[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1840 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1840
To address the impact of climate change on agriculture, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 28, 2023
Ms. Pingree (for herself, Ms. Kuster, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Smith of
Washington, Mr. Carson, Ms. Bonamici, Ms. Barragan, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr.
Garcia of Illinois, Mr. Cartwright, Ms. Stansbury, Mr. Connolly, Ms.
Norton, Mr. Beyer, Ms. Strickland, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Lieu, Mrs. Hayes,
Mr. Khanna, Ms. Brownley, Ms. Schrier, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Pocan, Mr.
Huffman, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Kilmer, and Ms. Porter) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and
in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, Energy
and Commerce, House Administration, and Oversight and Accountability,
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of
the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To address the impact of climate change on agriculture, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Agriculture
Resilience Act of 2023''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definition of Secretary.
TITLE I--NATIONAL GOALS
Sec. 101. National goals.
Sec. 102. Action plan.
TITLE II--RESEARCH
Sec. 201. Research, extension, and education purpose.
Sec. 202. Regional hubs for risk adaptation and mitigation to climate
change.
Sec. 203. Sustainable agriculture research and education resilience
initiative.
Sec. 204. Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network.
Sec. 205. Public breed and cultivar research.
Sec. 206. ARS Climate Scientist Career Development Program.
Sec. 207. Agricultural Climate Adaptation and Mitigation through AFRI.
Sec. 208. Specialty crop research initiative.
Sec. 209. Integrated pest management.
Sec. 210. Appropriate technology transfer for rural areas program.
TITLE III--SOIL HEALTH
Sec. 301. Crop insurance.
Sec. 302. Environmental quality incentives program.
Sec. 303. Conservation stewardship program.
Sec. 304. State assistance for soil health.
Sec. 305. Funding and administration.
Sec. 306. Conservation compliance.
Sec. 307. National and regional agroforestry centers.
TITLE IV--FARMLAND PRESERVATION AND FARM VIABILITY
Sec. 401. Local Agriculture Market Program.
Sec. 402. National organic certification cost-share program.
Sec. 403. Farmland Protection Policy Act.
Sec. 404. Agricultural conservation easement program.
TITLE V--PASTURE-BASED LIVESTOCK
Sec. 501. Animal raising claims.
Sec. 502. Processing resilience grant program.
Sec. 503. Conservation of private grazing land.
Sec. 504. Conservation reserve program.
Sec. 505. Alternative manure management program.
TITLE VI--ON-FARM RENEWABLE ENERGY
Sec. 601. Rural Energy For America Program.
Sec. 602. Agrivoltaic systems.
Sec. 603. AgSTAR program.
TITLE VII--FOOD LOSS AND WASTE
Subtitle A--Food Date Labeling
Sec. 701. Definitions.
Sec. 702. Quality dates and discard dates.
Sec. 703. Misbranding.
Sec. 704. Regulations.
Sec. 705. Delayed applicability.
Subtitle B--Other Provisions
Sec. 711. Composting as conservation practice.
Sec. 712. Amendments to Federal Food Donation Act.
Sec. 713. Grants for composting and anaerobic digestion food waste-to-
energy projects.
Sec. 714. School food waste reduction grant program.
Sec. 715. Support for national media campaigns to decrease incidence of
food waste.
Sec. 716. Food waste research program.
SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF SECRETARY.
In this Act, the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
Agriculture.
TITLE I--NATIONAL GOALS
SEC. 101. NATIONAL GOALS.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of the goals established under this title
is to prevent climate change from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius of
warming above preindustrial levels through a national greenhouse gas
emission reduction effort.
(b) National Goals.--The national goals for the agricultural sector
shall be to achieve--
(1) not less than a 50-percent reduction in net greenhouse
gas emissions, as compared to those levels during calendar year
2010, by not later than December 31, 2030; and
(2) net zero emissions by not later than December 31, 2040.
(c) Subgoals.--To achieve the national goals described in
subsection (b), there are established the following subgoals:
(1) Research.--The total Federal investment in public food
and agriculture research and extension should--
(A) at a minimum, as compared to that total Federal
investment for fiscal year 2023--
(i) triple by not later than December 31,
2030; and
(ii) quadruple by not later than December
31, 2040; and
(B) strongly focus on climate change adaptation and
mitigation, soil health and carbon sequestration,
nutrient and manure management to curb nitrous oxide
and methane emissions, agroforestry, advanced grazing
management and crop-livestock integration, perennial
production systems, on-farm and food system energy
efficiency and renewable energy production, farmland
preservation and viability, food waste reduction, and
any other related areas, as determined by the
Secretary.
(2) Soil health.--The United States should--
(A) immediately become a member of the Partners
Forum and the Consortium of the 4 per 1000 Initiative,
hosted by the Consultative Group for International
Agricultural Research, with the aim of increasing total
soil carbon stocks by 0.4 percent annually to reduce
carbon in the atmosphere, restore soil health and
productivity, and thereby improve food security;
(B) sufficiently expand adoption of soil health
systems and practices (including diverse crop
rotations, cover cropping, and conservation tillage),
perennial crop and grass-based livestock production
systems, agroforestry, composting, advanced nutrient
budgeting and biologically based nutrient management,
advanced grazing management (including silvopasture and
management-intensive rotational grazing), and
integrated crop-livestock systems--
(i) to reduce nitrous oxide emissions from
agricultural soils, as compared to those levels
during calendar year 2023--
(I) by 25 percent by not later than
December 31, 2030; and
(II) by 75 percent by not later
than December 31, 2040;
(ii) to increase soil carbon stocks by 0.4
percent annually on at least 50 percent of
agricultural land by not later than December
31, 2030; and
(iii) to meet or exceed the threshold
described in clause (ii) on all agricultural
land by not later than December 31, 2040;
(C) expand implementation of regionally appropriate
cover crops and other continual living cover so that--
(i) at least 50 percent of cropland acres
include 1 or more cover crops or other
continual living cover in the rotations of the
cropland acres by not later than December 31,
2030;
(ii) at least 75 percent of cropland acres
include 1 or more cover crops or other
continual living cover in the rotations of the
cropland acres by not later than December 31,
2040;
(iii) cropland acres are covered by crops
(including forages and hay crops), cover crops,
or residue for an average of 75 percent of each
calendar year by not later than December 31,
2030; and
(iv) cropland acres are covered by crops
(including forages and hay crops), cover crops,
or residue for an average of 85 percent of each
calendar year by not later than December 31,
2040; and
(D) encourage conversion of at least--
(i) 15 percent of annual grain crop acres,
as in use on the date of enactment of this Act,
to agroforestry, perennial grazing, perennial
grain crops, or other perennial production
systems by not later than December 31, 2030;
and
(ii) 30 percent of annual grain crop acres,
as in use on the date of enactment of this Act,
to agroforestry, perennial grazing, perennial
grain crops, or other perennial production
systems by not later than December 31, 2040.
(3) Farmland preservation.--
(A) 2030 goal.--The rate of conversion of
agricultural land to development, and the rate of
conversion of grassland to cropping, should be reduced
by at least 80 percent, as compared to those rates for
calendar year 2023 by not later than December 31, 2030.
(B) 2040 goal.--There should be no conversion of
agricultural land to development, or grassland to
cropping, by December 31, 2040.
(4) Pasture-based livestock.--The livestock sector should--
(A) establish advanced grazing management,
including management-intensive rotational grazing, on
at least--
(i) 50 percent of all grazing land by not
later than December 31, 2030; and
(ii) 100 percent of all grazing land by not
later than December 31, 2040;
(B)(i) reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to
feeding of ruminants by at least--
(I) \1/3\ by not later than December 31,
2030; and
(II) \1/2\ by not later than December 31,
2040; and
(ii) accomplish the reductions described in clause
(i) by--
(I) reducing nongrazing feeding of
ruminants;
(II) growing feed grains and forages with
soil health and nutrient management practices
that minimize net greenhouse gas emissions from
cropland; and
(III) designing livestock feed mixtures and
supplements to mitigate enteric methane
emissions;
(C) re-integrate livestock and crop production
systems at farm, local, and regional levels to
facilitate environmentally sound management and field
application of manure and reduce the need for long-term
manure storage by increasing acreage on individual
farms under crop-livestock integrated management by at
least--
(i) 100 percent as compared to calendar
year 2017 levels by not later than December 31,
2030; and
(ii) 300 percent as compared to calendar
year 2017 levels by not later than December 31,
2040; and
(D) reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from
manure management by--
(i) immediately ceasing building any new or
expanded waste lagoons for confined animal
feeding operations; and
(ii) converting--
(I) by not later than December 31,
2030, at least \1/3\ of wet manure
handling and storage to non-digester
dairy or livestock methane management
methods (as defined in section 1240T(a)
of the Food Security Act of 1985); and
(II) by not later than December 31,
2040, at least \2/3\ of wet manure
handling and storage to non-digester
dairy or livestock methane management
methods (as so defined).
(5) On-farm renewable energy.--The agricultural sector
should--
(A) implement energy audits and energy efficiency
improvements on at least--
(i) 50 percent of farms by not later than
December 31, 2030; and
(ii) 100 percent of farms by not later than
December 31, 2040;
(B) expand on-farm clean renewable energy
production to a level that is at least--
(i) double the 2017 level by not later than
December 31, 2030; and
(ii) triple the 2017 level by not later
than December 31, 2040; and
(C) install and manage on-farm renewable energy
infrastructure in a manner that does not--
(i) compromise the climate resilience and
greenhouse gas mitigation goals of this Act; or
(ii) adversely impact farmland, soil, and
water resources, or food production.
(6) Food loss and waste.--Consistent with the Food Waste
Challenge launched by the Department of Agriculture and the
Environmental Protection Agency in June 2013, and the national
food loss and waste goal announced in September 2015, the food
and agricultural sector should commit to--
(A) at least a 50-percent reduction in food loss
and waste by not later than December 31, 2030;
(B) at least a 75-percent reduction in food loss
and waste by not later than December 31, 2040; and
(C) in a manner consistent with the Food Recovery
Hierarchy established by the Environmental Protection
Agency, diverting from landfills through composting and
other means at least--
(i) 50 percent of unavoidable food waste
and food processing byproducts by not later
than December 31, 2030; and
(ii) 90 percent of unavoidable food waste
and food processing byproducts by not later
than December 31, 2040.
SEC. 102. ACTION PLAN.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall--
(1) develop a plan (referred to in this section as the
``plan''), which may involve actions to be taken by other
Federal agencies, to make significant and rapid progress to
achieve the national goals described in section 101; and
(2) make the plan available for public comment for a period
of not less than 90 days.
(b) Actions.--Actions under the plan shall--
(1) include issuing regulations, providing incentives,
carrying out research and development programs, and any other
actions the Secretary determines are necessary to achieve the
national goals described in section 101; and
(2) be designed--
(A) to fully implement the provisions of this Act
and the amendments made by this Act;
(B) to provide benefits for farmers and ranchers,
rural communities, small businesses, and consumers;
(C) to improve public health, resilience, and
environmental outcomes, especially for rural and low-
income households, communities of color, Tribal and
indigenous communities, and communities that are
disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate
change, air and water pollution, and other resource
degradation; and
(D) to prioritize investments that reduce emissions
of greenhouse gases and sequester carbon while
simultaneously helping to solve other pressing agro-
environmental resource concerns, increase farming and
ranching opportunities, create quality jobs, improve
farmworker working conditions and living standards, and
make communities more resilient to the effects of
climate change.
(c) Final Plan.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
(1) finalize the plan, taking into account any public
comments received on the plan;
(2) begin implementation of the plan; and
(3) submit the plan to Congress.
(d) Updates.--Beginning 2 years after the date on which the
Secretary submits the plan to Congress under subsection (c)(3), and not
less frequently than biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall--
(1) review and revise the plan to ensure that the plan is
sufficient to achieve the national goals described in section
101; and
(2) submit the revised plan to Congress.
(e) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which
the Secretary submits the plan to Congress under subsection (c)(3), and
annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress, and make
publicly available, an annual report that describes, for the period
covered by the report--
(1) actions taken pursuant to the plan and the effects of
those actions;
(2) the conclusion of the most recent review of the plan
conducted under subsection (d), if applicable; and
(3) a summary of any revisions made to the plan under that
subsection.
TITLE II--RESEARCH
SEC. 201. RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION PURPOSE.
Section 1402 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (8) and (9) as paragraphs
(9) and (11), respectively;
(2) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
``(8) accelerate the ability of agriculture and the food
system of the United States to first achieve net-zero carbon
emissions and then be carbon negative by removing additional
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere;'';
(3) in paragraph (9) (as so redesignated), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(4) by inserting after paragraph (9) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(10) develop food systems that are healthful,
sustainable, equitable, and resilient to extreme weather, other
impacts of climate change, and other potential intersecting
global and national disruptions; and''; and
(5) in paragraph (11) (as so redesignated), in subparagraph
(B), by inserting ``and delivering to agricultural producers''
after ``improving''.
SEC. 202. REGIONAL HUBS FOR RISK ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION TO CLIMATE
CHANGE.
Title IV of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education
Reform Act of 1998 is amended by inserting before section 404 (7 U.S.C.
7624) the following:
``SEC. 401. REGIONAL HUBS FOR RISK ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION TO CLIMATE
CHANGE.
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a national
network of regional hubs for risk adaptation and mitigation to climate
change to provide to farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and other
agricultural and natural resource managers--
``(1) science-based, region-specific, cost-effective, and
practical information and program support for science-informed
decision making in light of the increased costs, opportunities,
risks, and vulnerabilities associated with a changing climate;
and
``(2) access to assistance to implement that decision
making.
``(b) Eligibility.--An entity shall be eligible to be selected as a
regional hub under subsection (a) if the entity is any office of the
Agricultural Research Service, the Forest Service, or any other agency
of the Department of Agriculture that the Secretary determines to be
appropriate.
``(c) Administration.--
``(1) In general.--The network established under subsection
(a) shall be designated and administered jointly by the
Agricultural Research Service and the Forest Service, in
partnership with other Federal agencies, including the
following:
``(A) Within the Department of Agriculture, the
following agencies:
``(i) The Natural Resources Conservation
Service.
``(ii) The Farm Service Agency.
``(iii) The Risk Management Agency.
``(iv) The Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service.
``(v) The National Institute of Food and
Agriculture.
``(B) The Department of the Interior.
``(C) The Department of Energy.
``(D) The Environmental Protection Agency.
``(E) The United States Geological Survey.
``(F) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
``(G) The National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
``(H) Such other Federal agencies as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
``(2) Partners.--The regional hubs established under
subsection (a) shall work in close partnership with other
stakeholders and partners, including--
``(A) colleges and universities (as defined in
section 1404 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3103));
``(B) cooperative extension services (as defined in
that section);
``(C) State agricultural experiment stations (as
defined in that section);
``(D) private entities;
``(E) State, local, and regional governments;
``(F) Indian Tribes;
``(G) agriculture and commodity organizations;
``(H) nonprofit and community-based organizations;
and
``(I) other partners, as determined by the
Secretary.
``(d) Responsibilities.--A regional hub established under
subsection (a) shall--
``(1) offer tools, strategic management options, and
technical support to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners
to help those farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners mitigate
and adapt to climate change;
``(2) direct farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to
Federal agencies that can provide program support to enable
those farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to implement
science-informed management practices that address climate
change;
``(3) determine how climate and weather projections will
impact the agricultural and forestry sectors;
``(4) provide periodic regional assessments of risk and
vulnerability in the agricultural and forestry sectors--
``(A) to help farmers, ranchers, and forest
landowners better understand the potential direct and
indirect impacts of climate change; and
``(B) to inform the United States Global Change
Research Program established under section 103 of the
Global Change Research Act of 1990 (15 U.S.C. 2933);
``(5) provide to farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and
rural communities outreach, education, and extension on
science-based risk management through partnerships with the
land-grant colleges and universities (as defined in section
1404 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)),
cooperative extension services (as defined in that section),
and other entities;
``(6) work with any cooperative extension services (as
defined in section 1404 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977
(7 U.S.C. 3103)), conservation districts, and nongovernmental
organizations involved in farmer outreach in the region served
by the hub to assist producers in developing business plans and
conservation plans that take into account emerging climate risk
science with respect to crop, production, and conservation
system changes that will help producers adapt to a changing
climate; and
``(7) establish, in partnership with programs and projects
carried out under subtitle B of title XVI of the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5801
et seq.), additional partnerships with farmers and nonprofit
and community-based organizations to conduct applied on-farm
research on climate change.
``(e) Priorities.--A regional hub established under subsection (a)
shall prioritize synthesis and dissemination of research and data
collection activities in the following areas:
``(1) Improved measurement and monitoring of--
``(A) soil organic carbon sequestration; and
``(B) total net greenhouse gas impacts of different
farming systems and practices.
``(2) Lifecycle analysis for total net greenhouse gas
emissions related to--
``(A) alternative cropping systems;
``(B) alternative livestock production systems;
``(C) integrated cropping-livestock systems;
``(D) alternative biofuel crop production systems
and biofuel end uses;
``(E) alternative agroforestry practices and
systems; and
``(F) alternative forestry management systems.
``(3) Research and education on--
``(A) optimal soil health management systems and
practices;
``(B) advanced biological nutrient management based
on optimal soil health practices;
``(C) enhanced synergies between crop roots and
soil biota;
``(D) linkages between soil, plant, animal, and
human health;
``(E) adaption and mitigation needs of
stakeholders;
``(F) new crops or new varieties to help producers
be profitable while implementing soil health management
systems and adapting to a changing climate;
``(G) social and economic barriers to stakeholder
adoption of new practices that improve adaptation,
mitigation, and soil sequestration; and
``(H) evaluation and assessment of climate-related
decision tools of the Department of Agriculture.
``(4) Grazing-based livestock management systems to
optimize the net greenhouse gas footprint, including--
``(A) grazing land carbon sequestration;
``(B) reduction of nitrous oxide emissions from
manure deposited on grazing land; and
``(C) mitigation of enteric methane.
``(5) Perennial production systems that sequester carbon,
enhance soil health, and increase resilience, including--
``(A) perennial forages;
``(B) perennial grains; and
``(C) agroforestry.
``(f) Stakeholder Input.--Each regional hub established under
subsection (a)--
``(1) shall solicit input from stakeholders on pressing
needs, important issues, and outreach strategies through a
variety of mechanisms, including regional stakeholder
committees; and
``(2) may partner with stakeholders in conducting research
and developing tools.
``(g) Risk Management.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall appoint a team of
individuals representing the regional hubs established under
subsection (a), partners with those regional hubs, and the Risk
Management Agency to develop recommendations to better account
for--
``(A) climate risk in actuarial tables; and
``(B) soil health and other risk-reducing
conservation activities under the Federal crop
insurance program under the Federal Crop Insurance Act
(7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
``(2) Submission of recommendations.--The team appointed
under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary, on an
iterative basis, but not less frequently than once every 2
years, the recommendations developed by the team under that
paragraph.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2024 through 2028.''.
