(a) The purpose of this program is to make competitive grants, in consultation with the Advisory Board, to support research, education and extension activities regarding organically grown and processed agricultural commodities.

(b) Grants may be made for the following purposes:

(1) Facilitating the development and improvement of organic agriculture production, breeding, and processing methods;

(2) Evaluating the potential economic benefits of organic agricultural production and methods to producers, processors, and rural communities;

(3) Exploring international trade opportunities for organically grown and processed agricultural commodities;

(4) Determining desirable traits for organic commodities;

(5) Identifying marketing and policy constraints on the expansion of organic agriculture;

(6) Conducting advanced on-farm research and development that emphasizes observation of, experimentation with, and innovation for working organic farms, including research relating to production, marketing, food safety, socioeconomic conditions, and farm business management;

(7) Examining optimal conservation and environmental outcomes relating to organically produced agricultural products; and

(8) Developing new and improved seed varieties that are particularly suited for organic agriculture.