§ 5925b.
(a)
Competitive specialized research and extension grants authorized
In consultation with the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, using funds made available under subsection (e), the Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the “Secretary”) may make competitive grants in each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to support research, education, and extension activities regarding organically grown and processed agricultural commodities for the purposes of—
(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, soil health, and environmental outcomes relating to organically produced agricultural products; and
(8)
developing new and improved seed varieties that are particularly suited for organic agriculture.
([Pub. L. 101–624, title XVI, § 1672B], as added [Pub. L. 105–185, title II, § 244], June 23, 1998, [112 Stat. 555]; amended [Pub. L. 107–171, title VII, § 7218], May 13, 2002, [116 Stat. 449]; [Pub. L. 110–234, title VII], §§ 7206(a), 7406(d)(3), May 22, 2008, [122 Stat. 1238], 1252; [Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a)], title VII, §§ 7206(a), 7406(d)(3), June 18, 2008, [122 Stat. 1664], 1999, 2013; [Pub. L. 112–240, title VII, § 701(e)(1)], Jan. 2, 2013, [126 Stat. 2364]; [Pub. L. 113–79, title VII], §§ 7128(b)(2)(D), 7211, Feb. 7, 2014, [128 Stat. 879], 885; [Pub. L. 115–334, title VII], §§ 7210, 7614(b)(2)(D), Dec. 20, 2018, [132 Stat. 4811], 4835.)