SEC. 203. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION RESILIENCE
INITIATIVE.
(a) Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.--Section 1619
of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C.
5801) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) increase resilience in the context of a changing
climate and related economic, social, and environmental
shocks.''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``integrated crop
management'' and inserting ``integrated crop
and livestock management system or practice'';
and
(ii) by inserting ``resilience,'' after
``profitability,''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the
following:
``(3) The term `resilience' means, with respect to an
agricultural management system, the ability of that system to
absorb and recover from climate and other disturbances, such
that the system is not impacted by severe shocks.''.
(b) Eligibility of Tribal Colleges To Enter Into Research and
Extension Project Agreements.--Section 1621(b) of the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5811(b)) is
amended by striking ``or Federal or State'' and inserting ``1994
Institutions (as defined in section 532 of the Equity in Educational
Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103-382)),
or Federal, State, or Tribal''.
(c) Agricultural and Food System Resilience Initiative.--
(1) In general.--Section 1627 of the Food, Agriculture,
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5821) is
amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking
``integrated management systems'' and inserting
``agricultural and food system resilience initiative'';
(B) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the
following:
``(a) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--In close conjunction with programs and
projects established under sections 1621 and 1623, the
Secretary shall establish a research, education, extension, and
outreach initiative to increase the resilience and climate
change mitigation potential of agriculture and the food system
in the context of a changing climate and related economic,
social, and environmental shocks, which may include--
``(A) farmer and rancher research and demonstration
grants; and
``(B) the use of an interdisciplinary approach
wherever appropriate.
``(2) Purposes.--The purposes of the initiative established
under paragraph (1) shall be--
``(A) to equip farmers to prepare, adapt, and
transform the farming systems of the farmers when
confronted by shocks and stresses to the agricultural
production and livelihoods of the farmers;
``(B) to support local and regional food systems
that support resilience and enhance local access to and
control over productive resources;
``(C) to encourage producers to adopt practices and
systems that provide living cover year-round throughout
the farm, including through the use of cover crops and
perennial plants in diversified combinations, and that
are designed to support crop, livestock, and crop-
livestock integrated systems that--
``(i) minimize or abate adverse climate and
environmental impacts;
``(ii) increase soil carbon sequestration
and storage;
``(iii) reduce soil erosion and loss of
water and nutrients;
``(iv) enhance soil quality and the
efficient use of on-farm and off-farm inputs;
``(v) reduce dependency on fossil fuels;
and
``(vi) maintain or increase profitability
and long-term productivity;
``(D) to develop knowledge and information and
conduct outreach on living cover systems and practices,
including greater use of perennials, and integrated
crop and livestock management systems and practices to
increase resilience and assist agricultural producers
in the adoption of those systems and practices;
``(E) to facilitate the adoption of year-round
living cover and perennial production systems
supporting whole-farm integrated crop and livestock
management systems and practices through demonstration
projects on individual farms, including small and
limited resource farms, throughout the United States;
and
``(F) to evaluate and recommend appropriate
policies and programs to improve food and agricultural
system resilience.''; and
(C) by striking subsections (b), (c), and (d) and
inserting the following:
``(b) Funding.--
``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this
section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year
thereafter.
``(2) Discretionary funding.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section through the National
Institute of Food and Agriculture $20,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2013 through 2028.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--The chapter heading of chapter 2
of subtitle B of title XVI of the Food, Agriculture,
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5821) is amended
to read as follows: ``AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SYSTEM RESILIENCE
INITIATIVE''.
(d) Technical Guides and Books.--Section 1628 of the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5831) is
amended--
(1) by inserting ``and outreach resources and'' after
``educational'' each place it appears;
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ``Not later than two
years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretary'' and inserting ``The Secretary'';
(3) in subsection (b), by striking the second sentence;
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as
paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate
change;'';
(5) in subsection (e), by striking ``Soil Conservation''
and inserting ``Natural Resources Conservation''; and
(6) in subsection (f)(2), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2028''.
(e) National Training Program.--Section 1629 of the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5832) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (g)--
(A) in paragraph (5), by striking ``Soil
Conservation Service and the Agricultural Stabilization
and Conservation Service'' and inserting ``Natural
Resources Conservation Service and the Farm Service
Agency'';
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (10) and (11) as
paragraphs (11) and (12), respectively; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following;
``(10) develop and provide information concerning climate
change adaptation and mitigation developed under this subtitle
and other research and education programs of the Department;'';
(2) in subsection (h), by striking ``Soil Conservation
Service'' and inserting ``Natural Resources Conservation
Service''; and
(3) in subsection (i), by inserting ``, and $30,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028'' before the period at
the end.
SEC. 204. LONG-TERM AGROECOSYSTEM RESEARCH NETWORK.
Title IV of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education
Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7624 et seq.) is amended by inserting
after section 401 (as added by section 202) the following:
``SEC. 402. LONG-TERM AGROECOSYSTEM RESEARCH NETWORK.
``(a) In General.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary, acting through the
Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service, shall
provide for the establishment and maintenance of a network of
research sites operated by the Agricultural Research Service
for research on the sustainability of agricultural systems in
the United States, to be known as the `Long-Term Agroecosystem
Research Network' (referred to in this section as the
`Network').
``(2) Goals.--The Network shall have the following goals:
``(A) To understand and enhance the sustainability
of agriculture.
``(B) To integrate research projects with common
standardized measurements on multiple agroecosystems
and land uses, including cropland, rangeland, and
pastureland.
``(C) To develop new farming systems, practices,
and technologies to address agricultural challenges and
opportunities, including challenges and opportunities
posed by climate change.
``(b) Activities Described.--The activities of the Network shall
include--
``(1) research conducted for a minimum of 30 years to
develop novel scientific insights at regional and national
scales and evaluate the applicability of and adaptation to
local conditions;
``(2) the establishment and maintenance of multiple sites
or research centers that capture the diversity of agricultural
production systems that function as a network; and
``(3) the coordination, management, and analysis of large-
scale data collection relating to the sustainability of
agricultural systems and the provision of infrastructure to
research sites to allow for analyzing and disseminating that
data.
``(c) Coordination of Research.--The Secretary shall, in carrying
out subsection (a)--
``(1) coordinate long-term agroecological research to
improve understanding within the Department of how
agroecosystems function at the field, regional, and national
scales;
``(2) designate research sites for inclusion in the Network
that are representative of major agricultural regions;
``(3) ensure that each research site included in the
Network conducts experiments with common standardized goals and
methods--
``(A) to increase agricultural productivity and
profitability;
``(B) to enhance agricultural resilience and the
capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change;
``(C) to boost the provision of ecosystem services
from agricultural landscapes; and
``(D) to improve opportunities for rural
communities;
``(4) make data collected at research sites included in the
Network open to researchers and the public whenever
practicable, and integrate data across the network and partner
sites;
``(5) provide infrastructure to research sites included in
the Network for data collection, common measurements, and data
streams that complement other national networks, such as the
National Ecological Observatory Network and the Long-Term
Ecological Research network;
``(6) coordinate with Department of Agriculture Climate
Hubs to share research findings and data insights; and
``(7) collaborate with Department of Agriculture Climate
Hubs to translate research findings into educational, outreach,
and technical assistance materials for agricultural producers.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out activities of the Network under this section
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.''.
SEC. 205. PUBLIC BREED AND CULTIVAR RESEARCH.
(a) In General.--The Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research
Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Definitions.--In this section:
``(A) Conventional breeding.--The term
`conventional breeding' means the development of a new
variety of an organism through controlled mating and
selection without the use of transgenic methods.
``(B) Cultivar.--The term `cultivar' means a
variety of a species of plant that has been
intentionally selected for use in cultivation because
of the improved characteristics of that variety of the
species.
``(C) Public animal breed.--The term `public animal
breed' means an animal breed that is the commercially
available end product of a publicly funded breeding
program that has been sufficiently tested to
demonstrate improved characteristics and stable
performance.
``(D) Public cultivar.--The term `public cultivar'
means a cultivar--
``(i) that is the commercially available
end product of a publicly funded breeding
program that has been sufficiently tested to
demonstrate improved characteristics and stable
performance; and
``(ii) with respect to which, if
intellectual property rights are asserted, the
intellectual property rights are in the form of
plant patents or plant variety protection and
not utility patents.
``(E) Public cultivar or animal breed.--The term
`public cultivar or animal breed' means--
``(i) a public animal breed; and
``(ii) a public cultivar.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(l) Public Breed and Cultivar Development Funding.--
``(1) In general.--Of the total amount of grants made under
the provisions of law described in paragraph (2), the Secretary
shall ensure that not less than $75,000,000 for each fiscal
year is used for competitive research grants that support the
development of public cultivars and animal breeds.
``(2) Applicable programs.--The provisions of law referred
to in paragraph (1) are--
``(A) subsections (a) and (b);
``(B) section 1672B(e) of the Food, Agriculture,
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C.
5925b(e));
``(C) sections 1619 through 1624 of that Act (7
U.S.C. 5801 et seq.);
``(D) any relevant competitive grant program
authorized by section 406 of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C.
7626), as determined by the Secretary; and
``(E) section 412 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 7632).
``(3) Priority.--In making grants under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall give priority to high-potential research
projects that lead to the release of regionally adapted public
cultivars and animal breeds that assist producers in mitigating
and adapting to climate change, including--
``(A) regionally adapted public cultivars and
animal breeds;
``(B) public cultivars and animal breeds bred for
environmental resilience, including resilience to
changing climates, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions,
and sequestering carbon;
``(C) public animal breeds adapted to grazing and
overwintering as appropriate for the applicable
production region;
``(D) public cultivars and animal breeds bred to
enhance the nutritional and health outcomes of local
and Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian
populations;
``(E) public cultivars and animal breeds of
indigenous and place-based importance that are
endangered; and
``(F) public cultivars and animal breeds with
beneficial and compatible characteristics and behaviors
for dual-use renewable energy-agricultural systems.
``(4) Grants.--The Secretary shall ensure that--
``(A) the terms and renewal process for any
competitive grants made under subsection (b) in
accordance with paragraph (1) facilitates the
development and commercialization of public cultivars
and animal breeds through long-term grants not less
than 5 years in length; and
``(B) Tribal consultation occurs to ensure public
cultivar or animal breed development does not infringe
on the abilities of Tribes to maintain culturally
sensitive animal breeds and cultivars.
``(5) Requirement for domestic production.--No person that
receives title to a plant patent or plant variety protection
relating to any public cultivar or animal breed developed using
funds received under this subsection, and no assignee of any
such person, shall grant to any person the exclusive right to
use or sell that public cultivar or animal breed unless that
person agrees that any cultivars or animals embodying the
public cultivar or animal breed or produced through the use of
the public cultivar or animal breed will be produced
substantially in the United States.
``(6) Report.--Not later than October 1 of each year, the
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that provides
information on all public cultivar and animal breeding research
funded by the Department of Agriculture, including--
``(A) a list of public cultivars and animal breeds
developed and released in a commercially available
form;
``(B) areas of high-priority research;
``(C) identified research gaps relating to public
cultivar and animal breed development; and
``(D) an assessment of the state of
commercialization for public cultivars and animal
breeds.''.
(b) Public Breed and Cultivar Research Activities Coordination.--
(1) In general.--Section 251 of the Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) is
amended--
(A) in subsection (e), by adding at the end the
following:
``(7) Public breed and cultivar research activities
coordinator.--
``(A) In general.--The Under Secretary shall
appoint a coordinator within the Office of the Chief
Scientist that reports to the Under Secretary to
coordinate research activities at the Department
relating to the breeding of public cultivars and animal
breeds (as defined in paragraph (3) of subsection (a)
of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research
Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(a))).
``(B) Duties of coordinator.--The coordinator
appointed under subparagraph (A) shall--
``(i) coordinate plant and animal breeding
research activities funded by the Department
relating to the development of public cultivars
and animal breeds;
``(ii)(I) carry out ongoing analysis and
track activities for any Federal research
funding supporting plant and animal breeding
(including any public cultivars and animal
breeds developed with Federal funds); and
``(II) ensure that the analysis and
activities are made available to the public not
later than 60 days after the last day of each
fiscal year;
``(iii) develop a strategic plan that
establishes targets for public cultivar and
animal breed research investments across the
Department to ensure that a diverse range of
crop and animal needs are being met in a timely
and transparent manner, with a strong focus on
delivery of resource-efficient, stress-
tolerant, regionally adapted public cultivar
and animal breeds that--
``(I) help build agricultural
resilience to climate change; and
``(II) support on-farm carbon
sequestration and greenhouse gas
mitigation, nutritional quality, and
other farmer-identified priority
agronomic and market traits;
``(iv) convene a working group to carry out
the coordination functions described in this
subparagraph comprised of individuals who are
responsible for the management, administration,
or analysis of public cultivar and animal
breeding programs within the Department from--
``(I) the National Institute of
Food and Agriculture;
``(II) the Agricultural Research
Service; and
``(III) the Economic Research
Service;
``(v) in order to maximize delivery of
public cultivars and animal breeds, promote
collaboration among--
``(I) the coordinator;
``(II) the working group convened
under clause (iv);
``(III) the advisory council
established under section 1634 of the
Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5843);
``(IV) genetic resource
conservation centers;
``(V) land-grant colleges and
universities (as defined in section
1404 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103));
``(VI) Hispanic-serving
institutions (as defined in section
502(a) of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)));
``(VII) Native American-serving
nontribal institutions (as defined in
section 371(c) of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(c)));
``(VIII) Tribal Colleges and
Universities (as defined in section
316(b) of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b))) and
federally recognized Tribes extension
programs;
``(IX) nongovernmental
organizations with interest or
expertise in public breeding; and
``(X) public and private plant and
animal breeders, including small-scale
organic breeders;
``(vi) convene regular stakeholder
listening sessions to provide input on national
and regional priorities for public cultivar and
animal breed research activities across the
Department; and
``(vii) evaluate and make recommendations
to the Under Secretary on training and resource
needs to meet future breeding challenges.'';
and
(B) in subsection (f)(1)(D)(i), by striking ``(7
U.S.C. 450i(b))'' and inserting ``(7 U.S.C. 3157(b))''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 296(b)(6)(B) of the
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C.
7014(b)(6)(B)) is amended by striking ``Scientist; and'' and
inserting ``Scientist (including the public breed and cultivar
research activities coordinator under subsection (e)(7) of that
section); and''.
(c) Public Breed and Cultivar Development.--Subtitle H of title XVI
of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C.
5921 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 1681. PUBLIC BREED AND CULTIVAR DEVELOPMENT.
``(a) Funding.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the
Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service (referred to in this
section as the `Secretary') and in conjunction with the Director of the
National Genetic Resources Program appointed under section 1633, shall
support the development of public breeds and cultivars (as defined in
paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of the Competitive, Special, and
Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(a))) by Federal
researchers.
``(b) Priority.--In supporting research under subsection (a) using
funds made available pursuant to subsection (d), the Secretary shall
give priority to high-potential research projects that lead to the
release of regionally adapted public breeds and cultivars that assist
producers in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
``(c) Report.--Not later than October 1 of each year, the Secretary
shall submit to Congress a report that provides information on all
public breed and cultivar research funded by the Agricultural Research
Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, including--
``(1) a list of public breeds and cultivars developed and
released in a commercially available form;
``(2) areas of high-priority research;
``(3) identified research gaps relating to public breed and
cultivar development, including newly emerging needs stemming
from climate change; and
``(4) an assessment of the state of commercialization for
breeds and cultivars that have been developed.
``(d) Funding.--Of the funds made available to the Secretary for a
fiscal year, not less than $50,000,000 shall be made available to carry
out this section.''.
SEC. 206. ARS CLIMATE SCIENTIST CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall, in accordance with section
922 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7
U.S.C. 2279c), carry out an internship program within the Agricultural
Research Service for graduate students pursuing a degree or conducting
research relating to climate change and agriculture.
(b) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the
Secretary may use to carry out the program described in subsection (a)
not more than $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.
SEC. 207. AGRICULTURAL CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION THROUGH AFRI.
Subsection (b)(2) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Grant
Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(G) Agricultural climate adaptation and
mitigation.--Agricultural climate adaptation and
mitigation, including--
``(i) strategies for agricultural
adaptation to climate change and drought,
including strategies for small and medium-sized
farms and ranches;
``(ii) on-farm mitigation strategies and
solutions, including infrastructure, equipment,
and ecosystems-based strategies;
``(iii) economic and social costs and
benefits of adopting conservation practices to
mitigate and adapt to climate change;
``(iv) ecosystem services co-benefits of
reducing net greenhouse gas emissions and
adapting to climate change;
``(v) new technologies, methods, and models
to measure and predict greenhouse gas emissions
and soil carbon sequestration; and
``(vi) the intersection of agricultural
production, soil health, climate change, and
human health.''.
SEC. 208. SPECIALTY CROP RESEARCH INITIATIVE.
Section 412 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education
Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
inserting ``, diverse multi-crop production systems,''
after ``specific crops'';
(B) in paragraph (3)(B)(ii), by striking
``pesticide application systems'' and inserting
``ecologically based pest management, pesticide
application systems,'';
(C) in paragraph (4)(E), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(D) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change,
including--
``(A) on-farm mitigation strategies and solutions,
including agricultural ecosystems-based strategies;
``(B) conservation practices and technologies
designed to improve soil health, including practices
and technologies that sequester carbon in soil; and
``(C) breeding research and cultivar development to
help adapt to climate change.''; and
(2) in subsection (g)(3)(A), by striking ``equal to not
less than the amount of the grant'' and inserting ``in an
amount that is equal to not less than 25 percent of the funds
provided through the grant''.
SEC. 209. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT.
Section 406 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education
Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), and (f) as
subsections (f), (g), and (h), respectively;
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
``(d) Emphasis on Climate Resilience.--The Secretary shall ensure
that grants made under this section are, where appropriate, consistent
with the development of food and agricultural systems that improve
climate resilience.
``(e) Ecologically Based Pest Management.--The Secretary shall
ensure that grants made under this section to support pest management
prioritize ecologically based approaches that--
``(1) are effective, affordable, and environmentally sound;
``(2) maintain agricultural productivity and healthy
communities; and
``(3) improve climate resilience.''; and
(3) in subsection (h) (as so redesignated), by striking
``2023'' and inserting ``2028''.
SEC. 210. APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR RURAL AREAS PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--Section 310B(i)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(i)(2)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``, including a beginning farmer or rancher and a veteran
farmer or rancher (as those terms are defined in section
2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a))) and a socially disadvantaged farmer
or rancher (as defined in section 355(e)),'' after
``producers'';
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(3) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E);
(4) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) increase on-farm resilience to extreme
weather by enhancing soil health and adopting other
conservation practices;'';
(5) in subparagraph (E) (as so redesignated), by striking
the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) improve farm viability and strengthen local,
regional, and national supply chains.''.
