7 U.S.C. § 348 — Rules and regulations

Page 383 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 349 § 347a. Disadvantaged agricultural areas (a) Congressional findings The Congress finds that there exists special circumstances in certain agricultural areas which cause such areas to be at a disadvantage insofar as agricultural development is con- cerned, which circumstances include the fol- lowing: (1) There is concentration of farm fami- lies on farms either too small or too unproduc- tive or both; (2) such farm operators because of limited productivity are unable to make adjust- ments and investments required to establish profitable operations; (3) the productive capac- ity of the existing farm unit does not permit profitable employment of available labor; (4) be- cause of limited resources, many of these farm families are not able to make full use of current extension programs designed for families oper- ating economic units nor are extension facilities adequate to provide the assistance needed to produce desirable results. (b) Appropriation In order to further the purposes of section 342 of this title in such areas and to encourage com- plementary development essential to the welfare of such areas, there are authorized to be appro- priated such sums as the Congress from time to time shall determine to be necessary for pay- ments to the States on the basis of special needs in such areas as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. (c) Assistance In determining that the area has such special need, the Secretary shall find that it has a sub- stantial number of disadvantaged farms or farm families for one or more of the reasons here- tofore enumerated. The Secretary shall make provisions for the assistance to be extended to include one or more of the following: (1) Inten- sive on-the-farm educational assistance to the farm family in appraising and resolving its prob- lems; (2) assistance and counseling to local groups in appraising resources for capability of improvement in agriculture or introduction of industry designed to supplement farm income; (3) cooperation with other agencies and groups in furnishing all possible information as to ex- isting employment opportunities, particularly to farm families having under-employed work- ers; and (4) in cases where the farm family, after analysis of its opportunities and existing re- sources, finds it advisable to seek a new farming venture, the providing of information, advice, and counsel in connection with making such change. (d) Allocation of funds No more than 10 per centum of the sums avail- able under this section shall be allotted to any one State. The Secretary shall use project pro- posals and plans of work submitted by the State Extension directors as a basis for determining the allocation of funds appropriated pursuant to this section. (e) Appropriation as additional; limitation on amount Sums appropriated pursuant to this section shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for, appropriations otherwise available under this subchapter. The amounts authorized to be appropriated pursuant to this section shall not exceed a sum in any year equal to 10 per centum of sums otherwise appropriated pursuant to this subchapter. (May 8, 1914, ch. 79, § 8, as added Aug. 11, 1955, ch. 798, § 1(a), 69 Stat. 683; amended Pub. L. 87–749, § 1(h), Oct. 5, 1962, 76 Stat. 745.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 8 of act May 8, 1914, was renumbered section 9 and is classified to section 348 of this title. AMENDMENTS 1962—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 87–749 struck out ‘‘, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico’’ before ‘‘on the basis of’’. § 348. Rules and regulations The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to make such rules and regulations as may be nec- essary for carrying out the provisions of this subchapter. (May 8, 1914, ch. 79, § 9, formerly § 8, 38 Stat. 374; June 26, 1953, ch. 157, § 1, 67 Stat. 85; renumbered § 9, Aug. 11, 1955, ch. 798, § 1(b), 69 Stat. 684.) Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 1953—Act June 26, 1953, substituted provisions for rules and regulations for provisions empowering Con- gress to alter, amend, or repeal sections 341 to 343 and 344 to 348 of this title at any time. § 349. ‘‘State’’ defined The term ‘‘State’’ means the States of the Union, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. (May 8, 1914, ch. 79, § 10, as added Pub. L. 87–749, § 1(i), Oct. 5, 1962, 76 Stat. 745; amended Pub. L. 92–318, title V, § 506(h), June 23, 1972, 86 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 99–396, § 9(f), Aug. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 840.) Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 1986—Pub. L. 99–396 amended section generally, ex- panding definition of ‘‘State’’ to include the Northern Mariana Islands. 1972—Pub. L. 92–318 inserted reference to Virgin Is- lands and Guam. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1972 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 92–318 effective after June 30, 1970, see section 506(n) of Pub. L. 92–318, set out as a note under section 326a of this title. CHAPTER 14—AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec. 361. Repealed. 361a. Congressional declaration of purpose; defini- tions. 361b. Congressional statement of policy; re- searches, investigations and experiments.