SUBCHAPTER II—FARM PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION
Editorial Notes
Codification
§6931. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation
(a) Authorization
The Secretary is authorized to establish in the Department the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation.
(b) Confirmation required
If the Secretary establishes the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation authorized under subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(c) Functions of Undersecretary 1
The Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation shall perform such functions and duties as the Secretary shall prescribe.
(d) Succession
Any official who is serving as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services on March 23, 2018, and who was appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall not be required to be reappointed under subsection (b) to the successor position authorized under subsection (a).
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section is comprised of section 225 of
Another section 225 of
Amendments
2018—
1 So in original. Probably should be "Under Secretary".
§6932. Farm Service Agency
(a) Establishment
The Secretary is authorized to establish and maintain in the Department a Farm Service Agency.
(b) Functions
If the Secretary establishes the Farm Service Agency under subsection (a), the Secretary is authorized to assign to the Agency jurisdiction over the following functions:
(1) Agricultural price and income support programs, production adjustment programs, and related programs.
(2) Repealed.
(3) Agricultural credit programs assigned before October 13, 1994, by law to the Farmers Home Administration (including farm ownership and operating, emergency, and disaster loan programs) and other lending programs for agricultural producers and others engaged in the production of agricultural commodities.
(4) Subchapter B of
(5) Such other functions as the Secretary considers appropriate, except for those programs assigned by the Secretary to the Natural Resources Conservation Service or another agency of the Department under
(c) Special concurrence requirements for certain functions
In carrying out the programs specified in subsection (b)(4), the Secretary shall—
(1) acting on the recommendations of the Farm Service Agency, with the concurrence of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, issue regulations to carry out such programs;
(2) ensure that the Farm Service Agency, in establishing policies, priorities, and guidelines for such programs, does so with the concurrence of the Natural Resources Conservation Service at national, State, and local levels;
(3) ensure that, in reaching such concurrence at the local level, the Natural Resources Conservation Service works in cooperation with Soil and Water Conservation Districts or similar organizations established under State law;
(4) ensure that officials of county and area committees established under
(5) take steps to ensure that the concurrence process does not interfere with the effective delivery of such programs.
(d) Jurisdiction over conservation program appeals
(1) In general
Until such time as an adverse decision described in this paragraph is referred to the National Appeals Division for consideration, the Farm Service Agency shall have initial jurisdiction over any administrative appeal resulting from an adverse decision made under title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (
(2) Treatment of technical determination
(A) In general
With respect to administrative appeals involving a technical determination made by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Farm Service Agency, by rule with the concurrence of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, shall establish procedures for obtaining review by the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the technical determinations involved. Such rules shall ensure that technical criteria established by the Natural Resources Conservation Service shall be used by the Farm Service Agency as the basis for any decisions regarding technical determinations. If no review is requested, the technical determination of the Natural Resources Conservation Service shall be the technical basis for any decision rendered by a county or area committee established under
(B) Economic hardship
After a technical determination has been made, on a producer's request, if a county or area committee determines that the application of the producer's conservation system would impose an undue economic hardship on the producer, the committee shall provide the producer with relief to avoid the hardship.
(3) Reinstatement of program benefits
Rules issued to carry out this subsection shall provide for the prompt reinstatement of benefits to a producer who is determined in an administrative appeal to meet the requirements of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 [
(e) Use of Federal and non-Federal employees
(1) Use authorized
In the implementation of programs and activities assigned to the Farm Service Agency, the Secretary may use interchangeably in local offices of the Agency both Federal employees of the Department and non-Federal employees of county and area committees established under
(2) Exception
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), no personnel action (as defined in
(f) Collocation
To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall collocate county offices of the Farm Service Agency with county offices of the Natural Resources Conservation Service in order to—
(1) maximize savings from shared equipment, office space, and administrative support;
(2) simplify paperwork and regulatory requirements;
(3) provide improved services to agricultural producers and landowners affected by programs administered by the Agency and the Service; and
(4) achieve computer compatibility between the Agency and the Service to maximize efficiency and savings.
(g) Savings provision
For purposes of subsections (c) through (f) of this section:
(1) A reference to the "Farm Service Agency" includes any other office, agency, or administrative unit of the Department assigned the functions authorized for the Farm Service Agency under this section.