(b) Implementation.--Section 310B(i)(3) of the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(i)(3)) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(C) Eligibility for and use of other funds.--A
national nonprofit agricultural assistance institution
that receives a grant or enters into a cooperative
agreement under this subsection--
``(i) may not, as a result of that grant or
cooperative agreement, be treated as ineligible
for a grant under any other Federal program;
and
``(ii) may utilize, in accordance with
applicable law, other public and private funds
made available to the institution to expand the
resources and outreach of the program
established under this subsection.''.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 310B(i) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(i)) is
amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection--
``(A) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; and
``(B) $8,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2024
through 2028.''.
TITLE III--SOIL HEALTH
SEC. 301. CROP INSURANCE.
(a) Voluntary Good Farming Practices.--Section 508(a)(3)(A)(iii) of
the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(a)(3)(A)(iii)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``including scientifically'' and inserting
the following: ``including--
``(I) scientifically'';
(2) in subclause (I) (as so designated), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(II) conservation practices and
enhancements that are approved by--
``(aa) the Natural
Resources Conservation Service;
or
``(bb) an agricultural
expert, as determined by the
Secretary.''.
(b) Risk-Reduction Based Discounts.--Section 508(d) of the Federal
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(d)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) Risk-reduction based discount.--
``(A) In general.--Effective beginning with the
2024 reinsurance year, the Corporation may provide a
risk-reduction based premium discount for a producer of
an agricultural commodity who uses risk-reduction
farming practices, as determined by the Corporation in
accordance with subparagraph (B).
``(B) Risk-reduction farming practices.--For
purposes of subparagraph (A), a risk-reduction farming
practice may include any of the following:
``(i) The use of a cover crop.
``(ii) A resource-conserving crop rotation.
``(iii) Management-intensive rotational
grazing.
``(iv) A compost or biochar application.
``(v) An agroforestry or other perennial
production system.
``(vi) Other risk-reducing and soil health-
promoting farming practices, as determined by
the Corporation.''.
(c) Crop Production on Native Sod Applicability.--
(1) Application to certain states.--Section 508(o) of the
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(o)) is amended by
striking paragraph (3).
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)
shall take effect on the first day of the first reinsurance
year that begins after the date that is 1 year after the date
of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 302. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM.
(a) Purposes.--Section 1240 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3839aa) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``and environmental quality'' and inserting ``environmental
quality, and climate change adaptation and mitigation'';
(2) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in subparagraph (C), by adding ``and'' at the
end; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) greenhouse gas emissions reduction and carbon
sequestration;'';
(3) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting ``sequestering
carbon, increasing drought resilience, reducing greenhouse gas
emissions, and'' before ``conserving energy''; and
(4) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``climate change and''
before ``increasing weather volatility''.
(b) Definitions.--Section 1240A of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa-1) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (6)(B)--
(A) in clause (v), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (vii);
and
(C) by inserting after clause (v) the following:
``(vi) greenhouse gas emissions reduction
planning; and'';
(2) in paragraph (7), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``natural resource concern or problem'' and
inserting ``resource concern'';
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (9) and (10) as paragraphs
(10) and (11), respectively; and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:
``(9) Resource concern.--The term `resource concern' means
a natural resource condition of the soil, water, air, plant,
animal, or energy resource base that impairs the sustainability
or intended uses of the resource.''.
(c) Establishment and Administration of Environmental Quality
Incentives Program.--
(1) Payments.--Section 1240B(d)(7)(A) of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(d)(7)(A)) is amended--
(A) in clause (iii), by striking ``; or'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(B) in clause (iv), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(v) increases carbon sequestration or
reduces greenhouse gas emissions.''.
(2) Allocation of funding.--Section 1240B(f)(1) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(f)(1)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031'';
and
(B) by striking ``including grazing management''
and inserting ``of which not less than \2/3\ shall be
targeted at practices relating to grazing management''.
(3) Payments for conservation practices related to organic
production.--Section 1240B(i) of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(i)) is amended--
(A) by striking paragraph (3); and
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as
paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively.
(4) Conservation incentive contracts.--Section 1240B(j) of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(j)) is
amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``,
which may include climate change adaptation and
mitigation,'' after ``priority resource
concerns''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``,
which may include climate change adaptation and
mitigation'' before the period at the end; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)(ii)--
(I) in subclause (I), by striking
``or'' at the end;
(II) in subclause (II), by striking
the period at the end and inserting ``;
or''; and
(III) by adding at the end the
following:
``(III) funding, through annual
payments, for a suite of incentive
practices that are appropriate for the
region and land use and that best
enhance soil health and carbon
sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, as determined by the
Secretary.'';
(ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following:
``(B) Term.--
``(i) In general.--A contract under this
subsection shall have a term of not less than
5, and not more than 10, years.
``(ii) Graduation option.--The Secretary
may reduce the term for a contract under this
subsection if the producer enters into a
conservation stewardship contract under section
1240K with respect to the eligible land that is
subject to the contract under this
subsection.''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (C)--
(I) in clause (i), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(II) in clause (ii), by striking
the period at the end and inserting ``;
and''; and
(III) by adding at the end the
following:
``(iii) give priority to applications that
cover eligible land that, on expiration of a
contract under this subsection, may be enrolled
in a conservation stewardship contract under
section 1240K.''.
(d) Environmental Quality Incentives Plan.--Section 1240E(a)(3) of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-5(a)(3)) is amended by
inserting ``, and a greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan'' after
``if applicable''.
(e) Limitation on Payments.--Section 1240G of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-7) is amended by striking ``Not including
payments'' and all that follows through ``2023'' and inserting ``A
person or legal entity (including a joint venture and a general
partnership) may not receive, directly or indirectly, cost-share or
incentive payments under this subchapter that, in aggregate, exceed
$450,000 for all contracts entered into under this subchapter by the
person or legal entity during any 5-fiscal-year period''.
(f) Conservation Innovation Grants.--
(1) Air quality concerns from agricultural operations.--
Section 1240H(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3839aa-8(b)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``practices to address'' in
the first sentence and all that follows through
``The funds'' in the second sentence and
inserting the following: ``practices--
``(i) to address air quality concerns from
agricultural operations; and
``(ii) to meet Federal, State, and local--
``(I) regulatory requirements; and
``(II) goals with respect to
greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
``(B) Basis of availability and use.--Funds for
payments under subparagraph (A)''; and
(ii) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as
so designated), by striking ``The Secretary''
and inserting the following:
``(A) In general.--The Secretary''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$37,500,000 for
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2031'' and inserting
``$37,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through
2023, and $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024
through 2031''.
(2) On-farm conservation innovation trials.--Section
1240H(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-
8(c)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)(B)(i)--
(i) in subclause (II), by inserting ``on-
farm nutrient recycling,'' after ``plans,'';
(ii) in subclause (VI), by striking ``and''
at the end; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(VII) perennial production
systems, including agroforestry and
perennial forages and grain crops;
and''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``2019 through 2031'' and
inserting ``2019 through 2023, $50,000,000 of the funds
made available to carry out this subchapter for each of
fiscal years 2024 and 2025, and $100,000,000 of the
funds made available to carry out this subchapter for
each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031''.
SEC. 303. CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--Section 1240I of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa-21) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting
``enhancements,'' after ``practices,''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B)(v), by inserting ``and
climate change'' before the period at the end;
(2) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting ``maintained,
actively'' after ``implemented,'';
(3) in paragraph (5), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``natural resource concern or problem'' and
inserting ``resource concern'';
(4) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
(5) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) Resource concern.--The term `resource concern' means
a natural resource condition of the soil, water, air, plant,
animal, or energy resource base that impairs the sustainability
or intended uses of the resource.''.
(b) Conservation Stewardship Program.--Section 1240J(a) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-22(a)) is amended by striking
paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the following:
``(1) by maintaining, actively managing, and, where
practicable, improving existing conservation activities; and
``(2) by undertaking additional conservation activities.''.
(c) Stewardship Contracts.--
(1) Submission of contract offers.--Section 1240K(a)(2)(B)
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-23(a)(2)(B))
is amended by striking ``improving, maintaining, and managing''
and inserting ``maintaining, actively managing, and, where
practicable, improving''.
(2) Evaluation of contract offers.--Section 1240K(b) of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-23(b)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking clause (iii)
and inserting the following:
``(iii) other criteria consistent with an
equal weighting of the factors described in
clauses (i) and (ii), as determined by the
Secretary, including criteria the Secretary
determines are necessary to ensure that--
``(I) the program effectively
targets improvements to soil health,
increases in carbon sequestration, and
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions;
and
``(II) other national, State, and
local priority resource concerns are
effectively addressed.''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (3).
(3) Contract renewal.--Section 1240K(e) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-23(e)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking subparagraph (B);
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``;
or'' at the end and inserting ``, if
applicable.''; and
(iii) by striking ``period--'' in the
matter preceding subparagraph (A) and all that
follows through ``to meet'' in subparagraph (A)
and inserting ``period, to meet'';
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as
subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively, and
indenting appropriately;
(C) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so
redesignated), by striking ``The Secretary'' and
inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Ranking and payments.--In determining whether to
accept an application for contract renewal under this
subsection, and when calculating payments for those renewed
contracts, the Secretary shall consider the full conservation
benefits across the entire applicable agricultural operation,
including--
``(A) the number of priority resource concerns with
respect to which the producer is expected to meet or
exceed the stewardship threshold by the end of the
contract period; and
``(B) the active management and maintenance of
ongoing conservation activities, including--
``(i) the conservation activities adopted
during a prior contract period; and
``(ii) the new or improved conservation
activities to be adopted if a contract is
renewed.''.
(d) Duties of the Secretary.--
(1) Climate change adaptation and mitigation.--Section
1240L(a)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-
24(a)(2)) is amended by inserting ``(which may include climate
change adaptation and mitigation)'' after ``priority resource
concerns''.
(2) Conservation stewardship payments.--Section 1240L(c) of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-24(c)) is
amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``on
1 or more types of eligible land covered by the
contract'' after ``activities''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``improving, maintaining, and managing'' and
inserting ``maintaining, actively managing, and
improving'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following:
``(B) Income forgone by the producer, including
amounts that reflect--
``(i) increased economic risk; and
``(ii) loss in revenue due to--
``(I) production changes;
``(II) anticipated reductions in
yield;
``(III) transitioning to an
organic, resource-conserving cropping
or grazing, or perennial production
system; or
``(IV) acreage converted to
conservation uses.''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ``,
actively managed, and, where applicable,
improved'' after ``maintained''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Payments for conservation activities related to
organic production systems.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall provide
payments under this subsection for conservation
activities relating to--
``(i) organic production; and
``(ii) transitioning to organic production.
``(B) Conservation activities.--Conservation
activities described in subparagraph (A) may include--
``(i) generally available and specifically
tailored conservation activities; and
``(ii) individual conservation activities
and bundles of conservation activities.
``(7) Minimum payment.--The amount of an annual payment
under the program shall be not less than $2,000.''.
(3) Supplemental payments.--Section 1240L(d) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-24(d)) is amended--
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``,
Perennial Production Systems,'' after ``Rotations'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
subparagraph (D); and
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (B)
the following:
``(C) Perennial production system.--The term
`perennial production system' means--
``(i) the use of cropland for agroforestry,
including alley cropping, silvopasture, and
related production practices, as determined by
the Secretary;
``(ii) the use of woodland for
agroforestry, including forest farming,
multistory cropping, and related production
practices, as determined by the Secretary; and
``(iii) the use of cropland for perennial
forages or perennial grain crops.'';
(C) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or''
at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) a perennial production system.''; and
(D) in paragraph (3), by striking ``or advanced
grazing management'' and inserting ``, advanced grazing
management, or a perennial production system''.
(4) Payment for comprehensive conservation plan.--Section
1240L(e)(1) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-
24(e)(1)) is amended--
(A) by striking the period at the end and inserting
the following: ``; and
``(B) with respect to an organic production
system--
``(i) is integrated with an organic system
plan approved under the national organic
program established under the Organic Foods
Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.);
or
``(ii) allows a producer to transition to
organic production systems and pursue
certification under that Act.''; and
(B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (B) (as
added by subparagraph (A)), by striking ``plan that
meets'' and inserting the following: ``plan that--
``(A) meets''.
(5) Payment limitations.--Section 1240L(f) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-24(f)) is amended--
(A) by inserting ``(including a joint venture and a
general partnership)'' after ``A person or legal
entity''; and
(B) by striking ``fiscal years 2019 through 2023''
and inserting ``any consecutive 5-fiscal-year period''.
(6) Specialty crop and organic producers.--Section 1240L(g)
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-24(g)) is
amended by inserting ``, and producers transitioning to organic
production systems,'' after ``organic producers''.
(7) Soil health.--Section 1240L(k) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-24(k)) is amended by striking the
period at the end and inserting the following: ``, including
by--
``(1) conducting outreach to encourage the use of contracts
to improve soil health and sequester carbon in the soil; and
``(2) offering payments for soil testing to provide
producers and the Secretary with information on the soil health
and carbon sequestration impacts of conservation activities.''.
(e) On-Farm Conservation Stewardship Innovation Grants.--Subchapter
B of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-21 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 1240L-2. ON-FARM CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP INNOVATION GRANTS.
``(a) Definition of Agricultural Professional.--In this section,
the term `agricultural professional' means a university researcher or
educator, including an extension agent or specialist, Federal agency
field staff, an agricultural consultant, State and local agency staff,
Tribal agency staff, a Federally-Recognized Tribes Extension Program
agent, and nonprofit organization staff assisting farmers and ranchers
at the local level.
``(b) Grants.--Using funds made available to carry out this
subchapter, the Secretary shall provide competitive grants to carry out
on-farm conservation innovation projects on eligible land of program
participants for the purpose of stimulating innovative approaches on
farms and ranches to leverage Federal investment in conservation
stewardship, in conjunction with agricultural production or forest
resource management, through the program.
``(c) Participants.--The Secretary shall provide grants under this
section--
``(1) directly to agricultural operations, or groups of
agricultural operations, participating in the program; or
``(2) through partnerships between agricultural
professionals and small groups of agricultural operations
participating in the program.
``(d) Use.--An entity that receives a grant under this section
directly or through a partnership in accordance with subsection (c)
shall carry out an on-farm conservation innovation project that--
``(1) facilitates on-farm research and demonstration or
pilot testing of new technologies or innovative conservation
systems and practices that aim to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and decarbonize agriculture;
``(2) facilitates on-farm research and demonstration or
pilot testing of practices and systems with a proven high
impact for greenhouse gas emissions reduction and
decarbonization and low national or regional adoption rates; or
``(3) helps to prepare program participants for
participation in environmental services markets that have as a
primary goal greenhouse gas emissions reduction or
decarbonization of agriculture.
``(e) Incentive Payments.--
``(1) Agreements.--
``(A) In general.--In carrying out this section,
the Secretary shall enter into agreements with
agricultural operations (directly or through
governmental or nongovernmental organizations involved
in a partnership with 1 or more agricultural
operations) on whose land an on-farm conservation
innovation project is being carried out under this
section to provide payments to the agricultural
operations to assist with adopting and evaluating new
or innovative conservation approaches to achieve
conservation benefits.
``(B) Amount.--Payments provided under subparagraph
(A) shall reflect the direct costs of the research and
demonstration and compensation for foregone income, as
appropriate to address the increased economic risk or
lower economic return potentially associated with the
applicable innovative conservation approach.
``(2) Adjusted gross income requirements.--
``(A) In general.--Adjusted gross income
requirements under section 1001D(b)(1) shall--
``(i) apply to producers receiving payments
under this subsection; and
``(ii) be enforced by the Secretary.
``(B) Reporting.--A governmental or nongovernmental
organization participating in an on-farm conservation
innovation project under this subsection shall submit
to the Secretary an annual report describing the amount
of payments that the organization made to each
agricultural operation under this subsection.
``(3) Research, technical assistance, and administrative
expenses.--The Secretary may provide to a partnership described
in paragraph (1)(A) not more than $50,000 for each on-farm
conservation innovation project for research, technical
assistance, and administrative expenses.
``(4) Length of agreements.--An agreement entered into
under paragraph (1)(A) shall be for a period determined by the
Secretary that is--
``(A) not less than 2 years; and
``(B) if appropriate, more than 2 years, including
if the longer period is appropriate to support--
``(i) adaptive management over multiple
crop years; and
``(ii) adequate data collection and
analysis by an agricultural operation or
partnership to report the natural resource and
agricultural production benefits of the new or
innovative conservation approaches to the
Secretary.''.
SEC. 304. STATE ASSISTANCE FOR SOIL HEALTH.
Chapter 5 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 1240S. STATE ASSISTANCE FOR SOIL HEALTH.
``(a) Availability and Purpose of Grants.--Using funds made
available under subsection (k), the Secretary shall make grants to
States or Tribal governments for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028
to be used by State departments of agriculture or appropriate Tribal
authorities to develop and implement plans to improve soil health on
agricultural land.
``(b) Application.--
``(1) In general.--A State department of agriculture or
Tribal government requesting a grant under this section shall
prepare and submit for approval by the Secretary an application
at such time, in such a manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary shall require, including an assurance that
grant funds received under this section shall supplement the
expenditure of State or Tribal funds in support of soil health,
rather than replace State or Tribal funds for those purposes.
``(2) Use of funds.--A State or Tribal government may
request funds under this section--
``(A) to develop or modify a State or Tribal soil
health plan; or
``(B) to implement a State or Tribal soil health
plan approved by the Secretary under this section,
including through--
``(i) technical assistance;
``(ii) financial assistance;
``(iii) on-farm research and demonstration;
``(iv) education, outreach, and training;
``(v) monitoring and evaluation; or
``(vi) such other activities as the
Secretary determines to be appropriate.
``(3) Plan components.--Prior to approving a State or
Tribal soil health plan, the Secretary shall ensure that the
plan, at a minimum--
``(A) is broadly consistent with the soil health
principles of the Natural Resources Conservation
Service; and
``(B) identifies effective strategies for
increasing adoption of regionally appropriate soil
health practices and systems on privately owned
agricultural land under the jurisdiction of the
applicable State or Tribal government.
``(4) Eligibility.--A State or Tribal government may--
``(A) apply for a grant for the purposes described
in paragraph (2)(A) at any time; and
``(B) apply for a grant for the purposes described
in paragraph (2)(B) on approval by the Secretary of a
soil health plan for the State or Tribal government.
``(c) Tribal Option.--At the sole discretion of a Tribal
government, an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization shall have the
option of being incorporated into a State application rather than
submitting an application for the Indian Tribe or Tribal organization.
