Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2013 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend: (1) the conservation reserve and related programs, and (2) assistance to disadvantaged or beginning farmers or ranchers for access to the environmental quality incentives and the conservation stewardship programs.
Permits conservation reserve contract modification to facilitate transfers from retiring owners to limited resource farmers or ranchers.
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to: (1) reduce the number of operating years required for a beginning farmer or rancher to qualify for a direct real estate loan; (2) extend conservation loan and loan guarantee authority, and reserve specified amounts for beginning farmers and ranchers; (3) extend the beginning farmer and rancher individual development accounts pilot program; (4) authorize micro loans for beginning farmers or ranchers; and (5) make the direct operating loan set-aside for beginning farmers and ranchers permanent.
Amends the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 to extend the value-added agricultural product market development grant program.
Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend the beginning farmer and rancher development program. Provides assistance for agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training for veterans.
Amends the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act to extend the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. Provides priority assistance for new farming opportunities, including young, beginning, socially disadvantaged, and immigrant issues, as well as farm entry, transition, and transfer issues.
Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to provide for risk management programs targeted at beginning, socially disadvantaged, transitioning, or legal immigrant farmers and ranchers.
Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) the position of Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 837 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 837
To expand and improve opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 25, 2013
Mr. Harkin (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Brown, Mr. Tester, Mr. Casey,
Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Franken, and
Mr. Johnson of South Dakota) introduced the following bill; which was
read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To expand and improve opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers,
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 ``Beginning Farmer
and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2013''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--CONSERVATION
Subtitle A--Conservation Reserve Program
Sec. 101. Extension of conservation reserve program.
Sec. 102. Contracts.
Subtitle B--Farmland Protection Program
Sec. 111. Farmland protection program.
Subtitle C--Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Sec. 121. Establishment and administration of environmental quality
incentives program.
Sec. 122. Conservation innovation grants and payments.
Subtitle D--Funding and Administration
Sec. 131. Funding of conservation programs under Food Security Act of
1985.
Sec. 132. Assistance to certain farmers or ranchers for conservation
access.
Sec. 133. Comprehensive conservation planning.
TITLE II--CREDIT
Subtitle A--Farm Ownership Loans
Sec. 201. Direct farm ownership experience requirement.
Sec. 202. Conservation loan and loan guarantee program.
Sec. 203. Indexing of direct farm ownership loans.
Sec. 204. Joint financing arrangement.
Sec. 205. Loan terms for down payment loan program.
Sec. 206. Limited resource loan rate.
Sec. 207. Definition of qualified beginning farmer or rancher.
Subtitle B--Operating Loans
Sec. 211. Young beginning farmer or rancher microloans.
Subtitle C--Administrative Provisions
Sec. 221. Beginning farmer and rancher individual development accounts
pilot program.
Sec. 222. Transition to private commercial or other sources of credit.
Sec. 223. Direct loans for beginning farmers and ranchers.
TITLE III--RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Sec. 301. Value-added producer grants.
TITLE IV--RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION
Sec. 401. Beginning farmer and rancher development program.
Sec. 402. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.
TITLE V--CROP INSURANCE
Sec. 501. Risk management partnership programs.
TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 601. Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison.
Sec. 602. Budgetary effects.
Sec. 603. Effective date.
TITLE I--CONSERVATION
Subtitle A--Conservation Reserve Program
SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 1231(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3831(a)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting
``2018''.
(b) Land Eligible for Enrollment in Conservation Reserve.--Section
1231(b)(1)(B) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3831(b)(1)(B)) is amended by striking ``Food, Conservation, and Energy
Act of 2008'' and inserting ``Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity
Act of 2013''.
(c) Maximum Enrollment of Acreage in Conservation Reserve.--Section
1231(d) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(d)) is
amended--
(1) by striking the first sentence; and
(2) in the second sentence, by striking ``2010, 2011, and
2012'' and inserting ``2010 through 2018''.
(d) Pilot Program for Enrollment of Wetland and Buffer Acreage in
Conservation Reserve.--Section 1231B of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3831b) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(1)(C), by striking ``2002 through
2007'' and inserting ``2008 through 2012''.
SEC. 102. CONTRACTS.
