§ 2662. — Programs authorized.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC2662]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 59--RURAL FIRE PROTECTION, DEVELOPMENT, AND SMALL FARM RESEARCH
AND EDUCATION
SUBCHAPTER II--RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL FARM RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
Sec. 2662. Programs authorized
The Secretary of Agriculture may conduct, in cooperation and
coordination with colleges and universities, the following programs to
carry out the purposes and achieve the goals of this subchapter.
(a) Rural development extension programs
Rural development extension programs shall consist of the
collection, interpretation, and dissemination of useful information and
knowledge from research and other sources to units of multistate
regional agencies, State, county, municipal, and other units of
government, multicounty planning and development districts,
organizations of citizens contributing to community and rural
development, businesses, Indian tribes on Federal or State reservations
or other federally recognized Indian tribal groups, and industries that
employ or may employ people in rural areas. The rural development
extension programs shall also promote coordinated and integrated rural
community initiatives that advance and empower capacity building through
leadership development, entrepreneurship, business development and
management training, and strategic planning to increase jobs, income,
and quality of life in rural communities. These programs also shall
include technical services and educational activities, including
instruction for persons not enrolled as students in colleges or
universities, to facilitate and encourage the use and practical
application of this information. These programs may also include
feasibility studies and planning assistance.
(b) Rural development research
Rural development research shall consist of research,
investigations, and basic feasibility studies in any field or discipline
that may develop principles, facts, scientific and technical knowledge,
new technology, and other information that may be useful to agencies of
Federal, State, and local government, industries in rural areas, Indian
tribes on Federal and State reservations or other federally recognized
Indian tribal groups, and other organizations involved in community and
rural development programs and activities in planning and carrying out
such programs and activities or otherwise be practical and useful in
achieving the purposes and goals of this subchapter.
(c) Small farm research programs
Small farm research programs shall consist of programs of research
to develop new approaches for initiating and upgrading small farm
operations through management techniques, agricultural production
techniques, farm machinery technology, new products, new marketing
techniques, and small farm finance; to develop new enterprises that can
use labor, skills, or natural resources available to the small farm
family; or that will help to increase the quality and availability of
services and facilities needed by the small farm family.
(d) Small farm extension programs
Small farm extension programs shall consist of extension programs to
improve small farm operations, including management techniques,
agricultural production techniques, farm machinery technology, marketing
techniques and small farm finance; to increase use by small farm
families of existing services offered by the Department of Agriculture
and other public and private agencies and organizations; to assist small
farm families in establishing and operating cooperatives for the purpose
of improving their family income from farming or other economic
activities; to increase the quality and availability of services and
facilities needed by small farm families; and to develop new enterprises
that can use labor, skills, or natural resources available to the small
farm family.
(e) Special grants programs
Special grants programs shall consist of extension and research
programs to strengthen research and education on national and regional
issues in rural development, including the assessment of alternative
policies and strategies for rural development and balanced growth; to
develop alternative strategies for national and regional investment, and
the creation of employment, in rural areas; to develop alternative
energy policies to meet rural development needs; and to strengthen rural
development programs of agencies of the Department of Agriculture and
those in other Federal departments and agencies.
(f), (g) Repealed. Pub. L. 104-127, title VII, Sec. 792(a), title VIII,
Sec. 871, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1152, 1175
(h) Rural development extension work
(1) National program
The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a national program,
to be administered by the Extension Service, to provide rural
citizens with training in, technical and management assistance
regarding, and educational opportunities to enhance their knowledge
of--
(A) beginning businesses through entrepreneurship;
(B) the procedures necessary to establish new businesses in
rural areas;
(C) self-employment opportunities in rural areas;
(D) the uses of modern telecommunications and computer
technologies;
(E) business and financial planning; and
(F) such other training, assistance, and educational
opportunities as the Secretary determines are necessary to carry
out the program established under this subsection.
(2) Leadership abilities
The program established under this subsection shall provide
assistance designed to increase the leadership abilities of
residents in rural areas. Such assistance shall include--
(A) information relevant to the development of community
goals;
(B) instruction regarding the methods by which State or
Federal funding for rural development projects might be
obtained;
(C) instruction regarding the successful writing of
applications for loan or grant funds from government and private
sources;
(D) an updated listing of State, Federal, and other economic
development programs available to rural areas; and
(E) such other training, information, and assistance as the
Secretary determines necessary to increase the leadership
abilities of residents in rural areas.