``(d) Grant Amount.--
``(1) Maximum.--The maximum grant any 1 State or Tribal
government may receive under this section for a fiscal year
shall be--
``(A) in the case of a grant for the purposes
described in subsection (b)(2)(A), $1,000,000; and
``(B) in the case of a grant for the purposes
described in subsection (b)(2)(B), $5,000,000.
``(2) Federal share.--
``(A) Grants to states.--The amount of a grant to a
State under this section shall not exceed--
``(i) 75 percent of the cost of developing
or modifying a soil health plan; or
``(ii) 50 percent of the cost of
implementing the soil health plan.
``(B) Grants to tribes.--The amount of a grant to a
Tribal government under this section shall not exceed--
``(i) 90 percent of the cost of developing
or modifying a soil health plan; or
``(ii) 75 percent of the cost of
implementing the soil health plan.
``(3) Non-federal funds.--A grant made under this section
shall be made on the condition that the non-Federal share of
expenditures under paragraph (2) be provided by non-Federal
sources.
``(e) Grant Term.--A grant under this section shall be for 1 year
and may be renewed annually, at the discretion of the Secretary.
``(f) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority to States or
Tribal governments with a climate action plan that includes soil
health, as determined by the Secretary.
``(g) Performance Measures and Evaluation.--
``(1) Performance measures.--Each application under
subsection (b) shall include performance measures to be used to
evaluate the results of the assistance received under this
section.
``(2) Review.--Each applicable State department of
agriculture or Tribal authority shall submit to the Secretary a
review and evaluation of the progress of the State department
of agriculture or Tribal authority, using the performance
measures under paragraph (1), at such intervals as the
Secretary shall establish.
``(h) Effect of Noncompliance.--If the Secretary, after reasonable
notice to a State or Tribal government, determines that there has been
a failure by the State or Tribal government to comply with the terms of
a grant made under this section, the Secretary may disqualify, for 1 or
more years, the State or Tribal government from receipt of future
grants under this section.
``(i) Audit Requirement.--For each year that a State or Tribal
government receives a grant under this section, the State or Tribal
government shall--
``(1) conduct an audit of the expenditures of grant funds
by the State or Tribal government; and
``(2) not later than 30 days after the completion of the
audit under paragraph (1), submit to the Secretary a copy of
the audit.
``(j) Administration.--
``(1) Department.--The Secretary may not use more than 3
percent of the funds made available to carry out this section
for a fiscal year for administrative expenses.
``(2) States and tribes.--A State or Tribal government
receiving a grant under this section may not use more than 7
percent of the funds received under the grant for a fiscal year
for administrative expenses.
``(k) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation,
the Secretary shall use to make grants under this section--
``(1) $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 and 2025;
``(2) $80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027;
and
``(3) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2028 and each fiscal
year thereafter.''.
SEC. 305. FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Commodity Credit Corporation.--
(1) Annual funding.--Section 1241(a) of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``,
and $17,000,000 for the period of fiscal years
2024 through 2028,'' after ``2023''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting
``and $70,000,000 for the period of fiscal
years 2024 through 2028, including not more
than $5,000,000 to provide outreach and
technical assistance,'' after ``technical
assistance,'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (E), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (F), by striking
``2031.'' and inserting ``2023; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) $700,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024
through 2031.''; and
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) in clause (iv), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(II) in clause (v), by striking
``each of fiscal years 2023 through
2031'' and inserting ``fiscal year
2023''; and
(III) by adding at the end the
following:
``(vi) $3,000,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2024 through 2031; and''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) in clause (iv), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(II) in clause (v), by striking
``each of fiscal years 2023 through
2031.'' and inserting ``fiscal year
2023; and''; and
(III) by adding at the end the
following:
``(vi) $4,000,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2024 through 2031.''.
(2) Technical assistance.--Section 1241(c) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(c)) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(5) Special initiative.--
``(A) In general.--Beginning in fiscal year 2022,
and each year thereafter through fiscal year 2028, the
Secretary shall use for a special technical assistance
initiative to assist producers in mitigating and
adapting to climate change, of the funds of the
Commodity Credit Corporation, an amount equal to not
less than 1 percent of Commodity Credit Corporation
funds made available for the applicable fiscal year for
each of the programs described in subsection (a).
``(B) Provision of technical assistance.--The
Secretary shall provide technical assistance under the
special initiative under this paragraph to producers--
``(i) directly;
``(ii)(I) through an agreement with a
third-party provider (as defined in section
1242(a)); or
``(II) at the option of the producer,
through a payment, as determined by the
Secretary, to the producer for a third-party
provider approved under section 1242, if
available; or
``(iii) through a cooperative agreement or
contract with--
``(I) a cooperative extension;
``(II) a nongovernmental
organization; or
``(III) a State, Tribal, or Federal
agency.
``(C) Underserved producers.--In providing
technical assistance under this paragraph, the
Secretary shall give priority to producers who are
persons described in section 1244(a)(2).''.
(3) Assistance to certain farmers or ranchers for
conservation access.--Section 1241(h) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(h)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking
``practicable--'' in the matter preceding clause (i)
and all that follows through the period at the end of
clause (ii) and inserting ``practicable, 30 percent to
assist beginning farmers or ranchers and socially
disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.''; and
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``section
2501(e)'' and all that follows through the period at
the end and inserting ``section 2501(a) of the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7
U.S.C. 2279(a))) that qualifies under paragraph
(1)(B).''.
(b) Delivery of Technical Assistance.--Section 1242 of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)--
(A) by inserting ``an individual,'' before ``a
commercial entity'';
(B) by striking ``State or local'' and inserting
``State, local, or Tribal''; and
(C) by striking ``nutrient management planning,''
and inserting ``soil health planning, greenhouse gas
emissions reduction planning, nutrient management
planning, integrated pest management planning,
agroforestry planning, organic transition planning,'';
(2) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (3)(A)--
(i) by inserting ``individuals,'' before
``commercial entities,''; and
(ii) by striking ``State or local'' and
inserting ``State, local, or Tribal''; and
(B) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``or organic''
after ``sustainability''; and
(3) in subsection (i)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting
``Perennial Agriculture System,'' after ``Organic,'';
and
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``a perennial
agriculture system,'' after ``production,'' each place
it appears.
(c) Administrative Requirements for Conservation Programs.--
(1) Incentives for certain farmers and ranchers and indian
tribes.--Section 1244(a)(1) of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3844(a)(1)) is amended--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ``incentives'' and inserting ``incentives,
including higher payment rates, advance payments,
transition payments, and farm infrastructure
assistance,'';
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the
end; and
(C) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the
following:
``(B) to establish a new generation of producers
who use the full array of climate-friendly conservation
activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
increase soil carbon, and improve resilience to weather
extremes; and
``(C) to enhance other long-term environmental
goals.''.
(2) Review and guidance for practice costs and payment
rates.--Section 1244(j)(1)(B) of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3844(j)(1)(B)) is amended--
(A) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(iv) accelerates progress in meeting the
goals established under title I of the
Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023.''.
(3) Advanced grazing management.--Section 1244 of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(q) Advanced Grazing Management.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out any conservation program
administered by the Secretary, the Secretary shall encourage
advanced grazing management, including management-intensive
rotational grazing (as those terms are defined in section
1240L(d)(1)).
``(2) Reservation of funds.--In each of fiscal years 2024
through 2028, the Secretary shall use to carry out this
subsection not less than \2/3\ of any funds available for
activities relating to livestock production under conservation
programs administered by the Secretary under this title (other
than the conservation reserve program established under
subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D, except for acres
enrolled in that program under section 1231(d)(2)).''.
(d) Environmental Services Markets.--Section 1245 of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3845) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(f) Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Carbon Sequestration Monitoring
and Measurement Federal Advisory Committee.--
``(1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall
establish an advisory committee, to be known as the `Greenhouse
Gas Emissions and Carbon Sequestration Monitoring and
Measurement Federal Advisory Committee' (referred to in this
subsection as the `advisory committee').
``(2) Membership.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall appoint members to the advisory committee
that--
``(A) reflect diversity in gender, age, race, and
geography; and
``(B) include--
``(i) farmers and ranchers, including
farmers and ranchers operating small and mid-
sized farms;
``(ii) organizations representing farmers
and ranchers, including organizations
representing farmers and ranchers operating
small and mid-sized farms;
``(iii) scientists;
``(iv) environmental nonprofit
organizations;
``(v) existing private sector carbon and
ecosystem services market development
initiatives;
``(vi) businesses working to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture in
the supply chains of the businesses;
``(vii) relevant Federal agencies;
``(viii) Tribal communities; and
``(ix) State agriculture agencies.
``(3) Terms.--
``(A) Term length.--The term of a member of the
advisory committee shall be 3 years.
``(B) Reappointment.--The Secretary may reappoint a
member of the advisory committee for not more than 2
consecutive terms.
``(4) Meetings.--The advisory committee shall meet--
``(A) not fewer than 4 times in the first year
after the advisory committee is established; and
``(B) not less frequently than twice annually
thereafter.
``(5) Recommendations.--Not later than 1 year after the
date on which the advisory committee is established, and
periodically thereafter, the advisory committee shall submit to
the Secretary recommendations on--
``(A) the feasibility of establishing reliable
outcomes-based measurement systems, as described in
subsection (g);
``(B) existing technology that provides reliable
measurement data;
``(C) with respect to parameters for which existing
technology does not provide reliable measurement data,
research and technical needs and, as appropriate, goals
and plans for that research;
``(D) standards for data collection and
dissemination;
``(E) farmer data management and privacy;
``(F) greenhouse gas emissions and soil health
inventories and databases, as described in subsection
(h); and
``(G) criteria for soil health and greenhouse gas
emissions reductions incentives, as described in
subsection (i).
``(g) Measurement System.--
``(1) Purpose.--The Secretary shall evaluate existing
outcomes-based measurement systems for recordkeeping, modeling,
and measurement of farm-level greenhouse gas emissions and soil
carbon sequestration, including measures of soil disturbance,
plant diversity, continual living cover, residue management,
advanced grazing management, and crop-livestock integration, to
determine which of those systems--
``(A) can be implemented quickly;
``(B) can improve in accuracy and ease over time;
``(C) use the best available science and
technology;
``(D) estimate uncertainty; and
``(E) are cost-effective.
``(2) Guidance.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall issue
guidance on the outcomes-based measurement systems evaluated
under paragraph (1), based on--
``(A) recommendations from the advisory committee
established under subsection (f); and
``(B) information from--
``(i) existing and emerging agroecosystem
models;
``(ii) remote sensing data and analysis;
``(iii) soil health demonstration trials
carried out under section 1240H(c)(7);
``(iv) existing and emerging public
environmental services protocols, measurement
systems, and benchmarks, including uncertainty
predictions and measurements;
``(v) field-level measurement, including
field-based data collected under section
21002(a)(2) of Public Law 117-169 (7 U.S.C.
6936 note; 136 Stat. 2018);
``(vi) the Conservation Evaluation and
Monitoring Activity for the Carbon
Sequestration and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation
Assessment; and
``(vii) such other sources as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
``(3) Review.--The Secretary, based on recommendations from
the advisory committee established under subsection (f),
shall--
``(A) establish and maintain an outcomes-based
measurement system in accordance with the guidance
issued under paragraph (2) when feasible;
``(B) conduct a periodic review of that system;
``(C) periodically make any necessary updates to
that system; and
``(D) establish research and development goals and
plans, as necessary.
``(h) Inventory.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date
of enactment of this subsection, and every 2 years thereafter,
the Secretary, in consultation with the advisory committee
established under subsection (f) and the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency, shall conduct a nationwide
soil health and agricultural greenhouse gas emissions inventory
that uses the best available science and data to establish
expected average performance for soil carbon drawdown and
storage and greenhouse gas emissions reduction by primary
production type and production region.
``(2) Database.--Drawing on the field-based data collected
under section 21002(a)(2) of Public Law 117-169 (7 U.S.C. 6936
note; 136 Stat. 2018), the Secretary shall--
``(A) establish an accessible and interoperable
database for the information collected through the
inventory conducted under paragraph (1); and
``(B) improve and update that database not less
frequently than once every 2 years as new data is
collected.
``(i) Criteria.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
advisory committee established under subsection (f), shall
establish criteria for payments, credits, or other forms of
incentives to inform policy established to promote soil carbon
sequestration or greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
``(2) Requirements.--The criteria established under
paragraph (1) shall--
``(A) have a documented likelihood to lead to long-
term net increases in soil carbon sequestration and net
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, according to
the best available science;
``(B) be based in part on environmental impact
modeling of the changes of shifting from baseline
agricultural practices to new or improved agricultural
practices; and
``(C) be designed to prevent the degradation of
other natural resource or environmental conditions.
``(j) Demonstration Trials.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall periodically review
the results from soil health demonstration trials carried out
under section 1240H(c)(7), and other similar public and private
demonstration trials that the Secretary determines to be
appropriate, to inform the activities under subsections (g),
(h), and (i).
``(2) Recommendations.--In submitting reports pursuant to
section 1240H(c)(7)(C)(ii), the Secretary shall include any
recommendations to Congress for changes or additions to the
conservation programs under this Act that the Secretary
determines to be appropriate to accelerate net increases in
soil carbon sequestration and other improvements in soil
health.''.
SEC. 306. CONSERVATION COMPLIANCE.
(a) Definitions.--Section 1201(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3801(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking ``highly erodible'' each place it
appears; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and
conservation treatment measures'' and inserting ``crop
rotation and cover crop systems, and other relevant
soil conservation and soil health management treatment
measures'';
(2) in paragraph (4)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) by striking ``or a substantial
improvement in soil conditions on a field or
group of fields containing highly erodible
cropland'' and inserting ``and a substantial
improvement in soil health conditions
(including soil carbon levels) on a field or
group of fields containing cropland''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) are designed to achieve, within 5 years of
actively applying a conservation plan, a level of
erosion not to exceed twice the soil loss tolerance
level; and
``(D) are designed to effectively prevent the
formation of new, or treat all existing, ephemeral
gullies.''; and
(3) in paragraph (11)(A)(ii), by striking ``excessive
average annual rate of erosion in relation to'' and inserting
``average annual rate of erosion exceeding twice''.
(b) Cropland Conservation.--
(1) Program ineligibility.--Section 1211 of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1),
by striking ``produces an agricultural
commodity'' and all that follows through ``as
determined by the Secretary'' and inserting
``carries out an activity described in
subsection (b), as determined by the
Secretary,''; and
(ii) in paragraph (1)(D), by inserting
``cropland or'' before ``highly erodible
land'';
(B) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection
(c);
(C) by inserting after subsection (a) the
following:
``(b) Activities Described.--Activities referred to in subsection
(a) are--
``(1) the production of an agricultural commodity on a
field on which cropland is predominant;
``(2) the designation of land on which cropland is
predominant to be set aside, diverted, devoted to conservation
uses, or otherwise not cultivated under a program administered
by the Secretary to reduce production of an agricultural
commodity; and
``(3) the production of an agricultural commodity without
having in place a conservation plan.''; and
(D) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated), by
striking the heading and inserting ``Authority of
Secretary.--''.
(2) Exemptions.--Section 1212 of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3812) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(3)--
(i) in the first sentence, by striking
``highly erodible land'' and inserting
``cropland''; and
(ii) in the first and second sentences, by
striking ``only be required to apply a
conservation plan established under this
subtitle. The person shall not be required to
meet a higher conservation standard than the
standard applied to other highly erodible'' and
inserting ``be required to apply a conservation
plan established under this subtitle consistent
with the standard applied to other'';
(B) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``highly
erodible land'' each place it appears and inserting
``cropland''; and
(C) in subsection (f)(4)(A)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``highly
erodible''; and
(ii) in clause (ii)(II), by inserting ``and
soil health'' after ``erosion control''.
(3) Conforming amendment.--Subtitle B of title XII of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811 et seq.) is amended
in the subtitle heading by striking ``Highly Erodible Land''
and inserting ``Cropland''.
SEC. 307. NATIONAL AND REGIONAL AGROFORESTRY CENTERS.
Section 1243 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 1642 note; Public Law 101-624) is amended--
(1) by striking the section heading and inserting
``national and regional agroforestry centers'';
(2) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and (d) as
subsections (c), (d), and (f), respectively;
(3) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) Definition of Agroforestry.--In this section, the term
`agroforestry' means a management system that intentionally integrates
trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to build more
profitable and weather-resilient farms, ranches, and communities,
address natural resource concerns and conservation needs, and establish
productive and sustainable land use practices, including--
``(1) riparian forest buffers and managed waterbreaks;
``(2) alley cropping;
``(3) silvopasture;
``(4) forest farming and multistory cropping; and
``(5) windbreaks, shelterbelts, hedgerows, field borders,
and living snow fences.
``(b) National and Regional Agroforestry Centers.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Agriculture (referred
to in this section as the `Secretary')--
``(A) shall establish at the Forestry Sciences
Laboratory of the Forest Service, in Lincoln, Nebraska,
a National Agroforestry Research, Development, and
Demonstration Center; and
``(B) acting through the Chief of the Forest
Service and in cooperation with the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, shall establish not fewer than 3
additional regional agroforestry centers at other
locations, as determined by the Secretary.
``(2) National and regional directors.--The Secretary shall
appoint a National Director and Regional Directors to manage
and coordinate the program established under subsection (c).'';
(4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``Center'' and inserting
``Centers established under subparagraphs (A)
and (B) of subsection (b)(1) (referred to in
this section as the `Centers')''; and
(ii) by inserting ``and organizations''
after ``nonprofit foundations'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``on semiarid lands that''
and inserting ``that build soil health and'';
and
(ii) by inserting ``, including
agroforestry systems on semiarid land and other
fragile agroecosystems in which restoration of
permanent woody perennial plant communities
will enhance carbon sequestration and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions'' before the
semicolon;
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``forestry
products for commercial sale from semiarid land'' and
inserting ``agroforestry products for commercial
sale'';
(D) in paragraph (4)--
(i) by striking ``in semiarid regions'';
and
(ii) by striking ``the Great Plains
region'' and inserting ``particular regions'';
(E) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``technical
assistance and'' before ``technology'';
(F) by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the
following:
``(6) develop improved silvopasture, alley cropping, forest
farming, multistory cropping, riparian buffer, windbreak and
shelterbelt, and other perennial production and conservation
systems and technologies to improve soil health, carbon
sequestration, drought preparedness, soil and water
conservation, environmental quality, and biological
diversity;'';
(G) in paragraph (7), by striking ``on semiarid
lands'';
(H) in paragraph (8), by striking ``on semiarid
lands worldwide'' and inserting ``worldwide, including
on semiarid land''; and
(I) in paragraph (9)--
(i) by striking ``on semiarid lands''; and
(ii) by inserting ``and climate change''
after ``pollution'';
(5) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``Center'' and inserting ``Centers'';
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) facilitate agroforestry adoption by disseminating
comprehensive information on Federal, State, local, and Tribal
programs that provide support for agroforestry.'';
(6) by inserting after subsection (d) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(e) Grants.--The Secretary may establish regional grant programs
at each of the Centers to support agroforestry projects, including
demonstration farms.''; and
(7) in subsection (f) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``and $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028''
after ``through 2023''.