Section 1235 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3835) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(1)(B), by striking clause (iii) and
inserting the following:
``(iii) to facilitate a transition of land
subject to the contract from a retired or
retiring owner or operator to a beginning
farmer or rancher, socially disadvantaged
farmer or rancher, or limited resource farmer
or rancher who is or will be actively engaged
in farming or ranching with respect to the land
transferred under this subsection for the
purpose of returning some or all of the land
into production using sustainable grazing or
crop production methods that meet or exceed the
resource management system quality criteria for
erosion, soil quality, water quality, and fish
and wildlife; or''; and
(2) in subsection (f)(1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ``or socially disadvantaged farmer or
rancher'' and inserting ``socially disadvantaged farmer
or rancher, or limited resource farmer or rancher who
is or will be actively engaged in farming or ranching
with respect to the land transferred under this
subsection''; and
(B) by striking subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) and
inserting the following:
``(C) require the covered farmer or rancher to
develop and implement a comprehensive conservation plan
that addresses all resource concerns and meets such
sustainability criteria as the Secretary may establish;
``(D) provide to the covered farmer or rancher an
opportunity to enroll in the conservation stewardship
program or the environmental quality incentives program
at any time beginning on the date that is 1 year before
the date of termination of the contract, including
technical and financial assistance in the development
of a comprehensive conservation plan;
``(E) if the land transferred under this subsection
remains in grass cover, provide to the covered farmer
or rancher an opportunity to enroll in a long-term or
permanent easement under the grassland reserve program
or farmland protection program at any time beginning on
the date that is 1 year before the date of termination
of the contact; and
``(F) continue to make annual payments to the
retired or retiring owner or operator for not more than
an additional 2 years after the date of termination of
the contract, except that, in the case of a retired or
retiring owner or operator who is a family member (as
defined in section 1001) of the covered farmer or
rancher, the additional payments shall be made only if
title to the land is sold or transferred to the covered
farmer or rancher on termination of the contract.''.
Subtitle B--Farmland Protection Program
SEC. 111. FARMLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM.
Section 1238I of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838i) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by inserting ``to promote farm
viability for future generations'' before the period at the
end; and
(2) in subsection (g)(4)--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
subparagraph (D); and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the
following:
``(C) provide a funding priority, to the maximum
extent practicable, for--
``(i) eligible land for which there exists
a farm or ranch succession plan or similar plan
established to create opportunities for
beginning farmers and ranchers and encourage
farm viability for future generations;
``(ii) easements that exercise an option to
purchase at a price that is equal to the
agricultural use value;
``(iii) qualified beginning farmers or
ranchers with contracts to purchase the land to
be protected;
``(iv) land owned by a nongovernmental
organization that will be sold to a qualified
beginning farmer or rancher;
``(v) contemporaneous farm transfers of
eligible land to qualified beginning farmers
and ranchers that may not occur without the
financial assistance of the program; and
``(vi) other similar mechanisms to maintain
the affordability of farm and ranch land for
successive generations of farmers and ranchers;
and''.
Subtitle C--Environmental Quality Incentives Program
SEC. 121. ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
INCENTIVES PROGRAM.
Section 1240B of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``2014'' and inserting
``2018'';
(2) in subsection (d)(4)(B), by striking ``30 percent'' and
inserting ``50 percent''; and
(3) in subsection (f), by striking ``2012'' and inserting
``2018''.
SEC. 122. CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS AND PAYMENTS.
Section 1240H of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-8)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) provide environmental and resource
conservation benefits through increased participation
by beginning farmers and ranchers and socially
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''.
Subtitle D--Funding and Administration
SEC. 131. FUNDING OF CONSERVATION PROGRAMS UNDER FOOD SECURITY ACT OF
1985.
Section 1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3841(a)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting
``and through fiscal year 2018 in the case of the program
described in paragraph (1)(B)'' after ``(7)''; and
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following:
``(B) $50,000,000 for the period of fiscal years
2014 through 2018 to carry out section 1235(f) to
facilitate the transfer of land subject to contracts
from retired or retiring owners and operators to
beginning farmers or ranchers, socially disadvantaged
farmers or ranchers, or limited resource farmers or
ranchers.''.
SEC. 132. ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN FARMERS OR RANCHERS FOR CONSERVATION
ACCESS.