(3) Catalog of programs
The National Rural Information Center Clearinghouse of the
National Agricultural Library, in cooperation with the Extension
Service in each State, should develop, maintain, and provide to each
community, and make accessible to any other interested party, a
catalog of available State, Federal, or private programs that
provide leadership training or other information or services similar
or complementary to the training or services required by this
subsection. Such catalog should include, at a minimum, the following
entities within the State that provide such training or services:
(A) Any rural electric cooperative.
(B) Any nonprofit company development corporation.
(C) Any economic development district that serves a rural
community.
(D) Any nonprofit subsidiary of any private entity.
(E) Any nonprofit organization whose principal purpose is to
promote economic development in rural areas.
(F) Any investor or publicly owned electric utility.
(G) Any small business development center or small business
investment company.
(H) Any regional development organization.
(I) Any vocational or technical school.
(J) Any Federal, State, or local government agency or
department.
(K) Any other entity that the Secretary deems appropriate.
The extension service in each State should include in the catalog
information on the specific training or services provided by each
entity in the catalog.
(4) Employee training
The Secretary shall provide training for appropriate State
extension service employees, assigned to programs other than rural
development, to ensure that such employees understand the
availability of rural development programs in their respective
States and the availability of Extension Service staff qualified to
provide to rural citizens and to State extension staff training and
materials for technical, management, and educational assistance.
(5) Coordination of assistance
The Secretary shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that
assistance provided under this subsection is coordinated with and
delivered in cooperation with similar services or assistance
provided by other Federal agencies or programs for rural residents.
(i) Rural health and safety education programs
(1) Programs authorized
(A) Individual and family health education
The Secretary may make grants for the establishment of
individual and family health education programs that shall
provide individuals and families with--
(i) information concerning the value of good health;
(ii) information to increase the individual or families
motivation to take more responsibility for their own health;
(iii) access to health promotion activities; and
(iv) training for volunteers and health services
providers concerning health promotion and health care
services, in cooperation with the Department of Health and
Human Services.
(B) Farm safety education
The Secretary may make grants for the establishment of farm
safety education programs that shall provide information and
training to farm workers, timber harvesters, and farm families
concerning safety in the work place, including information and
training concerning--
(i) the reduction of occupational injury and death
rates;
(ii) the reduction and prevention of exposure to farm
chemicals;
(iii) the reduction of agricultural respiratory diseases
and dermititis; \1\
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\1\ So in original. Probably should be ``dermatitis;''.
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(iv) the reduction and prevention of noise induced
hearing loss;
(v) the occupational rehabilitation of farmers and
timber harvesters with physical disabilities; and
(vi) farm accident rescue procedures.
(C) Rural health leadership development
The Secretary, in consultation with the Office of Rural
Health Policy of the Department of Health and Human Services,
may make grants to academic medical centers or land grant
colleges and universities, or any combination thereof, for the
establishment of rural health leadership development education
programs that shall assist rural communities in developing
health care services and facilities that will provide the
maximum benefit for the resources invested and assist community
leaders and public officials in understanding their roles and
responsibilities relative to rural health services and
facilities, including--
(i) community decisions regarding funding for and
retention of rural hospitals;
(ii) rural physician and allied health professionals
recruitment and retention;
(iii) the aging rural population and senior services
required to care for the population;
(iv) the establishment and maintenance of rural
emergency medical services systems; and
(v) the application of computer-assisted capital
budgeting decision aids for rural health services and
facilities.
(2) Coordination of programs
Educational programs conducted with grants awarded under this
subsection shall be coordinated with the State offices of rural
health and other appropriate programs of the Department of Health
and Human Services.
(3) Dissemination of information
Educational programs conducted with grants awarded under this
subsection shall provide leadership within the State for the
dissemination of appropriate rural health and safety information
resources possessed by the Rural Information Center established at
the National Agricultural Library.
(4) Procedures and limitations
The Secretary shall establish policies, procedures and
limitations that shall apply to States or entities described in
paragraph (1)(C) that desire to receive a grant under this
subsection. In States with land-grant colleges and universities that
are eligible to receive funds under the Act of July 2, 1862 (7
U.S.C. 301 et seq.), and the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321 et
seq.), including Tuskegee University, and universities which receive
Rural Health Research Center grants, such eligible institutions
shall mutually determine the type of rural health and safety
education program needed in the State within which such institutions
reside.
(5) Limitations on authorization of appropriations
For grants under this subsection, there are authorized to be
appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1991, $10,000,000 for fiscal
year 1992, $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1993, and $20,000,000 for
fiscal year 1994 and each subsequent fiscal year. Amounts
appropriated under this subsection shall remain available until
expended.