TITLE IV--FARMLAND PRESERVATION AND FARM VIABILITY
SEC. 401. LOCAL AGRICULTURE MARKET PROGRAM.
Section 210A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C.
1627c) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(12)(A)--
(A) by redesignating clauses (iv) and (v) as
clauses (vi) and (vii), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after clause (iii) the following:
``(iv) is produced and marketed in a manner
that significantly improves soil health and
carbon sequestration or significantly reduces
greenhouse gas emissions;
``(v) when added to the crop or grazing
rotation on a farm, will significantly improve
soil health and carbon sequestration or
significantly reduce greenhouse gas
emissions;'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the
semicolon at the end and inserting ``,
including value-added agricultural products
from crops or animals that, when added into
crop or grazing rotations on a farm, will
significantly improve soil health and carbon
sequestration or significantly reduce
greenhouse gas emissions; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) markets for agricultural commodities and
products produced in a manner that significantly
improve soil health and carbon sequestration or
significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions;'';
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``and local'' and inserting
``, local''; and
(ii) by inserting ``, and production and
marketing approaches to significantly improve
soil health and carbon sequestration or
significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions''
before the semicolon at the end;
(C) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(D) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph
(7); and
(E) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
``(6) enhances the economic viability of producers and
related agricultural enterprises; and'';
(3) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``subsection (i)'' and
inserting ``subsection (j)''; and
(ii) by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2028'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (C)--
(I) in clause (i), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(II) in clause (ii), by adding
``and'' at the end; and
(III) by adding at the end the
following:
``(iii) agricultural commodities and
products that are produced and marketed in a
manner that--
``(I) significantly improves soil
health and carbon sequestration or
significantly reduces greenhouse gas
emissions; or
``(II) when added to a crop or
grazing rotation on a farm will
significantly improve soil health and
carbon sequestration or significantly
reduce greenhouse gas emissions;''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (F), by striking
``producers of local food products and value-
added agricultural products in new and existing
markets'' and inserting the following:
``producers of--
``(i) local food products;
``(ii) value-added agricultural products in
new and existing markets; and
``(iii) agricultural commodities and
products that are produced in a manner that--
``(I) enhances soil health and
carbon sequestration or significantly
reduces greenhouse gas emissions; or
``(II) when added to a crop or
grazing rotation on a farm, will
significantly improve soil health and
carbon sequestration or significantly
reduce greenhouse gas emissions;''; and
(C) in paragraph (5)(A), by inserting ``and the
Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service''
before the period at the end;
(4) in subsection (e)(2)(A)--
(A) by striking ``subsection (i)'' and inserting
``subsection (j)''; and
(B) by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2028'';
(5) by redesignating subsections (f), (g), (h), and (i) as
subsections (g), (h), (i), and (j), respectively;
(6) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
``(f) Farm Viability and Local Climate Resiliency Centers.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service and in
coordination with the Administrator of the Rural Business-
Cooperative Service and the Chief of the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, shall provide grants to eligible entities
described in paragraph (2) to serve as farm viability and local
climate resiliency centers (referred to in this section as
`centers') to support--
``(A) efforts to enhance farm viability; and
``(B) the development, coordination, and expansion
of markets for commodities and farm products that
significantly improve soil health and carbon
sequestration or significantly reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
``(2) Eligible entities.--An entity is eligible to receive
a grant under this subsection if the entity is--
``(A) an agricultural cooperative or other
agricultural business entity or a producer network or
association;
``(B) a local, State, or Tribal government;
``(C) a nonprofit corporation;
``(D) a public benefit corporation;
``(E) an economic development corporation;
``(F) an institution of higher education; or
``(G) such other entity as the Secretary may
designate.
``(3) Use of funds.--An eligible entity receiving a grant
under this subsection shall use grant funds to provide to
entities described in subsection (d)(5)(B)--
``(A) assistance for the development of business
plans and feasibility studies;
``(B) assistance in developing marketing strategies
for--
``(i) local products; and
``(ii) value-added agricultural products in
new and existing markets;
``(C) assistance in enterprise development for the
processing, aggregation, distribution, and storage of--
``(i) local and regional food products that
are marketed locally or regionally; and
``(ii) value-added agricultural products;
``(D) assistance relating to finances and
recordkeeping;
``(E) assistance relating to enterprise and
business management;
``(F) assistance relating to ownership succession
planning;
``(G) outreach and assistance in the adoption of
farming practices that enhance soil health and carbon
sequestration or significantly reduce greenhouse gas
emissions;
``(H) outreach regarding assistance available under
subsection (d);
``(I) outreach regarding assistance available
through other programs administered by any other
Federal agency that supports the adoption of farming
practices that enhance soil health and carbon
sequestration or significantly reduce greenhouse gas
emissions; or
``(J) at the request of the entity described in
subsection (d)(5)(B), assistance in applying for a
grant under subsection (d), including acting on behalf
of the entity in applying for the grant.
``(4) Geographic diversity.--To the maximum extent
practicable, the Secretary shall ensure geographic diversity in
selecting eligible entities to receive a grant under this
subsection.
``(5) Non-federal share.--An entity receiving a grant under
this subsection shall provide funding in an amount equal to not
less than 25 percent of the total amount of the Federal portion
of the grant.
``(6) Applications.--
``(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a
grant under this subsection, an eligible entity shall
submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in
such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary considers necessary to evaluate and select
applications.
``(B) Competitive process.--The Secretary--
``(i) shall conduct a competitive process
to select applications submitted under
subparagraph (A);
``(ii) may assess and rank applications
with similar proposals as a group; and
``(iii) shall, prior to accepting
applications under that subparagraph, make
public the criteria to be used in evaluating
the applications.
``(7) Priority.--The Secretary may give priority to
applications submitted under paragraph (6)(A) that include--
``(A) plans to use funds for 3 or more of purposes
described in paragraph (3); or
``(B) activities relating to improving the use and
expanded adoption of farming practices that enhance
soil health and carbon sequestration or significantly
reduce greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously
improving farm viability.
``(8) Administrative expenses.--An entity receiving a grant
under this subsection may use not more than 4 percent of the
funds received through the grant for administrative
expenses.'';
(7) in subsection (i)(1) (as so redesignated), in the
matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``subsection
(i)(3)(E)'' and inserting ``subsection (j)(3)(E)''; and
(8) in subsection (j) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``fiscal year
2019'' and inserting ``each of fiscal years 2019
through 2023 and $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2024'';
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking
``35'' and inserting ``36''; and
(ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following:
``(B) Farmers' market and local food promotion
grants.--
``(i) In general.--Of the funds made
available to carry out this section for a
fiscal year, 36 percent shall be used for
grants under subsection (d)(6).
``(ii) Allocation among subprograms.--Of
the funds made available for grants under
subsection (d)(6) for a fiscal year--
``(I) 40 percent shall be made
available for farmers' market promotion
grants; and
``(II) 60 percent shall be made
available for local food promotion
grants.'';
(C) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) and (E) as
subparagraphs (E) and (F), respectively;
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the
following:
``(D) Farm viability and local climate
resiliency.--Of the funds made available to carry out
this section for a fiscal year, 10 percent shall be
used to provide grants under subsection (f).''; and
(E) in subparagraph (E) (as so redesignated), in
the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``or (C)''
and inserting ``(C), or (D)''.
SEC. 402. NATIONAL ORGANIC CERTIFICATION COST-SHARE PROGRAM.
(a) Federal Share.--Section 10606(b)(2) of the Farm Security and
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 6523(b)(2)) is amended by
striking ``$750'' and inserting ``$1,500''.
(b) Mandatory Funding.--Section 10606(d)(1) of the Farm Security
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 6523(d)(1)) is amended by
striking ``shall make available'' in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A) and all that follows through the period at the end of subparagraph
(C) and inserting ``shall use such sums as are necessary to carry out
this section.''.
SEC. 403. FARMLAND PROTECTION POLICY ACT.
(a) Findings, Purpose, and Definitions.--Section 1540 of the
Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (7 U.S.C. 4201) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (7) as
paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) the Nation's farmland is a vital source of
environmental services, such as carbon sequestration;'';
(2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``Tribal,'' after
``State,''; and
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and
(5) as paragraphs (2), (7), (8), and (6), respectively,
and moving the paragraphs so as to appear in numerical
order;
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so
redesignated) the following:
``(1) the term `conversion' means--
``(A) the physical conversion of farmland to a
nonagricultural use;
``(B) the effective conversion of farmland as a
consequence of physical conversion of adjacent
farmland, which threatens the continued viability of
the land for agricultural use; or
``(C) a change in management of federally owned
land historically used for agriculture to a
nonagricultural use;'';
(C) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``that
is used for'' and inserting ``that is suitable
for''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting
``and is suitable'' after ``local importance'';
(D) by inserting after paragraph (2) (as so
redesignated) the following:
``(3) the term `farmland of national significance' means
farmland that is the most suitable for intensive crop and food
production, as determined by the Secretary, taking into
consideration, among other factors, the physical and chemical
characteristics of the farmland;'';
(E) in paragraph (4), in the second sentence, by
striking ``and'' at the end;
(F) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) the term `permanently protected farmland' means
farmland encumbered by a conservation easement--
``(A) held by the Federal Government, a State,
Tribal, or local unit of government, or a land
conservation organization; and
``(B) that is perpetual or the maximum number of
years allowed by State law;'';
(G) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated), by
striking the period at the end and inserting a
semicolon;
(H) in paragraph (7) (as so redesignated), by
adding ``and'' at the end; and
(I) in paragraph (8) (as so redesignated), by
striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a
period.
(b) Farmland Protection Policy.--Section 1541 of the Agriculture
and Food Act of 1981 (7 U.S.C. 4202) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1541. FARMLAND PROTECTION POLICY.
``(a) In General.--It is the policy of the United States that
Federal programs--
``(1) shall minimize the conversion of farmland to
nonagricultural uses; and
``(2) subject to subsection (d), shall not convert to
nonagricultural uses farmland--
``(A) that is permanently protected farmland;
``(B) that has been defined and delineated by the
Secretary under subsection (b)(1) as farmland of
national significance; or
``(C) that has been defined and delineated by a
State as significant to the State or a priority for
inclusion in a State farmland protection program and
for which the State has submitted a definition and
delineation under subsection (b)(2).
``(b) Definition and Delineation of Land.--
``(1) National significance.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall define and
delineate farmland of national significance.
``(B) Experts.--The Secretary shall convene a group
of experts, including agronomists and soil scientists,
to assist the Secretary in carrying out subparagraph
(A).
``(2) State significance.--Any State wishing to have
farmland recognized under subsection (a)(2)(C) shall provide to
the Secretary a definition and delineation of the farmland.
``(c) Process and Criteria.--
``(1) Process and criteria.--The Secretary shall develop a
process, including criteria--
``(A) to determine the potential conversion of
farmland as a consequence of any action or activity
conducted through a Federal program;
``(B)(i) to minimize the conversion of farmland to
nonagricultural uses; or
``(ii) in the case of farmland identified under
subsection (a)(2), to avoid conversion of the farmland
to nonagricultural uses;
``(C) to provide to the Secretary notice regarding
actions described in subparagraphs (A) and (B); and
``(D) that the Secretary shall use to make
determinations under subsection (d).
``(2) Use required.--Each department, agency, independent
commission, and other unit of the Federal Government shall use
the process and criteria developed under paragraph (1) in
carrying out a Federal program.
``(d) Exemption.--
``(1) In general.--Subsection (a)(2) shall not apply if the
Secretary determines, based on the process and criteria
developed under subsection (c)(1), that converting farmland to
nonagricultural uses cannot be avoided.
``(2) Minimization of conversion.--In a case in which the
Secretary makes a determination under paragraph (1), the
Federal program shall minimize the conversion of farmland
described in subsection (a)(2) to the maximum extent
practicable.
``(e) Information.--The Secretary may make available to States,
units of local government, individuals, organizations, and other units
of the Federal Government information--
``(1) useful in restoring, maintaining, and improving the
quantity and quality of farmland; and
``(2) concerning the location of permanently protected
farmland.
``(f) Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide assistance to
departments, agencies, independent commissions, and other units of the
Federal Government, on request, in using the process and criteria
developed under subsection (c)(1).''.
SEC. 404. AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM.
Section 1265B of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865b) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (4)(C)(iv), by striking ``only'';
and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Condition of assistance.--
``(A) In general.--As a condition of receiving
cost-share assistance under this section, the owner of
eligible land shall agree to have in place a
conservation plan that addresses applicable resource
concerns for the land subject to the easement,
including soil health and greenhouse gas emissions
reduction, not later than 3 years after the date on
which the easement is granted.
``(B) Bureau of indian affairs.--Subparagraph (A)
may be satisfied by having in place a conservation plan
developed or recognized by the Bureau of Indian
Affairs.''; and
(2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
``(d) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide technical
assistance, if requested, to assist in--
``(1) compliance with the terms and conditions of an
easement; and
``(2) development and implementation of a conservation plan
required under subsection (b)(6), including, as applicable--
``(A) a conservation plan for highly erodible land
required under subsection (b)(4)(C)(iv); and
``(B) a comprehensive conservation plan developed
pursuant to subsection (e)(1).
``(e) Financial Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--
``(A) Enrollment in csp.--At the sole option of the
owner of the eligible land subject to an easement, the
Secretary shall provide for the automatic enrollment of
the eligible land subject to the easement in the
conservation stewardship program established by
subchapter B of chapter 4 of subtitle D, including
financial assistance for the development of a
comprehensive conservation plan under section 1240L(e),
if the person or entity farming the eligible land is
otherwise eligible for the conservation stewardship
program, as determined by the Secretary.
``(B) Determination of compliance.--In the case of
eligible land enrolled in the conservation stewardship
program pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary
shall have the sole responsibility of determining
compliance with the terms of the conservation
stewardship program contract.
``(C) Funding.--Funding received by an eligible
entity pursuant to this paragraph shall not be
considered in the calculation of costs under subsection
(b).
``(2) Timing.--The owner of the eligible land subject to an
easement may exercise the option under paragraph (1)(A) during
the 3-year period beginning on the date on which the easement
is granted.''.
TITLE V--PASTURE-BASED LIVESTOCK
SEC. 501. ANIMAL RAISING CLAIMS.
The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Subtitle H--Animal Raising Claims
``SEC. 298A. DEFINITIONS.
``In this subtitle:
``(1) Animal raising claim.--The term `animal raising
claim' means a statement on the labeling of a meat food product
or poultry product used in interstate commerce that
references--
``(A) the manner in which the source animal for the
meat food product or poultry product was raised,
including--
``(i) production practices that were used,
such as living or raising conditions; and
``(ii) the location or source where the
source animal was born, raised, and processed;
or
``(B) the breed of the source animal.
``(2) Meat food product.--The term `meat food product' has
the meaning given the term in section 1 of the Federal Meat
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601).
``(3) Poultry product.--The term `poultry product' has the
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Poultry Products
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 453).
``(4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the
Agricultural Marketing Service, in coordination with the
Administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service.
``SEC. 298B. REQUIRED VERIFICATION PROCESS FOR ANIMAL RAISING CLAIMS.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to facilitate
marketing, truth in labeling, and new economic opportunities for
producers and businesses using animal raising claims.
``(b) Standards and Procedures.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this subtitle, after providing notice and an
opportunity to comment, and in a manner consistent with United
States obligations under international agreements, the
Secretary shall establish--
``(A) mandatory standards with respect to animal
raising claims, including the standards described in
paragraph (2);
``(B) procedures--
``(i) to verify an animal raising claim
prior to the use in commerce of any meat food
product or poultry product bearing that claim;
and
``(ii) that are incorporated seamlessly
with the labeling requirements under the
Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et
seq.) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act
(21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.); and
``(C) on-farm and supply chain auditing and
verification procedures to ensure the truthfulness of
animal raising claims.
``(2) Standards.--In developing and approving animal
raising claim standards under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary
shall include standards relating to--
``(A) diet claims, including claims that the source
animal was grass fed, vegetarian fed, or fed no animal
byproducts;
``(B) living and raising condition claims,
including claims that the source animal was cage free,
free range, or pasture raised;
``(C) antibiotic and hormone claims, including
claims that the source animal was raised without
antibiotics, had no hormones added, or was raised
without growth promotants;
``(D) source claims that the source animal can be
traced back to its farm of origin from birth to
slaughter;
``(E) age claims;
``(F) animal welfare claims;
``(G) environmental stewardship claims, including
greenhouse gas reduction and carbon sequestration
claims;
``(H) breed claims; and
``(I) any other claim that the Secretary determines
appropriate.
``(3) Consistency with other laws.--The Secretary shall
ensure consistency between the animal raising claim standards
established under this subsection and the Organic Foods
Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) and any rules or
regulations implementing that Act.
``(c) Third-Party Certification.--A producer of a meat food product
or a poultry product may use an animal raising claim that is verified
by a third party if--
``(1) the claim is consistent with standards established by
the Secretary under subsection (b); and
``(2) the procedures used by the third party to verify the
claim, and for any subsequent auditing, are equivalent to the
verification and auditing procedures established under
subsection (b)(1)(C), as determined by the Secretary.
``(d) Approval Process.--To the maximum extent practicable, the
Secretary shall require that a producer seeking to make an animal
raising claim shall submit to the Secretary, prior to using the label
on the meat food product or poultry product that is the subject of the
animal raising claim, the following documentation to support the animal
raising claim:
``(1) A detailed written description explaining the
controls used for ensuring that the animal raising claim is
valid, as applicable--
``(A) from birth to harvest; or
``(B) for the period of raising referenced in the
animal raising claim.
``(2) A signed and dated document describing the manner in
which the source animals were raised.
``(3) A written description of the product tracing and
segregation mechanism used with respect to the applicable meat
food product or poultry product from the time of slaughter of
the source animal or further processing through the packaging
and distribution of the meat food product or poultry product.
``(4) A written description of the identification, control,
and segregation of nonconforming animals or products.
``(5) In the case of a meat food product or poultry product
certified by a third party, a current copy of the third-party
certificate.
``(e) Compliance Requirements.--Beginning on the date that is 3
years after the date of enactment of this subtitle--
``(1) a person may sell or label a domestic meat food
product or poultry product with an animal raising claim only if
the animal raising claim and the meat food product or poultry
product is in compliance with the standards established under
subsection (b); and
``(2) an imported meat food product or poultry product may
be sold or labeled with an animal raising claim if, as
determined by the Secretary, the animal raising claim and the
meat food product or poultry product is in compliance with a
verification program that provides safeguards and guidelines
that are at least equivalent to the standards established under
subsection (b).