(2) A reference to the "Natural Resources Conservation Service" includes any other office, agency, or administrative unit of the Department assigned the functions authorized for the Natural Resources Conservation Service under
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Food Security Act of 1985, referred to in subsecs. (b)(4) and (d)(1), (3), is
Codification
Section is comprised of section 226 of
Amendments
2018—
Subsec. (b).
Subsecs. (b)(5), (g)(2).
1996—Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (d)(2).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Farm Service Agency Accountability
"(a)
"(b)
§6932a. Prohibition on closure or relocation of county offices for the Farm Service Agency
(a) Temporary prohibition
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), until the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture may not close or relocate a county or field office of the Farm Service Agency.
(2) Exception
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to—
(A) an office that is located not more than 20 miles from another office of the Farm Service Agency; or
(B) the relocation of an office within the same county in the course of routine leasing operations.
(b) Limitation on closure; notice
(1) Limitation
After the period referred to in subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall, before closing any office of the Farm Service Agency that is located more than 20 miles from another office of the Farm Service Agency, to the maximum extent practicable, first close any offices of the Farm Service Agency that—
(A) are located less than 20 miles from another office of the Farm Service Agency; and
(B) have two or fewer permanent full-time employees.
(2) Notice
After the period referred to in subsection (a)(1), the Secretary of Agriculture may not close a county or field office of the Farm Service Agency unless—
(A) not later than 30 days after the Secretary proposes to close such office, the Secretary holds a public meeting regarding the proposed closure in the county in which such office is located; and
(B) after the public meeting referred to in subparagraph (A), but not less than 90 days before the date on which the Secretary approves the closure of such office, the Secretary notifies the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, each Senator representing the State in which the office proposed to be closed is located, and the member of the House of Representatives who represents the Congressional district in which the office proposed to be closed is located of the proposed closure of such office.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The date of the enactment of this Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is the date of enactment of
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, and not as part of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, which in part comprises this chapter.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Enactment of this section and repeal of
§6933. Office of Risk Management
(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish and maintain in the Department an independent Office of Risk Management.
(b) Functions of Office of Risk Management
The Office of Risk Management shall have jurisdiction over the following functions:
(1) Supervision of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
(2) Administration and oversight of all aspects, including delivery through local offices of the Department, of all programs authorized under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (
(3) Any pilot or other programs involving revenue insurance, risk management savings accounts, or the use of the futures market to manage risk and support farm income that may be established under the Federal Crop Insurance Act or other law.
(4) Such other functions as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(c) Administrator
(1) Appointment
The Office of Risk Management shall be headed by an Administrator who shall be appointed by the Secretary.
(2) Manager
The Administrator of the Office of Risk Management shall also serve as Manager of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
(d) Resources
(1) Functional coordination
Certain functions of the Office of Risk Management, such as human resources, public affairs, and legislative affairs, may be provided by a consolidation of such functions under the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation.
(2) Minimum provisions
Notwithstanding paragraph (1) or any other provision of law or order of the Secretary, the Secretary shall provide the Office of Risk Management with human and capital resources sufficient for the Office to carry out its functions in a timely and efficient manner.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Federal Crop Insurance Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), (3), is subtitle A of title V of act Feb. 16, 1938, ch. 30,
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (d)(1).
§6934. Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Beginning farmer or rancher
The term "beginning farmer or rancher" has the meaning given the term in
(2) Office
The term "Office" means the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement established under this section.
(3) Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher
The term "socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher" has the meaning given the term in section 2279(e) 1 of this title.
(b) Establishment and purpose
(1) In general
The Secretary shall establish within the executive operations of the Department an office to be known as the "Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement"—
(A) to improve access to programs of the Department;
(B) to improve the viability and profitability of—
(i) small farms and ranches;
(ii) beginning farmers or ranchers;
(iii) socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers;
(iv) limited resource producers; and
(v) veteran farmers and ranchers; and
(C) to promote youth outreach.
(2) Director
The Office shall be headed by a Director, to be appointed by the Secretary from among the competitive service.
