§ 7625. — Thomas Jefferson Initiative for Crop Diversification.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC7625]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 103--AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION REFORM
SUBCHAPTER II--NEW AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION
INITIATIVES
Sec. 7625. Thomas Jefferson Initiative for Crop Diversification
(a) Initiative required
The Secretary of Agriculture shall provide for a research initiative
(to be known as the ``Thomas Jefferson Initiative for Crop
Diversification'') for the purpose of conducting research and
development, in cooperation with other public and private entities, on
the production, marketing, and efficient use of new and nontraditional
crops needed to strengthen and diversify the agricultural production
base of the United States.
(b) Research and education efforts
The initiative shall include research and education efforts
regarding new and nontraditional crops designed--
(1) to identify and overcome agronomic barriers to profitable
production;
(2) to identify and overcome other production and marketing
barriers; and
(3) to develop processing and utilization technologies for new
and nontraditional crops.
(c) Purposes
The purposes of the initiative are--
(1) to develop a focused program of research and development at
the regional and national levels to overcome barriers to the
development of--
(A) new crop opportunities for agricultural producers; and
(B) related value-added enterprises in rural communities;
and
(2) to ensure a broad-based effort encompassing research,
education, market development, and support of entrepreneurial
activity leading to increased agricultural diversification.
(d) Establishment of initiative
The Secretary shall coordinate the initiative through a nonprofit
center or institute that will coordinate research and education programs
in cooperation with other public and private entities. The Secretary
shall administer research and education grants made under this section.
(e) Regional emphasis
(1) Required
The Secretary shall support development of multistate regional
efforts in crop diversification.
(2) Site-specific crop development efforts
Of funding made available to carry out the initiative, not less
than 50 percent shall be used for regional efforts centered at
colleges and universities in order to facilitate site-specific crop
development efforts.
(f) Eligible grantee
The Secretary may award funds under this section to colleges or
universities, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, or individuals.
(g) Administration
(1) Grants and contracts
Grants awarded through the initiative shall be selected on a
competitive basis.
(2) Private businesses
The recipient of a grant may use a portion of the grant funds
for standard contracts with private businesses, such as for test
processing of a new or nontraditional crop.
(3) Terms
The term of a grant awarded through the initiative may not
exceed 5 years.
(4) Matching funds
The Secretary shall require the recipient of a grant awarded
through the initiative to contribute an amount of funds from non-
Federal sources that is at least equal to the amount provided by the
Federal Government.
(h) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary
to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2007.
(Pub. L. 105-185, title IV, Sec. 405, June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 572; Pub.
L. 107-171, title VII, Secs. 7130, 7207(b), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 435,
440.)
Amendments
2002--Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107-171, Sec. 7207(b), substituted
``production, marketing, and efficient use'' for ``production and
marketing''.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 107-171, Sec. 7130, substituted ``2007'' for
``2002''.