``(f) Violations.--
``(1) Misuse of label.--Any person who, after notice and an
opportunity to be heard, is found by the Secretary to have
knowingly sold or labeled any meat food product or poultry
product with an animal raising claim in violation of this
subtitle, including the standards and procedures established
under subsection (b), shall be assessed a civil penalty of not
more than $10,000.
``(2) False statement.--Any person who, after notice and an
opportunity to be heard, is found by the Secretary to have made
to the Secretary, a Federal or State official, or a third-party
certifier a false, fraudulent, or fictitious statement, or to
have concealed to, hidden from, falsified to, or deceived the
Secretary, official, or certifier regarding a material fact,
with respect to an animal raising claim subject to the
requirements of this subtitle, shall be subject to a penalty
described in section 1001 of title 18, United States Code.
``(g) Effect on Other Laws.--Nothing in this section alters the
authority of the Secretary under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21
U.S.C. 601 et seq.) or the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C.
451 et seq.).
``SEC. 298C. APPLICABILITY.
``This subtitle shall only apply to meat food products and poultry
products that are subject to labeling requirements under the Federal
Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) or the Poultry Products
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.).
``SEC. 298D. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such
sums as are necessary to carry out this subtitle.''.
SEC. 502. PROCESSING RESILIENCE GRANT PROGRAM.
Subtitle A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 210B. PROCESSING RESILIENCE GRANT PROGRAM.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Business enterprise owned and controlled by socially
and economically disadvantaged individuals.--The term `business
enterprise owned and controlled by socially and economically
disadvantaged individuals' has the meaning given the term in
section 3002 of the State Small Business Credit Initiative Act
of 2010 (12 U.S.C. 5701).
``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
``(A) a smaller establishment or very small
establishment (as those terms are defined in the final
rule entitled `Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems' (61 Fed. Reg.
33806 (July 25, 1996)));
``(B) a slaughtering or processing establishment
subject to--
``(i) a State meat inspection program
pursuant to section 301 of the Federal Meat
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 661); or
``(ii) a State poultry product inspection
program pursuant to section 5 of the Poultry
Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 454);
``(C) a person engaging in custom operations that
is exempt from inspection under--
``(i) section 23 of the Federal Meat
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 623); or
``(ii) section 15 of the Poultry Products
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 464); and
``(D) a person seeking--
``(i) to establish and operate an
establishment described in subparagraph (A) or
(B); or
``(ii) to engage in custom operations
described in subparagraph (C).
``(3) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the
Agricultural Marketing Service.
``(b) Grants.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall award
competitive grants to eligible entities for activities to
increase resiliency and diversification of the meat processing
system, including activities that--
``(A) support the health and safety of meat and
poultry plant employees, suppliers, and customers;
``(B) support increased processing capacity; and
``(C) otherwise support the resilience of the small
meat and poultry processing sector.
``(2) Maximum amount.--The maximum amount of a grant
awarded under this section shall not exceed $500,000.
``(3) Duration.--The term of a grant awarded under this
section shall not exceed 3 years.
``(c) Applications.--
``(1) In general.--An eligible entity desiring a grant
under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may require.
``(2) Applications for small grants.--The Secretary shall
establish a separate, simplified application process for
eligible entities applying for a grant under this section of
not more than $100,000.
``(3) Requirements.--The Secretary shall ensure that any
application for a grant under this section is--
``(A) simple and practicable;
``(B) accessible online; and
``(C) available through local staff of the
Department of Agriculture.
``(4) Notice.--Not later than 14 days before the date on
which the Secretary begins to accept applications under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall publish a notice of funding
opportunity with respect to the grants available under this
section.
``(5) Reapplication.--If an application of an eligible
entity under this subsection is denied by the Secretary, the
eligible entity may submit a revised application.
``(6) Priority.--In reviewing applications submitted under
this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to proposals
that will--
``(A) increase farmer and rancher access to animal
slaughter options within a 200-mile radius of the
location of the farmer or rancher;
``(B) support an eligible entity described in
subsection (a)(2)(A); or
``(C) support an eligible entity that is a business
enterprise owned and controlled by socially and
economically disadvantaged individuals.
``(d) Use of Grant.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under
this section shall use the grant funds to carry out activities in
support of the purposes described in subsection (b)(1), including
through--
``(1) the development and issuance of a Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Points plan for the eligible entity, which may
be developed by a consultant;
``(2) the purchase or establishment, as applicable, of
facilities, equipment, processes, and operations necessary for
the eligible entity to comply with applicable requirements
under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)
or the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.);
``(3) the purchase of cold storage, equipment, or
transportation services;
``(4) the purchase of temperature screening supplies,
testing for communicable diseases, disinfectant, sanitation
systems, hand washing stations, and other sanitizing supplies;
``(5) the purchase and decontamination of personal
protective equipment;
``(6) the construction or purchase of humane handling
infrastructure, including holding space for livestock prior to
slaughter, shade structures, and knock box structures;
``(7)(A) the purchase of software and computer equipment
for record keeping, production data, Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Points record review, and facilitation of
marketing and sales of products in a manner consistent with the
social distancing guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention; and
``(B) the provision of guidelines and training relating to
that software and computer equipment;
``(8) the provision of staff time and training for
implementing and monitoring health and safety procedures;
``(9) the development of a feasibility study or business
plan for, or the carrying out of any other activity associated
with, establishing or expanding a small meat or poultry
processing facility;
``(10) the purchase of equipment that enables the further
use or value-added sale of coproducts or byproducts, such as
organs, hides, and other relevant products; and
``(11) other activities associated with expanding or
establishing an eligible entity described in subsection
(a)(2)(A), as determined by the Secretary.
``(e) Outreach.--During the period beginning on the date on which
the Secretary publishes the notice under subsection (c)(4) and ending
on the date on which the Secretary begins to accept applications under
subsection (c)(1), the Secretary shall perform outreach to States and
eligible entities relating to grants under this section.
``(f) Federal Share.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Federal
share of the activities carried out using a grant awarded under
this section shall not exceed--
``(A) 90 percent in the case of a grant in the
amount of $100,000 or less; or
``(B) 75 percent in the case of a grant in an
amount greater than $100,000.
``(2) Fiscal years 2023 and 2024.--An eligible entity
awarded a grant under this section during fiscal year 2023 or
2024 shall not be required to provide non-Federal matching
funds with respect to the grant.
``(g) Administration.--The promulgation of regulations under, and
administration of, this section shall be made without regard to--
``(1) the notice and comment provisions of section 553 of
title 5, United States Code; and
``(2) chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly
known as the `Paperwork Reduction Act').
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out this section
$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2028.''.
SEC. 503. CONSERVATION OF PRIVATE GRAZING LAND.
(a) Purpose.--Section 1240M(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3839bb(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``conserving water and''
before ``improving'';
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(3) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(9) conserving and improving soil health and improving
grazing system resilience in the face of climate change through
advanced grazing management practices; and
``(10) providing support for producers transitioning from
confinement and feedlot systems or continuous grazing to
managed grazing-based systems, including support for pasture
development and management.''.
(b) Definitions.--Section 1240M(b)(2) of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``hay land'' and
inserting ``perennial hay land, including silvopasture''.
(c) Private Grazing Land Conservation Assistance.--Section 1240M(c)
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
inserting ``and partnerships described in paragraph
(2)(B)'' after ``local conservation districts'';
(B) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the
following:
``(B) planning and implementing regionally
appropriate, advanced grazing land management
technologies to improve soil health and maximize carbon
sequestration;'';
(C) in subparagraph (C)(iv), by inserting ``through
integrated strategies that include rotational and
multispecies grazing, integrated pest management, and
other ecological practices'' after ``brush encroachment
problems'';
(D) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(E) in subparagraph (I), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(F) by adding at the end the following:
``(J) assisting producers in transitioning from
confinement or feedlot systems or continuous grazing to
managed grazing-based systems, including assistance in
pasture development and management.''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Program elements.--
``(A) Technical assistance and education.--
Personnel of the Department trained in pasture and
range management shall be made available under the
program to deliver and coordinate technical assistance
and education to owners and managers of private grazing
land, including owners and managers interested in
developing new or improved pasture or grazing-based
systems on the land of the owners and managers, at the
request of the owners and managers.
``(B) Partnerships.--In carrying out the program
under this section, the Secretary shall provide
research, demonstration, education (including
conferences, workshops, field days, and trainings),
workforce training, planning, and outreach activities
through partnerships with--
``(i) land-grant colleges and universities
(as defined in section 1404 of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103));
``(ii) nongovernmental organizations; and
``(iii) Tribal organizations.
``(C) Cooperative agreements.--
``(i) In general.--In carrying out the
program under this section, the Secretary shall
provide funds on a competitive basis for
cooperative agreements to regional, State, or
local partnerships to use to conduct grazing
land research, demonstration, education,
workforce training, planning, and outreach
projects.
``(ii) Duration.--Grants made by
partnerships under this subparagraph shall be
for a period not to exceed 3 years.
``(iii) Limitation on indirect costs.--A
partnership that receives funding under this
subparagraph may not use more than 15 percent
of the total cost of the project for the
indirect costs of carrying out the project.
``(iv) Priority.--A partnership that
receives funding under this subparagraph shall
give priority to projects that--
``(I) focus on sustainable grazing
management systems and techniques that
assist producers with multiple
ecosystem services, including climate
change adaptation and mitigation; and
``(II) involve beginning farmers
and ranchers, socially disadvantaged
farmers and ranchers, Tribal producers,
or new graziers (including State or
federally registered
apprenticeships).''.
(d) Grazing Technical Assistance Training.--Section 1240M of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb) is amended by striking
subsection (d) and inserting the following:
``(d) Grazing Technical Assistance Training.--In carrying out the
program under this section, the Secretary shall provide funds to
establish training programs to foster a new generation of technical
assistance providers to support advanced grazing management.''.
(e) Funding.--Section 1240M of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3839bb) is amended by striking subsection (e) and inserting the
following:
``(e) Funding.--
``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this
section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.
``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $60,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.
``(3) Cooperative agreements.--Of the funds made available
under paragraphs (1) and (2), the Secretary shall use not less
than 80 percent to carry out subsection (c)(2)(C).
``(4) Technical assistance training.--Of the funds made
available under paragraphs (1) and (2), the Secretary shall use
not more than 10 percent to carry out subsection (d).''.
SEC. 504. CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM.
(a) Conservation Reserve.--Section 1231 of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2028'';
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (A)
through (E) and inserting the following:
``(A) fiscal year 2024, not more than 28,000,000
acres;
``(B) fiscal year 2025, not more than 29,000,000
acres;
``(C) fiscal year 2026, not more than 30,000,000
acres;
``(D) fiscal year 2027, not more than 31,000,000
acres; and
``(E) fiscal year 2028, not more than 32,000,000
acres.''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(A)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at
the end;
(ii) in clause (ii)(III), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) the Secretary shall enroll and
maintain in the conservation reserve not fewer
than 7,000,000 acres of land described in
subsection (b)(3) by September 30, 2028, of
which not fewer than 5,000,000 acres shall be
reserved for the pilot program established
under section 1231C(c).''.
(b) Pilot Programs.--Section 1231C of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3831c) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Grassland 30.--
``(1) In general.--
``(A) Enrollment.--The Secretary shall establish a
pilot program to enroll land in the conservation
reserve program through a 30-year conservation reserve
contract (referred to in this subsection as a
`Grassland 30 contract') in accordance with this
subsection.
``(B) Inclusion of acreage limitation.--For
purposes of applying the limitations in section
1231(d)(1), the Secretary shall include acres of land
enrolled under this subsection.
``(2) Eligible land.--Eligible land for enrollment through
a Grassland 30 contract--
``(A) is land that is eligible to be enrolled in
the conservation reserve program under the grasslands
initiative described in section 1231(d)(2); and
``(B) shall not be limited to land that is subject
to a covered contract (as defined in paragraph (3)(A)).
``(3) Conservation contract election.--
``(A) Definition of covered contract.--In this
paragraph, the term `covered contract' means a contract
entered into under this subchapter that--
``(i) expires on or after the date of
enactment of this subsection; and
``(ii) covers land enrolled in the
conservation reserve program under the
grasslands initiative described in section
1231(d)(2).
``(B) Expiring contracts.--On the expiration of a
covered contract, an owner or operator party to the
covered contract shall elect--
``(i) not to reenroll the land under the
contract;
``(ii) to offer to reenroll the land under
the contract if the land remains eligible under
the terms in effect as of the date of
expiration; or
``(iii) not to reenroll the land under the
contract and to enroll that land through a
Grassland 30 contract under this subsection.
``(C) Unexpired contracts.--Prior to the expiration
of a covered contract, an owner or operator party to
the covered contract may elect to terminate the
contract and to enroll that land through a Grassland 30
contract under this subsection.
``(4) Term.--The term of a Grassland 30 contract shall be
30 years.
``(5) Agreements.--To be eligible to enroll land in the
conservation reserve program through a Grassland 30 contract,
the owner of the land shall enter into an agreement with the
Secretary--
``(A) to implement a conservation reserve plan
developed for the land;
``(B) to comply with the terms and conditions of
the contract and any related agreements; and
``(C) to temporarily suspend the base history for
the land covered by the contract.
``(6) Terms and conditions of grassland 30 contracts.--
``(A) In general.--A Grassland 30 contract--
``(i) shall include terms and conditions
that promote sustainable grazing systems,
protect and enhance soil carbon levels, and are
compatible with wildlife habitat conservation,
as determined by the Secretary; and
``(ii) may include any additional provision
that the Secretary determines is appropriate to
carry out this subsection or facilitate the
practical administration of this subsection.
``(B) Violation.--On the violation of a term or
condition of a Grassland 30 contract, the Secretary may
require the owner to refund all or part of any payments
received by the owner under the conservation reserve
program, with interest on the payments, as determined
appropriate by the Secretary.
``(C) Compatible uses.--Land subject to a Grassland
30 contract may be used for compatible economic uses,
including hunting and fishing, if the use--
``(i) is specifically permitted by the
conservation reserve plan developed for the
land; and
``(ii) is consistent with the long-term
protection and enhancement of the conservation
resources for which the contract was
established.
``(7) Compensation.--
``(A) Amount of payments.--The Secretary shall
provide payment under this subsection to an owner of
land enrolled through a Grassland 30 contract using 30
annual payments in an amount equal to the amount that
would be used if the land were to be enrolled in the
conservation reserve program under section 1231(d)(2).
``(B) Form of payment.--Compensation for a
Grassland 30 contract shall be provided by the
Secretary in the form of a cash payment in an amount
determined under subparagraph (A).
``(C) Timing.--The Secretary shall provide any
annual payment obligation under subparagraph (A) as
early as practicable in each fiscal year.
``(D) Payments to others.--The Secretary shall make
a payment, in accordance with regulations prescribed by
the Secretary, in a manner as the Secretary determines
is fair and reasonable under the circumstances, if an
owner who is entitled to a payment under this section--
``(i) dies;
``(ii) becomes incompetent;
``(iii) is succeeded by another person or
entity who renders or completes the required
performance; or
``(iv) is otherwise unable to receive the
payment.
``(8) Technical assistance.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall assist
owners in complying with the terms and conditions of a
Grassland 30 contract.
``(B) Contracts or agreements.--The Secretary may
enter into 1 or more contracts with private entities or
agreements with a State, nongovernmental organization,
or Indian Tribe to carry out necessary maintenance of a
Grassland 30 contract if the Secretary determines that
the contract or agreement will advance the purposes of
the conservation reserve program.
``(9) Administration.--
``(A) Conservation reserve plan.--The Secretary
shall develop a conservation reserve plan for any land
subject to a Grassland 30 contract, which shall include
practices and activities necessary to maintain,
protect, and enhance the conservation value of the
enrolled land, including the protection and enhancement
of soil carbon levels.
``(B) Delegation of contract administration.--
``(i) Federal, state, tribal, or local
government agencies.--The Secretary may
delegate any of the management, monitoring, and
enforcement responsibilities of the Secretary
under this subsection to other Federal, State,
Tribal, or local government agencies that have
the appropriate authority, expertise, and
resources necessary to carry out those
delegated responsibilities.
``(ii) Conservation organizations.--The
Secretary may delegate any management
responsibilities of the Secretary under this
subsection to conservation organizations if the
Secretary determines the conservation
organization has similar expertise and
resources.''.
SEC. 505. ALTERNATIVE MANURE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.
Chapter 5 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb et seq.) (as amended by section 304) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 1240T. ALTERNATIVE MANURE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Alternative manure management program.--The term
`alternative manure management program' means the program
established under subsection (b).
``(2) Covered management measure.--The term `covered
management measure' means a dairy or livestock operation method
that is used by an eligible producer to reduce baseline methane
emissions and, where applicable, improve carbon sequestration
on the operation of that eligible producer, including the
measures described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of
subsection (f)(2).
``(3) Eligible producer.--The term `eligible producer'
means a dairy or livestock producer who agrees to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions by adopting at least 1 covered
management measure as an alternative or complement to anaerobic
systems that capture methane emissions.
``(4) Pasture-based management.--The term `pasture-based
management' means a dairy or livestock production system--
``(A) that eliminates or reduces the quantity of
manure stored in anaerobic conditions; and
``(B) in which the animals spend all or a
substantial portion of their time grazing on fields in
which some or all of the manure is deposited and left
in the field and decomposes aerobically.
``(5) Solid separation system.--The term `solid separation
system' means a system designed to separate liquid components
of manure from mineral and organic solid components of that
manure.
``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an alternative
manure management program to award contracts to eligible producers to
support carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions reductions by
implementing covered management measures.
``(c) Submission of Contract Offers.--To be eligible to participate
in the alternative manure management program, an eligible producer
shall submit to the Secretary a contract offer that details any
management measure to be used on the operation of the eligible
producer.
``(d) Cluster Contract Offers.--The Secretary shall establish
procedures under which--
``(1) groups of eligible producers may submit a joint
contract offer for a shared composting facility; and
``(2) the Secretary shall allocate payments to each
eligible producer associated with a joint contract described in
paragraph (1).
``(e) Duties of the Secretary.--
``(1) Evaluation criteria.--The Secretary shall develop
criteria for evaluating applications that will maximize--
``(A) carbon sequestration;
``(B) greenhouse gas emissions reductions; and
``(C) the overall environmental and public health
benefits.
``(2) Priority.--In awarding contracts under this section,
the Secretary, using criteria developed under paragraph (1),
shall give priority to contract offers that address air
quality, water quality, or other public health concerns
associated with dairy and livestock operations located near
low-income or underserved communities.
``(3) Grouping of applications.--The Secretary may group
and evaluate contract offers relative to other contract offers
for similar farming operations.
``(4) Geographical diversity.--In awarding contracts under
this section, the Secretary shall ensure geographical
diversity.
``(f) Contract Provisions.--
``(1) Term.--A contract awarded under this section shall
have a term that does not exceed 3 years.