(c) Duties
The duties of the Office shall be to ensure small farms and ranches, beginning farmers or ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers access to, and equitable participation in, programs and services of the Department by—
(1) establishing and monitoring the goals and objectives of the Department to increase participation in programs of the Department by small, beginning, socially disadvantaged, or veteran farmers or ranchers;
(2) assessing the effectiveness of Department outreach programs;
(3) developing and implementing a plan to coordinate outreach activities and services provided by the Department;
(4) providing input to the agencies and offices on programmatic and policy decisions;
(5) measuring outcomes of the programs and activities of the Department on small farms and ranches, beginning farmers or ranchers, veteran farmers or ranchers, and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers programs;
(6) recommending new initiatives and programs to the Secretary; and
(7) carrying out any other related duties that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(d) Socially disadvantaged farmers group
(1) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish within the Office the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Group.
(2) Outreach and assistance
The Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Group—
(A) shall carry out
(B) in the case of activities described in section 2279(a) 1 of this title, may conduct such activities through other agencies and offices of the Department.
(3) Socially disadvantaged farmers and farmworkers
The Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Group shall oversee the operations of—
(A) the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers established under section 14009 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008; 1 and
(B) the position of Farmworker Coordinator established under subsection (f).
(4) Other duties
(A) In general
The Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Group may carry out other duties to improve access to, and participation in, programs of the Department by socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, as determined by the Secretary.
(B) Office of Outreach and Diversity
The Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement shall carry out the functions and duties of the Office of Outreach and Diversity carried out by the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights as such functions and duties existed immediately before the date of the enactment of this section.
(e) Small Farms and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Group
(1) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish within the Office the Small Farms and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Group.
(2) Duties
(A) Oversee offices
The Small Farms and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Group shall oversee the operations of the Office of Small Farms Coordination established by Departmental Regulation 9700–1 (August 3, 2006).
(B) Beginning farmer and rancher development program
The Small Farms and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Group shall consult with the National Institute for Food and Agriculture on the administration of the beginning farmer and rancher development grant program established under subsection (d) of
(C) Advisory Committee for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
The Small Farms and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Group shall coordinate the activities of the Group with the Advisory Committee for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers established under section 5(b) of the Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (
(D) Other duties
The Small Farms and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Group may carry out other duties to improve access to, and participation in, programs of the Department by small farms and ranches and beginning farmers or ranchers, as determined by the Secretary.
(f) Farmworker Coordinator
(1) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish within the Office the position of Farmworker Coordinator (referred to in this subsection as the "Coordinator").
(2) Duties
The Secretary shall delegate to the Coordinator responsibility for the following:
(A) Assisting in administering the program established by
(B) Serving as a liaison to community-based nonprofit organizations that represent and have demonstrated experience serving low-income migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
(C) Coordinating with the Department, other Federal agencies, and State and local governments to ensure that farmworker needs are assessed and met during declared disasters and other emergencies.
(D) Consulting within the Office and with other entities to better integrate farmworker perspectives, concerns, and interests into the ongoing programs of the Department.
(E) Consulting with appropriate institutions on research, program improvements, or agricultural education opportunities that assist low-income and migrant seasonal farmworkers.
(F) Assisting farmworkers in becoming agricultural producers or landowners.
(3) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection—
(A) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013; and
(B) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Subsecs. (a) and (e) of
Section 14009 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (d)(3)(A), probably means section 14008 of
The date of the enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (d)(4)(B), is the date of enactment of
Section 5(b) of the Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992, referred to in subsec. (e)(2)(C), is section 5(b) of
Codification
Amendments
2018—
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iv), (v), (C).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(5).
Subsec. (d)(4)(B).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B).
Subsec. (f)(3)(B).
2014—Subsec. (f)(3).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Effective Date
Enactment of this section and repeal of
1 See References in Text note below.
§6934a. Beginning farmer and rancher coordination
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Beginning farmer or rancher
The term "beginning farmer or rancher" has the meaning given such term in
(2) National Coordinator
The term "National Coordinator" means the National Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator established under subsection (b)(1).
(3) State coordinator
The term "State coordinator" means a State beginning farmer and rancher coordinator designated under subsection (c)(1)(A).
(4) State office
The term "State office" means—
(A) a State office of—
(i) the Farm Service Agency;
(ii) the Natural Resources Conservation Service;
(iii) the Rural Business-Cooperative Service; or
(iv) the Rural Utilities Service; or
(B) a regional office of the Risk Management Agency.
(b) National Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator
(1) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish in the Department the position of National Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator.
