§ 5925b. — Organic agriculture research and extension initiative.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC5925b]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 88--RESEARCH
SUBCHAPTER VII--MISCELLANEOUS RESEARCH PROVISIONS
Sec. 5925b. Organic agriculture research and extension
initiative
(a) Competitive specialized research and extension grants authorized
In consultation with the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
Education, and Economics Advisory Board, the Secretary of Agriculture
(referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') may make competitive
grants to support research and extension activities regarding
organically grown and processed agricultural commodities for the
purposes of--
(1) facilitating the development of organic agriculture
production, breeding, and processing methods;
(2) evaluating the potential economic benefits to producers and
processors who use organic methods;
(3) exploring international trade opportunities for organically
grown and processed agricultural commodities;
(4) determining desirable traits for organic commodities;
(5) identifying marketing and policy constraints on the
expansion of organic agriculture; and
(6) conducting advanced on-farm research and development that
emphasizes observation of, experimentation with, and innovation for
working organic farms, including research relating to production and
marketing and to socioeconomic conditions.
(b) Grant types and process, prohibition on construction
Paragraphs (1), (6), (7), and (11) of subsection (b) of section 450i
of this title shall apply with respect to the making of grants under
this section.
(c) Matching funds required
(1) In general
The Secretary shall require the recipient of a grant under this
section to provide funds or in-kind support from non-Federal sources
in an amount at least equal to the amount provided by the Federal
Government.
(2) Waiver authority
The Secretary may waive the matching funds requirement specified
in paragraph (1) with respect to a research project if the Secretary
determines that--
(A) the results of the project, while of particular benefit
to a specified agricultural commodity, are likely to be
applicable to agricultural commodities generally; or
(B) the project involves a minor commodity, the project
deals with scientifically important research, and the grant
recipient is unable to satisfy the matching funds requirement.
(d) Partnerships encouraged
Following the completion of a peer review process for grant
proposals received under this section, the Secretary may provide a
priority to those grant proposals, found in the peer review process to
be scientifically meritorious, that involve the cooperation of multiple
entities.
(e) Funding
On October 1, 2003, and each October 1 thereafter through October 1,
2007, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the
Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer $3,000,000 to the Secretary of
Agriculture for this section.
(Pub. L. 101-624, title XVI, Sec. 1672B, as added Pub. L. 105-185, title
II, Sec. 244, June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 555; amended Pub. L. 107-171,
title VII, Sec. 7218, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 449.)
Amendments
2002--Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 107-171, Sec. 7218(1)(A), inserted ``,
breeding,'' after ``production''.
Subsec. (a)(4) to (6). Pub. L. 107-171, Sec. 7218(1)(B)-(D), added
pars. (4) to (6).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107-171, Sec. 7218(2), amended heading and text
of subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:
``There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to
carry out this section for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2002.''
Report on Producers and Handlers of Organic Agricultural Products
Pub. L. 107-171, title VII, Sec. 7409, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 461,
provided that: ``Not later than 1 year after funds are made available to
carry out this section, the Secretary [of Agriculture] shall submit to
Congress a report that--
``(1) describes--
``(A) the extent to which producers and handlers of organic
agricultural products are contributing to research and promotion
programs of the Department [of Agriculture];
``(B) the extent to which producers and handlers of organic
agricultural products are surveyed for ideas for research and
promotion;
``(C) ways in which the programs reflect the contributions
made by producers and handlers of organic agricultural products
and directly benefit the producers and handlers; and
``(D) the implementation of initiatives that directly
benefit organic producers and handlers; and
``(2) evaluates industry and other proposals for improving the
treatment of certified organic agricultural products under Federal
marketing orders, including proposals to target additional resources
for research and promotion of organic products and to differentiate
between certified organic and other products in new or existing
volume limitations or other orderly marketing requirements.''