``(2) Covered management measures.--Each eligible producer
requesting funding for a project under the alternative manure
management program shall implement at least 1 of the following
management measures:
``(A) With respect to pasture-based management--
``(i) adopting pasture-based management;
``(ii) converting a non-pasture dairy or
livestock operation to pasture-based
management;
``(iii) increasing the amount of time
livestock spend at pasture at an existing
pasture operation; or
``(iv) improving pasture-based management,
including transitioning to management-intensive
rotational grazing (as defined in section
1240L(d)(1)).
``(B) Adopting alternative manure treatment and
storage practices, including--
``(i) the installation of a compost-bedded
pack barn that composts manure;
``(ii) the installation of slatted floor
pit storage manure collection that is cleaned
out at least once a month; or
``(iii) other similar practices, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(C)(i) Adopting a solid separation system,
installing a new solid separation system that has a
significantly higher separation efficiency than any
existing solid separation system, or developing or
retrofitting a manure management system that primarily
avoids wet handling infrastructure; and
``(ii) in conjunction with 1 or more of the
following management measures:
``(I) Open solar drying or composting of
manure onsite.
``(II) Solar drying in an enclosed
environment.
``(III) Forced evaporation with natural-gas
fueled dryers.
``(IV) Storage of manure in unconfined
piles or stacks.
``(V) Composting in an enclosed vessel,
with forced aeration and continuous mixing.
``(VI) Composting in piles with forced
aeration without mixing.
``(VII) Composting in intensive windrows
with regular turning for mixing and aeration.
``(VIII) Composting in passive windrows
with infrequent turning for mixing and
aeration.
``(IX) Vermiculture or vermifiltration.
``(X) Other similar activities, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(D) Adopting scrape technologies, in conjunction
with 1 of the management measures described in
subclauses (I) through (X) of subparagraph (C)(ii).
``(3) Duties of eligible producers under contract.--To
receive payments under the alternative manure management
program, an eligible producer shall--
``(A) implement 1 or more management measures;
``(B) supply information as required by the
Secretary to determine compliance with the requirements
of the alternative manure management program; and
``(C) comply with such additional provisions as the
Secretary determines are necessary to carry out the
alternative manure management program.
``(g) Payments to Eligible Producers.--
``(1) In general.--During each of fiscal years 2024 through
2028, the Secretary shall provide payments to eligible
producers that enter into contracts with the Secretary under
the alternative manure management program.
``(2) Availability of payments.--Payments provided to an
eligible producer under this section may be used to implement 1
or more covered management measures.
``(3) Payment amounts.--The Secretary may provide a payment
to an eligible producer under the alternative manure management
program for an amount that is up to 100 percent of the costs
associated with planning, design, materials, equipment,
installation, labor, management, maintenance, and training
relating to implementing a covered management measure.
``(4) Limitation on payments.--A person or legal entity
(including a joint venture and a general partnership) may not
receive, directly or indirectly, payments under the program
that exceed $825,000 during any 5-year period.
``(5) Advanced payments.--The Secretary shall provide not
less than 50 percent of the amount of total payments to an
eligible producer in advance for all costs relating to--
``(A) purchasing or contracting materials and
equipment; or
``(B) any technical assistance provided by the
Secretary.
``(h) Modification or Termination of Contracts.--
``(1) Voluntary modification or termination.--The Secretary
may modify or terminate a contract entered into with an
eligible producer under the alternative manure management
program if--
``(A) the producer agrees to the modification or
termination; and
``(B) the Secretary determines that the
modification or termination is in the public interest.
``(2) Involuntary termination.--The Secretary may terminate
a contract under the alternative manure management program if
the Secretary determines that the eligible producer violated
the contract.
``(i) Duties of the Secretary.--The Secretary shall--
``(1) determine and publish factors for estimating the
carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions reductions
for each covered management measure described in subclauses (I)
through (X) of subsection (f)(2)(C)(ii);
``(2) assist an eligible producer in achieving the carbon
sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and other
environmental and public health goals of the alternative manure
management program plan by--
``(A) providing payments for developing and
implementing 1 or more covered management measures, as
appropriate; and
``(B) providing that eligible producer with
information, technical assistance, and training to aid
in implementation of the covered management measures;
and
``(3) review the adequacy of existing conservation practice
standards for supporting the covered management measures and,
if necessary--
``(A) revise existing conservation practice
standards; and
``(B) develop new conservation practice standards.
``(j) Technical Assistance.--In providing technical assistance
under the alternative manure management program, the Secretary shall
apply sections 1241(c) and 1242, except that the Secretary shall--
``(1) apportion not more than 15 percent of the total
funding available for the alternative manure management program
for the provision of technical assistance; and
``(2) enter into cooperative agreements with third-party
providers with relevant expertise in the covered management
measures to ensure adequate technical services are available to
alternative manure management program applicants.
``(k) Funding.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall use the funds,
facilities, and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation
to carry out the alternative manure management program
(including the provision of technical assistance described in
subsection (j)) using $1,500,000,000 for the period of fiscal
years 2024 through 2028.
``(2) Reservations of funds.--The Secretary shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, use a majority of the funds made
available by paragraph (1) for contract offers from small and
mid-sized dairy and livestock operations, including--
``(A) beginning farmers or ranchers;
``(B) limited resource farmers and ranchers; and
``(C) socially disadvantaged farmers and
ranchers.''.
TITLE VI--ON-FARM RENEWABLE ENERGY
SEC. 601. RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM.
Section 9007 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(7 U.S.C. 8107) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``and renewable energy development'' and
inserting ``, renewable energy development, and the
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by adding ``that reduce
greenhouse gas emissions'' before the period at the
end;
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (D), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as
subparagraph (G); and
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (D)
the following:
``(E) a nonprofit corporation;
``(F) an agricultural cooperative or producer
group; and'';
(B) in paragraph (3)(D), by inserting before the
semicolon at the end the following: ``, including
greenhouse gas emissions reductions''; and
(C) in paragraph (4)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by inserting ``, agricultural
processors,'' after ``agricultural producers'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(iii) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking
the period at the end and inserting ``; and'';
and
(iv) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) assisting in the development of feasibility
studies and plans for implementing recommendations
provided under subparagraph (B).'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A)(i), by inserting ``,
agricultural processors,'' after ``agricultural
producers'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) and
(G) as subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively;
and
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (E)
the following:
``(F) carbon accounting assessments developed under
subsection (d) with respect to the renewable energy
system to be installed or the energy efficiency upgrade
to be undertaken;'';
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``The
amount'' and all that follows through ``25
percent'' and inserting ``Except as provided in
subparagraph (F), the amount of a grant under
this subsection shall not exceed 50 percent'';
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and
(D) as subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively;
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (B)
the following:
``(C) Maximum percentage of loan guarantee.--The
portion of a loan that the Secretary may guarantee
under this section shall be--
``(i) in the case of a loan in the amount
of not less than $1,000,000, 80 percent of the
principal amount of the loan; and
``(ii) in the case of a loan in an amount
less than $1,000,000, 90 percent of the
principal amount of the loan.'';
(iv) in subparagraph (E) (as so
redesignated), by striking ``subsection (f)''
and inserting ``subsection (h)''; and
(v) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) Underserved producers.--The amount of a grant
provided under this subsection to an agricultural
producer who is a beginning farmer or rancher, a
socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, or a veteran
farmer or rancher (as those terms are defined in
section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a))) shall not
exceed 75 percent of the cost of the activity funded by
the grant.'';
(D) in paragraph (4), by adding at the end the
following:
``(F) Pre-approved technologies.--In order to
streamline the adoption of renewable energy systems and
energy efficiency improvements, the Secretary shall
develop a streamlined application process for projects
utilizing pre-approved products and technologies
included on the list described in paragraph (5).''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Pre-approved list.--The Secretary shall, beginning in
fiscal year 2024--
``(A) develop a list of pre-approved technologies
and products for purposes of paragraph (4)(F); and
``(B) update that list every 2 fiscal years.
``(6) Priority.--In making grants or loan guarantees under
this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to proposed
projects that utilize technologies--
``(A) with a substantially low carbon footprint; or
``(B) that would result in significant net
decreases of greenhouse gas emissions, as determined by
the Secretary using the carbon accounting assessments
developed under subsection (d).'';
(4) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), and (f) as
subsections (f), (g), and (h), respectively;
(5) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
``(d) Carbon Accounting.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of the Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023, the
Secretary, in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory, shall develop carbon accounting assessments for
renewable energy systems and energy efficiency upgrades
(including technologies on the list described in subsection
(c)(5)(A) and technologies described in subsection (h)(5)(A))
supported by assistance provided under this section.
``(2) Methodologies.--In developing the carbon accounting
assessments under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, create accurate methodologies for
assigning greenhouse gas emission values, including land use
change.
``(3) Program guidance.--The Secretary shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, use the carbon accounting
assessments developed under paragraph (1) as guides in carrying
out this section.
``(e) Regional Demonstration Projects.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out regional
demonstration projects that incentivize agricultural producers
to reduce their carbon footprint or overall carbon equivalent
emissions to the maximum extent practicable through the use of
energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems.
``(2) Publicization.--The Secretary shall publicize the
results of the regional demonstration projects carried out
under paragraph (1).'';
(6) in subsection (f) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``and
Technical Assistance'' after ``Outreach'';
(B) by striking ``The Secretary shall'' and
inserting ``Using funds made available under subsection
(h)(4), the Secretary shall'';
(C) by inserting ``and technical assistance'' after
``outreach''; and
(D) by inserting ``or provided, as applicable,''
after ``conducted'';
(7) in subsection (g) (as so redesignated), by striking
``subsection (f)'' each place it appears and inserting
``subsection (h)''; and
(8) in subsection (h) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (A)
through (E) and inserting the following:
``(A) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2023;
``(B) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
``(C) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
``(D) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; and
``(E) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 and each
fiscal year thereafter.'';
(B) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``become
available'' and inserting ``be used''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Administrative expenses.--Of the funds made available
to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary
shall use not more than 8 percent for administrative expenses.
``(5) Reservation of funds.--Of the funds made available to
carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary may
reserve--
``(A) not more than 15 percent to provide grants
under subsection (c) to support the adoption of
underutilized but proven commercial technologies; and
``(B) not more than 5 percent to carry out
subsection (e).''.
SEC. 602. AGRIVOLTAIC SYSTEMS.
(a) Definition of Agrivoltaic System.--In this section, the term
``agrivoltaic system'' means a system under which solar energy
production and agricultural production, including crop or animal
production or apiculture, occurs in an integrated manner on the same
piece of land.
(b) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a study on
agrivoltaic systems that shall include--
(A) an assessment of the compatibility of different
species of livestock with different agrivoltaic system
designs, including--
(i) the optimal height of and distance
between solar panels for--
(I) livestock grazing; and
(II) shade for livestock;
(ii) manure management considerations;
(iii) fencing requirements; and
(iv) other animal handling considerations;
(B) an assessment of animal breeding research needs
with respect to beneficial and compatible
characteristics and behaviors of different species of
grazing animals in agrivoltaic systems;
(C) an assessment of the compatibility of different
crop types with different agrivoltaic system designs,
including--
(i) the optimal height of and distance
between solar panels for--
(I) plant shading; and
(II) farm equipment use;
(ii) the impact on crop yield; and
(iii) market opportunities to sell crops at
a premium price;
(D) an assessment of plant breeding research needs
with respect to beneficial and compatible
characteristics of different crops, including specialty
and perennial crops, in agrivoltaic systems;
(E) a risk-benefit analysis of agrivoltaic systems
in different regions of the United States, including a
comparison between the total greenhouse gas impact of
agrivoltaic systems and solar energy systems that
displace agricultural production;
(F) an assessment of the types of agricultural land
best suited and worst suited for agrivoltaic systems;
(G) an assessment of how to best develop
agrivoltaic systems on a national and local scale
consistent with--
(i) maintaining or increasing agricultural
production;
(ii) increasing agricultural resilience;
(iii) retaining prime farmland;
(iv) increasing economic opportunities in
farming and rural communities;
(v) reducing nonfarmer ownership of
farmland; and
(vi) enhancing biodiversity;
(H) an assessment of the unique risk management and
crop insurance needs of agrivoltaic systems;
(I) an assessment of how Federal procurement of
agricultural products could help build a market for
agricultural products from farms with agrivoltaic
systems; and
(J) an assessment of how Federal agricultural
conservation programs, renewable energy programs, and
investment tax credits can better support agrivoltaic
systems.
(2) 5-year plan.--Based on the study under paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall develop a 5-year plan for using the
research, extension, outreach, conservation, and renewable
energy activities of the Department of Agriculture to better
support agrivoltaic systems that do not displace agricultural
production.
(3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the
Senate a report containing the results of the study conducted
under paragraph (1).
(c) Agrivoltaic System Research and Demonstration.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service and in
coordination with the relevant research programs of the
Department of Energy, shall establish and maintain a network of
research and demonstration sites operated by the Agricultural
Research Service to investigate and demonstrate agrivoltaic
systems in multiple regions of the United States, including
arid, semi-arid, and wet agricultural zones, that--
(A) increase agricultural productivity and
profitability;
(B) enhance agricultural resilience and the
capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change;
(C) protect biodiversity; and
(D) increase economic opportunities in farming and
rural communities.
(2) Coordination.--In establishing and maintaining the
network described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
collaborate with USDA Climate Hubs to share research findings
and translate research findings into educational, outreach, and
technical assistance materials for agricultural producers.
(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $15,000,000 for
fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter.
SEC. 603. AGSTAR PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall maintain the program known as
the ``AgSTAR program'' within the Department of Agriculture, under
which the Secretary shall--
(1) support the use of anaerobic digestion in the
agricultural sector to reduce methane emissions from livestock
waste;
(2) conduct outreach, education, and training on anaerobic
digestion of livestock waste;
(3) provide technical and regulatory assistance on
anaerobic digestion of livestock waste to stakeholders,
including farmers and ranchers, on issues including--
(A) permitting;
(B) codigestion of multiple organic wastes in one
digester; and
(C) interconnection to physically link a digester
to the electrical power grid;
(4) promote centralized, multifarm digesters that use
livestock waste from more than 1 farm or ranch;
(5) collect and report data on anaerobic digestion of
livestock waste; and
(6) maintain a database of on-farm anaerobic digester
projects in the United States.
(b) Transition From EPA.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency shall take such steps as are necessary to
provide for an orderly transition for the activities carried
out under the AgSTAR program by the Environmental Protection
Agency to be carried out by the Secretary, in accordance with
subsection (c).
(2) Deadline.--The Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency shall finish carrying out paragraph (1) by
not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act,
such that the Secretary has sole jurisdiction of the AgSTAR
program by that date.
(c) Administration.--The Secretary shall carry out the AgSTAR
program through the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation
Service--
(1) in coordination with the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency and other Federal agencies as
necessary; and
(2) in partnership with the climate hubs, cooperative
extension services, and agencies of the Department of
Agriculture.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the AgSTAR program not more
than $5,000,000 for each fiscal year.
TITLE VII--FOOD LOSS AND WASTE
Subtitle A--Food Date Labeling
SEC. 701. DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle:
(1) Administering secretaries.--The term ``administering
Secretaries'' means--
(A) the Secretary, with respect to any product that
is--
(i) under the jurisdiction of the
Secretary; and
(ii)(I) a poultry product (as defined in
section 4 of the Poultry Products Inspection
Act (21 U.S.C. 453));
(II) a meat food product (as defined in
section 1 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act
(21 U.S.C. 601)); or
(III) an egg product (as defined in section
4 of the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C.
1033)); and
(B) the Secretary of Health and Human Services,
with respect to any product that is--
(i) under the jurisdiction of the Secretary
of Health and Human Services; and
(ii) a food (as defined in section 201 of
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21
U.S.C. 321)).
(2) Discard date.--The term ``discard date'' means a date
voluntarily printed on food packaging that signifies the end of
the estimated period of shelf life under any stated storage
conditions, after which the food labeler advises the product
not be consumed.
(3) Food labeler.--The term ``food labeler'' means the
producer, manufacturer, distributor, or retailer that places a
date label on food packaging of a product.
(4) Quality date.--The term ``quality date'' means a date
voluntarily printed on food packaging that is intended to
communicate to consumers the date after which--
(A) the quality of the product may begin to
deteriorate; but
(B) the product remains apparently wholesome food
(as defined in subsection (b) of the Bill Emerson Good
Samaritan Food Donation Act (42 U.S.C. 1791(b))).
SEC. 702. QUALITY DATES AND DISCARD DATES.
(a) Quality Dates.--
(1) In general.--If a food labeler includes a quality date
on food packaging, the label shall use the uniform quality date
label phrase under paragraph (2).
(2) Uniform phrase.--The uniform quality date label phrase
under this paragraph shall be ``BEST If Used By'' or, if
permissible under subsection (c)(3), the standard abbreviation
of ``BB'', unless and until the administering Secretaries,
acting jointly, specify through rulemaking another uniform
phrase to be used for purposes of complying with paragraph (1).
(3) Option of the labeler.--The decisions on whether to
include a quality date on food packaging and which foods should
be so labeled shall be at the discretion of the food labeler.
(b) Discard Dates.--
(1) In general.--If a food labeler includes a discard date
on food packaging, the label shall use the uniform discard date
label phrase under paragraph (2).
(2) Uniform phrase.--The uniform discard date label phrase
under this paragraph shall be ``USE By'' or, if permissible
under subsection (c)(3), the standard abbreviation of ``UB'',
unless and until the administering Secretaries, acting jointly,
specify through rulemaking another uniform phrase to be used
for purposes of complying with paragraph (1).
(3) Option of the labeler.--The decisions on whether to
include a discard date on food packaging and which foods should
be so labeled shall be at the discretion of the food labeler.
(c) Quality Date and Discard Date Labeling.--
(1) In general.--The quality date or discard date, as
applicable, and immediately adjacent uniform quality date label
phrase or discard date label phrase--
(A) shall be--
(i) in single easy-to-read type style; and
(ii) located in a conspicuous place on the
package of the food; and
(B) may be on the label or, at the discretion of
the food labeler, elsewhere on the package.
(2) Date format.--Each quality date and discard date shall
be stated in terms of day and month and, as appropriate, year.
(3) Abbreviations.--A food labeler may use a standard
abbreviation of ``BB'' and ``UB'' for the quality date and
discard date, respectively, only if the food packaging is too
small to include the uniform phrase described in subsection
(a)(2) or (b)(2), as applicable.
(4) Freeze by.--A food labeler may add ``or Freeze By''
following a quality date or discard date uniform phrase.
(d) Education.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the administering Secretaries, acting jointly, shall
provide consumer education and outreach on the meaning of quality date
and discard date food labels.