(2) Duties
(A) In general
The National Coordinator shall—
(i) advise the Secretary and coordinate activities of the Department on programs, policies, and issues relating to beginning farmers and ranchers; and
(ii) in consultation with the applicable State food and agriculture council, determine whether to approve a plan submitted by a State coordinator under subsection (c)(3)(B).
(B) Discretionary duties
Additional duties of the National Coordinator may include—
(i) developing and implementing new strategies—
(I) for outreach to beginning farmers and ranchers; and
(II) to assist beginning farmers and ranchers with connecting to owners or operators that have ended, or expect to end within 5 years, actively owning or operating a farm or ranch; and
(ii) facilitating interagency and interdepartmental collaboration on issues relating to beginning farmers and ranchers.
(3) Reports
Not less frequently than once each year, the National Coordinator shall distribute within the Department and make publicly available a report describing the status of steps taken to carry out the duties described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2).
(4) Contracts and cooperative agreements
In carrying out the duties under paragraph (2), the National Coordinator may enter into a contract or cooperative agreement with an institution of higher education (as defined in
(A) to conduct research on the profitability of new farms in operation for not less than 5 years in a region;
(B) to develop educational materials;
(C) to conduct workshops, courses, training, or certified vocational training; or
(D) to conduct mentoring activities.
(c) State beginning farmer and rancher coordinators
(1) In general
(A) Designation
The National Coordinator, in consultation with State food and agriculture councils and directors of State offices, shall designate in each State a State beginning farmer and rancher coordinator from among employees of State offices.
(B) Requirements
To be designated as a State coordinator, an employee shall—
(i) be familiar with issues relating to beginning farmers and ranchers; and
(ii) have the ability to coordinate with other Federal departments and agencies.
(2) Training
The Secretary shall develop a training plan to provide to each State coordinator knowledge of programs and services available from the Department for beginning farmers and ranchers, taking into consideration the needs of all production types and sizes of agricultural operations.
(3) Duties
A State coordinator shall—
(A) coordinate technical assistance at the State level to assist beginning farmers and ranchers in accessing programs of the Department;
(B) develop and submit to the National Coordinator for approval under subsection (b)(2)(A)(ii) a State plan to improve the coordination, delivery, and efficacy of programs of the Department to beginning farmers and ranchers, taking into consideration the needs of all types of production methods and sizes of agricultural operation, at each county and area office in the State;
(C) oversee implementation of an approved State plan described in subparagraph (B);
(D) work with outreach coordinators in the State offices to ensure appropriate information about technical assistance is available at outreach events and activities; and
(E) coordinate partnerships and joint outreach efforts with other organizations and government agencies serving beginning farmers and ranchers.
(
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 7404 of
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, and not as part of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, which in part comprises this chapter.
§6934b. Agricultural Youth Organization Coordinator
(a) Authorization
The Secretary shall establish in the Department the position of Agricultural Youth Organization Coordinator.
(b) Duties
The Agricultural Youth Organization Coordinator shall—
(1) promote the role of youth-serving organizations and school-based agricultural education in motivating and preparing young people to pursue careers in the agriculture, food, and natural resources systems;
(2) work to help build youth awareness of the reach and importance of agriculture, across a diversity of fields and disciplines;
(3) identify short-term and long-term interests of the Department and provide opportunities, resources, input, and coordination with programs and agencies of the Department to youth-serving organizations and school-based agricultural education, including the development of internship opportunities;
(4) share, internally and externally, the extent to which active steps are being taken to encourage collaboration with, and support of, youth-serving organizations and school-based agricultural education;
(5) provide information to youth involved in food and agriculture organizations concerning the availability of, and eligibility requirements for, participation in agricultural programs, with particular emphasis on beginning farmer and rancher programs;
(6) serve as a resource for assisting youth involved in food and agriculture organizations in applying for participation in agriculture; and
(7) advocate on behalf of youth involved in food and agriculture organizations in interactions with employees of the Department.
(c) Contracts and cooperative agreements
For purposes of carrying out the duties under subsection (b), the Agricultural Youth Organization Coordinator shall consult with the cooperative extension and the land-grant university systems, and may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with the research centers of the Agricultural Research Service, cooperative extension and the land-grant university systems, non-land-grant colleges of agriculture, or nonprofit organizations for—
(1) the conduct of regional research on the profitability of small farms;
(2) the development of educational materials;
(3) the conduct of workshops, courses, and certified vocational training;
(4) the conduct of mentoring activities; or
(5) the provision of internship opportunities.