(Pub. L. 92-419, title V, Sec. 502, as added Pub. L. 97-98, title XIV,
Sec. 1444(a), Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1323; amended Pub. L. 99-198,
title XIV, Sec. 1440(a), Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1560; Pub. L. 100-219,
Sec. 2, Dec. 29, 1987, 101 Stat. 1456; Pub. L. 101-624, title XXIII,
Secs. 2346, 2349, 2389(a)-(c)(1), 2390(b)(1), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat.
4032, 4037, 4053-4055; Pub. L. 102-237, title IV, Sec. 403(a), title
VII, Sec. 704, Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1863, 1881; Pub. L. 104-127,
title VII, Sec. 792(a), title VIII, Secs. 871, 886, Apr. 4, 1996, 110
Stat. 1152, 1175, 1180.)
References in Text
Act of July 2, 1862, referred to in subsec. (i)(4), is act July 2,
1862, ch. 130, 12 Stat. 503, as amended, popularly known as the ``First
Morrill Act'', which is classified generally to subchapter I (Sec. 301
et seq.) of chapter 13 of this title. For complete classification of
this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 301 of
this title and Tables.
Act of August 30, 1890, referred to in subsec. (i)(4), is act Aug.
30, 1890, ch. 841, 26 Stat. 417, as amended, popularly known as the
``Agricultural College Act of 1890'' and also as the ``Second Morrill
Act'', which is classified generally to subchapter II (Sec. 321 et seq.)
of chapter 13 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to
the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 321 of this title
and Tables.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 2662, Pub. L. 92-419, title V, Sec. 502, Aug. 30,
1972, 86 Stat. 671; Pub. L. 95-113, title XIV, Sec. 1440, Sept. 29,
1977, 91 Stat. 1005, related to programs authorization and cooperation
and coordination with colleges and universities, prior to repeal by Pub.
L. 97-98, title XIV, Sec. 1444(a), Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1326.
Amendments
1996--Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104-127, Sec. 886, inserted after first
sentence ``The rural development extension programs shall also promote
coordinated and integrated rural community initiatives that advance and
empower capacity building through leadership development,
entrepreneurship, business development and management training, and
strategic planning to increase jobs, income, and quality of life in
rural communities.''
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 104-127, Sec. 792(a), struck out subsec. (f),
which related to competitive grants for financially stressed farmers,
dislocated farmers, and rural families.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 104-127, Sec. 871, struck out subsec. (g),
which authorized establishment of Extension Service rural economic and
business development program to enable States or counties to employ
specialists as Cooperative Extension Service staff to assist individuals
in creating new businesses, or to assist existing businesses.
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 104-127, Sec. 871, struck out subsec. (j),
which authorized program to award competitive grants to carry out rural
development research.
1991--Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102-237, Sec. 403(a)(2)(A), redesignated
subsec. (b), relating to rural development extension work, as (h).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 102-237, Sec. 403(a)(1), amended heading
generally and in par. (2) substituted ``until'' for ``during the period
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on''.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 102-237, Sec. 403(a)(2), redesignated subsec.
(b), relating to rural development extension work, as (h), redesignated
former subsec. (h), relating to rural health and safety education
programs, as (i) and former subsec. (h), relating to research grants, as
(j), and moved such subsecs. to appear in proper order.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 102-237, Sec. 403(a)(2)(B), (D), redesignated
subsec. (h), relating to rural health and safety education programs, as
(i) and moved such subsec. to appear in proper order.
Subsec. (i)(1)(C). Pub. L. 102-237, Sec. 704(a), added subpar. (C).
Subsec. (i)(4). Pub. L. 102-237, Sec. 704(b), inserted ``or entities
described in paragraph (1)(C)'' after ``to States''.
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 102-237, Sec. 403(a)(2)(C), (D), redesignated
subsec. (h), relating to research grants, as (j) and moved such subsec.
to appear in proper order.
1990--Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101-624, Sec. 2346, added subsec. (b),
relating to rural development extension work, following subsec. (g).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101-624, Sec. 2389(c)(1), substituted
``Competitive'' for ``Special'' in heading.
Subsec. (f)(1)(A). Pub. L. 101-624, Sec. 2389(b)(1), substituted
``competitive grants for programs that meet the criteria specified in
subparagraph (B) to develop counseling, retraining, and educational''
for ``special grants for programs to develop educational, retraining,
and counseling''.
Subsec. (f)(1)(B). Pub. L. 101-624, Sec. 2389(b)(3), (4), added
subpar. (B), struck out heading, introductory provisions, and cl. (i) of
former subpar. (B), and redesignated cls. (ii) to (viii) of former
subpar. (B) as cls. (i) to (vii) of subpar. (D). Prior to amendment,
introductory provisions and cl. (i) read as follows: ``Such programs
shall provide the following services:
``(i) Clinical outreach counseling and crisis management
assistance through appropriate State officials.''