(e) Rules of Construction; Preemption.--
(1) Infant formula.--This title and the amendments made by
this title shall not--
(A) apply to infant formula (as defined in section
201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21
U.S.C. 321)); and
(B) affect the requirements relating to infant
formula established under section 412 of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 350a) or other
applicable provisions of law.
(2) Sale or donation of food based on discard date.--
Nothing in this title or an amendment made by this title
prohibits any State or political subdivision of a State from
establishing or continuing in effect any requirement that
prohibits the sale or donation of foods based on passage of the
discard date.
(3) Time temperature indicator labels.--Nothing in this
title or an amendment made by this title prohibits or restricts
the use of time-temperature indicator labels or similar
technology that is in addition to or in lieu of any uniform
quality date label phrase under subsection (a)(2) or uniform
discard date label phrase under subsection (b)(2).
(4) Preemption.--No State or political subdivision of a
State may establish or continue in effect any requirement
that--
(A) relates to the inclusion in food labeling of a
quality date or a discard date that is different from
or in addition to, or that is otherwise not identical
with, the requirements of this Act and the amendments
made by this Act; or
(B) prohibits the sale or donation of foods based
on passage of the quality date.
(5) Enforcement.--The administering Secretaries, acting
jointly and in coordination with the Federal Trade Commission,
shall ensure that the uniform quality date label phrase and
uniform discard date label phrase are standardized across all
food products.
(6) Savings.--Notwithstanding paragraph (4), nothing in
this title, any amendment made by this title, or any standard
or requirement imposed pursuant to this title preempts,
displaces, or supplants any State or Federal common law rights
or any State or Federal statute creating a remedy for civil
relief, including a remedy for civil damage, or a penalty for
criminal conduct.
SEC. 703. MISBRANDING.
(a) FDA Violations.--Section 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(z) If it is food and its labeling is in violation of section 702
of the Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023.''.
(b) Poultry Products.--Section 4(h) of the Poultry Products
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 453(h)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (11), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (12), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(13) if its labeling is in violation of section 702 of
the Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023.''.
(c) Meat Products.--Section 1(n) of the Federal Meat Inspection Act
(21 U.S.C. 601(n)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (11), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (12), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(13) if its labeling is in violation of section 702 of
the Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023.''.
(d) Egg Products.--Section 7(b) of the Egg Products Inspection Act
(21 U.S.C. 1036(b)) is amended in the first sentence by inserting ``or
if its labeling is in violation of section 702 of the Agriculture
Resilience Act of 2023'' before the period at the end.
SEC. 704. REGULATIONS.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the
administering Secretaries, acting jointly, shall promulgate final
regulations for carrying out this title and the amendments made by this
title.
SEC. 705. DELAYED APPLICABILITY.
This title and the amendments made by this title shall apply only
with respect to food products that are labeled on or after the date
that is 2 years after the date of promulgation of final regulations
under section 704.
Subtitle B--Other Provisions
SEC. 711. COMPOSTING AS CONSERVATION PRACTICE.
(a) Conservation Standards and Requirements.--Section 1241(j) of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(j)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Composting as conservation practice and activity.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall, by
regulation, provide that composting is a conservation
practice and a conservation activity for the purposes
of this title.
``(B) Definition of composting.--
``(i) In general.--In this paragraph, the
term `composting' means--
``(I) an activity (including an
activity that does not require the use
of a composting facility) to produce
compost from organic waste that is--
``(aa) generated on a farm;
or
``(bb) brought to a farm
from a nearby community and
used to produce compost on that
farm; and
``(II) the use and active
management of compost on a farm, in
accordance with any applicable Federal,
State, or local law, to improve water
retention and soil health.
``(ii) Determination of nearby
communities.--The Secretary, in consultation
with the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency, shall issue regulations for
determining whether a community is nearby for
purposes of clause (i)(I)(bb), which shall
ensure that bringing organic waste from the
community to the farm to produce compost
results in a net reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions.''.
(b) Conservation Stewardship Program.--Section 1240I(2)(B)(i) of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-21(2)(B)(i)) is amended
by inserting ``and composting (as defined in section 1241(j)(2)(B))''
after ``agriculture drainage management systems''.
(c) Environmental Quality Incentives Program.--Section
1240A(6)(A)(ii) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-
1(6)(A)(ii)) is amended by inserting ``, including composting (as
defined in section 1241(j)(2)(B))'' before the semicolon at the end.
(d) Delivery of Technical Assistance.--Section 1242(h) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(h)) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(5) Development of composting practice standard.--In
addition to conducting a review under this subsection of any
composting facilities practice standard established before the
date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall
develop and implement a composting practice standard under the
process developed under paragraph (3).''.
SEC. 712. AMENDMENTS TO FEDERAL FOOD DONATION ACT.
(a) Purpose.--Section 2 of the Federal Food Donation Act of 2008
(Public Law 110-247; 42 U.S.C. 1792 note) is amended by striking
``encourage'' and inserting ``require''.
(b) Definitions.--Section 3 of the Federal Food Donation Act of
2008 (Public Law 110-247; 42 U.S.C. 1792 note) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs
(4) and (5), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Executive agency.--The term `executive agency' has
the meaning given the term in section 133 of title 41, United
States Code.''.
(c) Report on Food Waste by Certain Federal Contractors.--Section 4
of the Federal Food Donation Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 1792) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--
``(1) Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of the Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023, the
Federal Acquisition Regulation issued in accordance with
section 1121 of title 41, United States Code, shall be revised
to provide that, except as provided in paragraph (2), all
contracts greater than $10,000 for the provision, service, or
sale of food in the United States, or for the lease or rental
of Federal property to a private entity for events at which
food is provided in the United States, shall include a clause
that--
``(A) requires the donation of excess, apparently
wholesome food to nonprofit organizations that provide
assistance to food-insecure people in the United
States;
``(B) states the terms and conditions described in
subsection (b); and
``(C) requires the submission of a report, annually
if applicable--
``(i) in a form and manner specified by the
executive agency awarding the contract; and
``(ii) that describes, for each month of
performance of the contract during the period
covered by the report, the weight of apparently
wholesome food that was disposed of pursuant to
the contract by--
``(I) donation, organized by the
name of the organization receiving the
food;
``(II) composting or other
recycling; or
``(III) discarding, organized by
the reason that the food was discarded.
``(2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a
contract with an executive agency that has issued a regulation
in effect on the date of enactment of the Agriculture
Resilience Act of 2023 that prohibits a donation described in
paragraph (1)(A).''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Application to Congress.--
``(1) Contracts.--This Act shall apply to the House of
Representatives and the Senate, and to contracts entered into
by the House of Representatives and the Senate, in the same
manner and to the same extent as this Act applies to an
executive agency and to contracts entered into by an executive
agency pursuant to this Act.
``(2) Administration.--For purposes of carrying out
paragraph (1)--
``(A) the Chief Administrative Officer of the House
of Representatives shall be considered to be the head
of the House of Representatives; and
``(B) the Secretary of the Senate shall be
considered to be the head of the Senate.
``(d) Reports.--
``(1) Report to omb.--Not later than 30 days after the date
on which an executive agency receives a report described in
subsection (a)(1)(C), the executive agency shall submit a copy
of the report to the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget.
``(2) Report to congress.--The Director of the Office of
Management and Budget shall submit to Congress an annual report
aggregating the information in the reports received under
paragraph (1) during the year covered by the report to
Congress.''.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--The Federal Food Donation Act
of 2008 (Public Law 110-247; 122 Stat. 2314) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Agriculture to carry out this Act $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 and
each fiscal year thereafter.''.
SEC. 713. GRANTS FOR COMPOSTING AND ANAEROBIC DIGESTION FOOD WASTE-TO-
ENERGY PROJECTS.
(a) In General.--Subtitle G of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42
U.S.C. 6971 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 7011. GRANTS FOR COMPOSTING AND ANAEROBIC DIGESTION FOOD WASTE-
TO-ENERGY PROJECTS.
``(a) Definition of State.--In this section, the term `State'
means--
``(1) each of the several States;
``(2) the District of Columbia;
``(3) each territory or possession of the United States;
and
``(4) each federally recognized Indian Tribe.
``(b) Grants.--The Administrator shall establish a grant program to
award grants to States eligible to receive the grants under subsection
(c)(1) to construct large-scale composting or anaerobic digestion food
waste-to-energy projects.
``(c) Eligible States.--
``(1) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, a State shall--
``(A) have in effect a plan to limit the quantity
of food waste that may be disposed of in landfills in
the State; and
``(B) provide to the Administrator--
``(i) a written commitment that the State
has read and agrees to comply with the Food
Recovery Hierarchy of the Environmental
Protection Agency, particularly as applied to
apparently wholesome food (as defined in
section 22(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of
1966 (42 U.S.C. 1791(b))) that may be provided
to or received by the State; and
``(ii) a written end-product recycling plan
that provides for the beneficial use of the
material resulting from any anaerobic digestion
food waste-to-energy operation with respect to
which the grant is made, in a manner that meets
all applicable Federal, State, and local laws
that protect human health and the environment.
``(2) Limitation.--A grant under subsection (b) may not be
used for an anaerobic digester that uses solely manure as
undigested biomass.
``(3) Preference.--The Administrator shall give preference
to grants under subsection (b) for anaerobic digesters that use
primarily nonedible food, crop waste, or nonedible food and
crop waste as undigested biomass.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each fiscal
year.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Solid Waste
Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 7010 the following:
``Sec. 7011. Grants for composting and anaerobic digestion food waste-
to-energy projects.''.
SEC. 714. SCHOOL FOOD WASTE REDUCTION GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769) is amended by inserting before
subsection (b) the following:
``(a) School Food Waste Reduction Grant Program.--
``(1) Definition of eligible local educational agency.--In
this subsection, the term `eligible local educational agency'
means a local educational agency that participates in the
school lunch program under this Act or the school breakfast
program established under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act
of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773).
``(2) Establishment.--The Secretary shall carry out a
program to make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible
local educational agencies to carry out food waste measurement,
prevention, and reduction projects.
``(3) Regional balance.--In awarding grants under this
subsection, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, ensure--
``(A) that a grant is awarded to an eligible local
educational agency in each region served by the
Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service; and
``(B) equitable treatment of rural, urban, and
tribal communities.
``(4) Grants.--
``(A) Application.--To be eligible to receive a
grant under this subsection, an eligible local
educational agency shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Secretary may require.
``(B) Priority.--In making grants under this
subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to an
eligible local educational agency that demonstrates in
the application submitted under subparagraph (A) that
the grant will be used--
``(i) to carry out experiential education
activities that encourage children enrolled in
the eligible local educational agency to
participate in food waste measurement and
education;
``(ii) to prioritize the best use of food
in accordance with the Food Recovery Hierarchy
published by the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency;
``(iii) with respect to food waste
prevention and reduction, to collaborate with
other eligible local educational agencies,
Indian Tribes, nongovernmental and community-
based organizations, and other community
partners;
``(iv) to establish a food waste
measurement, prevention, and reduction project
with long-term sustainability; and
``(v) to evaluate the activities described
in clauses (i) through (iv) and make evaluation
plans.
``(C) Use of funds.--An eligible local educational
agency that receives a grant under this subsection
shall use the grant to carry out 1 or more of the
following activities:
``(i) Planning a food waste measurement,
prevention, and reduction project.
``(ii) Implementing a food waste
measurement, prevention, and reduction project.
``(iii) Providing training to support a
food waste measurement, prevention, and
reduction project.
``(iv) Purchasing equipment to support a
food waste measurement, prevention, and
reduction project.
``(v) Offering food waste education to
students enrolled in the eligible local
educational agency.
``(D) Cost-sharing.--
``(i) In general.--The amount of a grant
provided under this subsection shall not exceed
75 percent of the total cost of the project for
which the grant is provided.
``(ii) Non-federal share.--An eligible
local educational agency that receives a grant
under this subsection shall use non-Federal
funds in the form of cash or in-kind
contributions, including facilities, equipment,
or services provided by State and local
governments, nonprofit organizations, and
private sources, to pay for the remaining cost
of the project for which the grant is provided.
``(5) Evaluation.--
``(A) Cooperation.--As a condition of receiving a
grant under this subsection, each eligible local
educational agency shall agree to cooperate in an
evaluation by the Secretary of the project carried out
by the eligible local educational agency as part of the
evaluation conducted by the Secretary under
subparagraph (B).
``(B) Periodic evaluation.--Not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of the Agriculture
Resilience Act of 2023, and every 2 years thereafter,
the Secretary shall evaluate the grants made under this
subsection, including--
``(i) the amount of Federal funds used to
award those grants; and
``(ii) an evaluation of the outcomes of the
projects carried out using those grants.
``(C) Report.--The Secretary shall submit to
Congress as a report each evaluation carried out under
subparagraph (B).''.
(b) Technical Assistance.--Section 21(b) of the Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769b-1(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) food waste measurement, prevention, and reduction.''.
SEC. 715. SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS TO DECREASE INCIDENCE OF
FOOD WASTE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall support national media
campaigns to decrease the incidence of food waste.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 716. FOOD WASTE RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--The Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison of
the Department of Agriculture (in this section referred to as the
``Liaison'') shall establish a partnership with 5 regional partner
institutions, selected under subsection (c), to carry out a Food Waste
Research Program (in this section referred to as the ``Program'').
(b) Food Waste Research Program Requirements.--
(1) Duties.--In carrying out the Program, the Liaison, in
partnership with the 5 regional partner institutions selected
under subsection (c), shall--
(A) plan, conduct, and arrange for public research,
data, education, and recommendations within the areas
of study specified in paragraph (2), as such areas
relate to food waste reduction and food recovery issues
nationwide, regionally, and locally;
(B) carry out the activities of the Program within
a variety of regions in the United States, which are
identified and categorized by the Liaison based on the
specific food recovery and food waste reduction issues
of such regions;
(C) identify areas to increase efficiency in the
allocation of resources and the coordination,
cooperation, and consolidation of efforts as they
relate to local, statewide, Tribal, regional, and
Federal food recovery and food waste reduction efforts;
(D) create a Program website, as described in
paragraph (4), to disseminate information to the
public; and
(E) collaborate with other colleges, universities,
and nonprofit organizations in the regions selected by
the Liaison that have demonstrated capability for
research, information dissemination, and professional
training in order to develop regional networks that are
knowledgeable in food waste reduction issues.
(2) Areas of study.--In carrying out the duties listed in
paragraph (1), the Liaison and the regional partner
institutions shall consider the following areas of study:
(A) Reducing the volume of surplus food produced.
(B) Utilizing excess food to feed individuals in
need, including through the use of donations of surplus
food.
(C) Diverting food unusable for purposes described
in subparagraph (B) to feed animals.
(D) Utilizing food waste to create renewable energy
sources.
(E) Composting food waste to create nutrient rich
soil.
(F) Diminishing the deposits of food waste in
landfills and reducing the incineration of food waste.
(3) Use of funds.--
(A) In general.--The Liaison may make funds
available under this section to improve the capacities
and facilities of the regional partner institutions to
a level that meets the requirements of the role of a
regional partner institution.
(B) Plan.--A regional partner institution may not
receive any funding for any facility upgrade under
subparagraph (A), unless--
(i) the regional partner institution
submits to the Liaison a plan detailing the
type of facility construction or improvements
to take place (including any land acquisition,
engineering, design, and staffing and equipment
needs, in addition to other information as
required by the Liaison); and
(ii) the Liaison approves such plan.
(C) Non-federal cost share for facility
improvement.--A regional partner institution shall be
required to provide at least a 20-percent non-Federal
cost share for facility improvement or construction
projects pursued by a regional partner institution
under subparagraph (A).
(D) Matching funds for operating expenses.--A
regional partner institution shall be required to
provide at least a 30-percent non-Federal cost share
for all Program operating expenses related to such
regional partner institution.
(E) Wage rate requirements.--A construction
activity carried out pursuant to this subsection shall
meet Federal prevailing wage requirements as determined
by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter
IV of chapter 31 of part A of subtitle II of title 40,
United States Code (commonly referred to as the
``Davis-Bacon Act'').
(4) Food waste research program website.--The Liaison shall
establish a website that shall contain at least the following
information:
(A) Key findings and best practices.
(B) A list of collaborations and partnerships
carried out pursuant to this subsection.
(C) Annual reports and other pertinent information
on the duties of the Program.
(D) The location and contact information for
regional partner institutions.
(E) Federal, State, local, and regionally specific
public research, data, education, and policy
recommendations that shall be updated in a timely
manner with new information.
(F) Tools for tracking reduction efforts and
measuring food waste production.
(c) Selection of Regional Partner Institutions.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Liaison shall select 5 regional
partner institutions to partner with to carry out the
requirements of the Program under subsection (b).
(2) Criteria for regional partner institutions.--In making
a selection under paragraph (1), the Liaison shall select an
institution of higher education that--
(A) has a focus or expertise in at least one of the
areas of study described in subsection (b)(2);
(B) has the ability to plan, conduct, and arrange
for public research, data, education, and
recommendations related to food waste reduction and the
areas of study described in subsection (b)(2);
(C) can assist the Liaison in fulfilling the duties
listed in subsection (b)(1);
(D) can contribute the required non-Federal funding
to maintain a regional partner institution center; and
(E) satisfies any other criteria determined by the
Liaison.
(3) Eligible sub-awardees.--A State, Tribal, or local
government, local educational agency, agricultural or commodity
organization, farmer, or other organization focused on food
waste prevention may serve as an eligible sub-awardee of a
regional partner institution if the entity meets the
requirements of subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (2).
(4) Employment status.--Members of regional partner
institutions shall not be considered Federal employees for any
purpose.
(d) Collaboration With Federal, Regional, State, Tribal, and Local
Governments and Organizations.--The Liaison, in conjunction with the 5
regional partner institutions selected under subsection (c), shall
collaborate and share best practices on regional, State, Tribal, and
locally specific food waste and food waste reduction issues with--
(1) State and county governments;
(2) Tribal governments;
(3) units of local government;
(4) local educational entities;
(5) colleges and universities;
(6) agricultural and commodity organizations;
(7) farmers; and
(8) organizations focused on food waste prevention.
(e) Information Collection and Dissemination.--
(1) Report of regional partner institutions.--Not later
than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and
annually thereafter, the regional partnership institutions
shall submit to the Liaison a report containing the activities,
partnerships, collaborations, Federal policy recommendations,
previous and continuing budgets, findings, and any other
applicable information carried out under the Program.
(2) Liaison report.--Not later than 15 months after the
date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the
Liaison shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and publish on the
Program website an annual report containing a compilation of
the activities, partnerships, collaborations, Federal policy
recommendations, previous and continuing budgets, findings, and
any other applicable information relating to the Program.
(3) Review of report.--The Liaison shall review the annual
report from the regional partner institutions to ensure that
funds are being used efficiently according to the duties of the
Program and that the Program is producing utilizable public
research, data, education, and recommendations related to food
waste and food waste reduction issues.
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