(
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 7405 of
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, and not as part of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, which in part comprises this chapter.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Definitions
"Department" means the Department of Agriculture and "Secretary" means the Secretary of Agriculture, see section 7401 of
§6935. Repealed. Pub. L. 115–334, title XII, §12414(b), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4981
Section,
§6936. Natural Resources Conservation Service
(a) Establishment
The Secretary is authorized to establish and maintain within the Department a Natural Resources Conservation Service.
(b) Functions
If the Secretary establishes the Natural Resources Conservation Service under subsection (a), the Secretary is authorized to assign to the Service jurisdiction over the following:
(1) The Water Bank Act (
(2) Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (
(3) Salinity control measures under
(4) The Farms for the Future Act of 1990 (
(5) Such other functions as the Secretary considers appropriate, except functions under subchapter B of
(c) Special concurrence requirements for certain functions
In carrying out the programs specified in paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection (b), the Secretary shall—
(1) acting on the recommendations of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, with the concurrence of the Farm Service Agency, issue regulations to carry out such programs;
(2) ensure that the Natural Resources Conservation Service, in establishing policies, priorities, and guidelines for each such program, does so with the concurrence of the Farm Service Agency at national, State, and local levels;
(3) ensure that, in reaching such concurrence at the local level, the Natural Resources Conservation Service works in cooperation with Soil and Water Conservation Districts or similar organizations established under State law;
(4) ensure that officials of county and area committees established under
(5) take steps to ensure that the concurrence process does not interfere with the effective delivery of such programs.
(d) Use of Federal and non-Federal employees
(1) Use authorized
In the implementation of functions assigned to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Secretary may use interchangeably in local offices of the Service both Federal employees of the Department and non-Federal employees of county and area committees established under
(2) Exception
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), no personnel action (as defined in
(e) Savings provision
For purposes of subsections (c) and (d) of this section:
(1) A reference to the "Natural Resources Conservation Service" includes any other office, agency, or administrative unit of the Department assigned the functions authorized for the Natural Resources Conservation Service under this section.
(2) A reference to the "Farm Service Agency" includes any other office, agency, or administrative unit of the Department assigned the functions authorized for the Farm Service Agency under
(f) Omitted
(g) Field offices
(1) In general
The Secretary shall not close any field office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service unless, not later than 30 days before the date of the closure, the Secretary submits to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a notification of the closure.
(2) Employees
The Secretary shall not permanently relocate any field-based employees of the Natural Resources Conservation Service or the rural development mission area if doing so would result in a field office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service or the rural development mission area with 2 or fewer employees, unless, not later than 30 days before the date of the permanent relocation, the Secretary submits to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a notification of the permanent relocation.
(3) Sunset
The requirements under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall cease to be effective on September 30, 2023.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Water Bank Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is
The Food Security Act of 1985, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), (5), is
The Farms for the Future Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (b)(4), is
Codification
Section was formerly part of subtitle E of title II of
Section is comprised of section 228 of
The authorities provided by each provision of, and each amendment made by,
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (b)(2), (3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5), (6).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (c)(1), (2).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (g).
2002—Subsec. (b)(2).
1996—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5).
Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsec. (b)(7), (8).
Subsec. (c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Conservation Technical Assistance
"(a)
"(1) $1,000,000,000 to provide conservation technical assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service; and
"(2) $300,000,000 to carry out a program to quantify carbon sequestration and carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions, through which the Natural Resources Conservation Service shall collect field-based data to assess the carbon sequestration and reduction in carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions outcomes associated with activities carried out pursuant to this section and use the data to monitor and track those carbon sequestration and emissions trends through the Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Assessment Program of the Department of Agriculture.
"(b)
"(1) enter into any agreement—
"(A) that is for a term extending beyond September 30, 2031; or
"(B) under which any payment could be outlaid or funds disbursed after September 30, 2031;
"(2) use any other funds available to the Secretary to satisfy obligations initially made under this section; or
"(3) interpret this section to authorize funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation for activities under this section if such funds are not expressly authorized or currently expended for such purposes.
"(c)