC RESOURCES PROGRAM § 5841. Establishment, purpose, and functions of National Genetic Resources Program (a) In general The Secretary of Agriculture shall provide for a National Genetic Resources Program. (b) Purpose The program is established for the purpose of maintaining and enhancing a program providing for the collection, preservation, and dissemina- tion of genetic material of importance to Amer- ican food and agriculture production. (c) Administration The program shall be administered by the Sec- retary through the Agricultural Research Serv- ice. (d) Functions The Secretary, acting through the program, shall— (1) provide for the collection, classification, preservation, and dissemination of genetic ma- terial of importance to the food and agri- culture sectors of the United States; (2) conduct research on the genetic mate- rials collected and on methods for storage and preservation of those materials; (3) coordinate the activities of the program with similar activities occurring domestically; (4) unless otherwise prohibited by law, have the right to make available on request, with- out charge and without regard to the country from which the request originates, the genetic material that the program assembles; (5) expand the types of genetic resources in- cluded in the program to develop a comprehen- sive genetic resources program which includes plants (including silvicultural species), ani- mal, aquatic, insect, microbiological, and other types of genetic resources of importance to food and agriculture, as resources permit; (6) develop and implement a national stra- tegic germplasm and cultivar collection as- sessment and utilization plan that takes into consideration the resources and research nec- essary to address the significant backlog of characterization and maintenance of existing accessions considered to be critical to preserve the viability of, and public access to, germplasm and cultivars; and (7) engage in such other activities as the Secretary determines appropriate and as the resources of the program permit. (Pub. L. 101–624, title XVI, § 1632, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3744; Pub. L. 104–127, title VIII, § 832(a), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1168; Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7205(a), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4803.) Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 2018—Subsec. (d)(6), (7). Pub. L. 115–334 added par. (6) and redesignated former par. (6) as (7). 1996—Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 104–127 added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: ‘‘make available upon request, without charge and without re- gard to the country from which such request origi- nates, the genetic material which the program assem- bles;’’. § 5842. Appointment and authority of Director (a) Director There shall be at the head of the program an official to be known as the Director of the Na- tional Genetic Resources Program who shall be appointed by the Secretary. The Director shall perform such duties as are assigned to the Direc- tor by this subchapter and such other duties as the Secretary may prescribe. (b) Administrative authority In carrying out this subchapter, the Secretary, acting through the Director— (1) shall be responsible for the overall direc- tion of the program and for the establishment and implementation of general policies re- specting the management and operation of ac- tivities within the program; (2) may secure for the program consultation services and advice of persons from the United States and abroad; (3) may accept voluntary and uncompen- sated services; and (4) may perform such other administrative functions as the Secretary determines are needed to effectively carry out this sub- chapter. (c) Duties The Director shall— (1) advise participants on the program ac- tivities; (2) coordinate, review and facilitate the sys- tematic identification and evaluation of, rel- evant information generated under the pro- gram; (3) promote the effective transfer of the in- formation described in paragraph (2) to the ag- riculture and food production community and to entities that require such information; and (4) monitor the effectiveness of the activities described in paragraph (3). (d) Biennial reports The Director shall prepare and transmit to the Secretary and to the Congress a biennial report containing— (1) a description of the activities carried out by and through the program and the policies