Organic agriculture research and extension initiative
Competitive specialized research and extension grants authorized
In consultation with the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, the Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the “Secretary”) may make competitive grants to support research, education, and extension activities regarding organically grown and processed agricultural commodities for the purposes of—
facilitating the development and improvement of organic agriculture production, breeding, and processing methods;
evaluating the potential economic benefits of organic agricultural production and methods to producers, processors, and rural communities;
exploring international trade opportunities for organically grown and processed agricultural commodities;
determining desirable traits for organic commodities;
identifying marketing and policy constraints on the expansion of organic agriculture;
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;
examining optimal conservation and environmental outcomes relating to organically produced agricultural products; and
developing new and improved seed varieties that are particularly suited for organic agriculture.
Grant types and process, prohibition on construction
Partnerships encouraged
Funding
Funding
Mandatory funding
Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this section—
$18,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2012; and
$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.