Subsec. (f)(1)(C). Pub. L. 101-624, Sec. 2389(b)(2), (4), added
subpar. (C) and redesignated former subpar. (C) as (E).
Subsec. (f)(1)(D). Pub. L. 101-624, Sec. 2389(b)(2), (4), added
heading and introductory provisions of subpar. (D) and redesignated
former subpar. (D) as (F).
Subsec. (f)(1)(D)(i) to (vii). Pub. L. 101-624, Sec. 2389(b)(3)(B),
redesignated former subpar. (B)(ii) to (viii) as subpar. (D)(i) to
(vii).
Subsec. (f)(1)(D)(viii). Pub. L. 101-624, Sec. 2389(b)(5), added cl.
(viii).
Subsec. (f)(1)(E). Pub. L. 101-624, Sec. 2389(b)(2), redesignated
former subpar. (C) as (E).
Subsec. (f)(1)(F). Pub. L. 101-624, Sec. 2389(b)(6), substituted
``shall work with the appropriate State office of rural health, State
department or agency of mental health, and other'' for ``is encouraged
to work with'' and ``an annual comprehensive plan'' for ``a
comprehensive plan'', struck out ``special'' before ``grant funds'', and
inserted at end ``For recipients in a State to be eligible for a grant
under this subsection in any fiscal year, the Cooperative Extension
Service within the State must develop and sign a Memorandum of Agreement
with the appropriate State department or agency of mental health and
other State agencies as may be appropriate to carry out the
comprehensive plan. Such agreement and plan must emphasize the
development and delivery of counseling and outreach programs as provided
under subparagraph (B).''
Pub. L. 101-624, Sec. 2389(b)(2), redesignated former subpar. (D) as
(F).
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 101-624, Sec. 2389(a), inserted ``to
eligible applicants in any State applying for such grants'' after
``under paragraph (1)'', and substituted ``1995'' for ``1990''.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 101-624, Sec. 2346, added subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 101-624, Sec. 2349, added subsec. (h) relating
to research grants.
Pub. L. 101-624, Sec. 2390(b)(1), added subsec. (h) relating to
rural health and safety education programs.
1987--Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 100-219 amended subsec. (f) generally.
Prior to amendment, subsec. (f) read as follows:
``(1)(A) The Secretary shall provide special grants for programs to
develop income alternatives for farmers who have been adversely affected
by the current farm and rural economic crisis and those displaced from
farming.
``(B) Such programs shall consist of educational and counseling
services to farmers to--
``(i) assess human and nonhuman resources;
``(ii) assess income earning alternatives;
``(iii) identify resources and opportunities available to the
farmer in the local community, county, and State;
``(iv) implement financial planning and management strategies;
and
``(v) provide linkages to specific resources and opportunities
that are available to the farmer, such as reentering agriculture,
new business opportunities, other off-farm jobs, job search
programs, and retraining skills.
``(C) The Secretary also may provide support to mental health
officials in developing outreach programs in rural areas.
``(2) Grants may be made under paragraph (1) during the period
beginning on December 23, 1985, and ending 3 years after such date.''
1985--Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 99-198 added subsec. (f).
Effective Date
Section effective Dec. 22, 1981, see section 1801 of Pub. L. 97-98,
set out as a note under section 4301 of this title.
Effect of Amendments on Current Grant Recipients
Section 2389(d) of Pub. L. 101-624 provided that 8 States receiving
grants under 7 U.S.C. 2662(f) during fiscal year 1990 could continue to
be eligible to receive grants (in an amount not to exceed the amount
received during that fiscal year) under that section notwithstanding
that such grants be awarded competitively, so long as such States
complied with requirement that not less than one-half of such grant
amount was to be used for clinical outreach counseling and crisis
management assistance, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104-127, title VII,
Sec. 792(b)(1), Apr. 4, 1996, 100 Stat. 1152.
Rural Health Infrastructure Improvement
Section 2391 of Pub. L. 101-624 provided for award of grant for
establishment of project to demonstrate model approach to improving
rural health infrastructure, which was to carry out systematic,
community-based rural health needs assessments, identify and coordinate
available health services resources, improve community infrastructure
through health education and information and leadership development and
training, and develop community generated health improvement strategies,
and further provided for project implementation and limitations on
authorization of appropriations, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104-127,
title VII, Sec. 709, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1112.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in sections 2663, 2665 of this title.