Section 1241(g) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3841(g)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2012'' and inserting
``2018''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(but not earlier than
120 days after the date that funding for the fiscal year is
allocated to the States)'' after ``Secretary'';
(3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``(but not earlier than
120 days after the date that acres for the fiscal year are
allocated to the States)'' after ``Secretary''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Participation by beginning and socially disadvantaged
farmers and ranchers.--Nothing in this subsection prohibits
beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers from
participating in programs and receiving funding available under
this title that is not reserved under paragraph (1).
``(5) Technical assistance.--Within the funds reserved
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall allocate to the
Natural Resources Conservation Service funding for technical
assistance at a rate that is not more than 10 percent higher
than the rate that would otherwise apply to allow the Service
to provide additional technical assistance to beginning farmers
or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers to
establish conservation plans.''.
SEC. 133. COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION PLANNING.
Section 1244(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3844(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Comprehensive conservation planning.--In carrying out
this subsection, the Secretary shall provide technical and
financial assistance using resources available under the
environmental quality incentives program, conservation
stewardship program, or such other programs as the Secretary
may determine to covered persons who request the assistance to
develop a comprehensive conservation plan for the farming or
ranching operation of the covered person that addresses all
resource concerns and meets such sustainability criteria as the
Secretary may establish.''.
TITLE II--CREDIT
Subtitle A--Farm Ownership Loans
SEC. 201. DIRECT FARM OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT.
Section 302(b)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1922(b)(1)) is amended in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A) by inserting ``or has other acceptable experience for
a period of time, as determined by the Secretary,'' after ``3 years''.
SEC. 202. CONSERVATION LOAN AND LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.
Section 304 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1924) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(2)--
(A) by striking ``shall meet'' and inserting
``shall--
``(A) meet'';
(B) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), by
striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and'';
and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) be the owner or operator of not larger than a
family farm.'';
(2) in subsection (e)--
(A) by striking ``The portion'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
portion''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and
ranchers.--In the case of beginning farmers or ranchers and
socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, the portion of the
loan the Secretary may guarantee under this section shall be 95
percent of the principal amount of the loan.''; and
(3) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following:
``(h) Funding.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may make or guarantee
loans under this section for not more than $250,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2013 through 2018, of which, for each
fiscal year, not more than \1/2\ shall be used for direct loans
and not more than \1/2\ shall be used for guaranteed loans.
``(2) Qualified beginning farmers and ranchers.--
``(A) Direct loans.--Of the amount made available
for direct loans for a fiscal year under paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall reserve for qualified beginning
farmers and ranchers until April 1 of the fiscal year
not less than 50 percent of the amount.
``(B) Guaranteed loans.--Of the amount made
available for guaranteed loans for a fiscal year under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall reserve for
qualified beginning farmers and ranchers until April 1
of the fiscal year not less than 50 percent of the
amount.''.
SEC. 203. INDEXING OF DIRECT FARM OWNERSHIP LOANS.
Section 305(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1925(a)) is amended by inserting ``(increased, beginning with
fiscal year 2014, by the inflation percentage, as determined by the
Secretary, applicable to the fiscal year in which the loan is made)''
after ``$300,000''.
SEC. 204. JOINT FINANCING ARRANGEMENT.
Section 307(a)(3)(D) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1927(a)(3)(D)) is amended by striking ``4'' and inserting
``1.5''.
SEC. 205. LOAN TERMS FOR DOWN PAYMENT LOAN PROGRAM.
Section 310E(b)(1)(C) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1935(b)(1)(C)) is amended by striking
``$500,000'' and inserting ``$667,000''.
SEC. 206. LIMITED RESOURCE LOAN RATE.
Section 316(a)(2)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1946(a)(2)(B)) is amended by striking ``5'' and inserting
``1.5''.
SEC. 207. DEFINITION OF QUALIFIED BEGINNING FARMER OR RANCHER.
Section 343(a)(11)(F) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(11)(F)) is amended by striking
``median'' and inserting ``average''.
Subtitle B--Operating Loans
SEC. 211. YOUNG BEGINNING FARMER OR RANCHER MICROLOANS.
(a) In General.--Section 311 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1941) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(d) Microloans.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary
may establish a program to make or guarantee microloans.
``(2) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not make or
guarantee a microloan under this subsection that--
``(A) exceeds $35,000; or
``(B) would cause the total principal indebtedness
outstanding at any time for microloans under this
subsection to any one borrower to exceed $70,000.
``(3) Applications.--To the maximum extent practicable, the
Secretary shall limit the administrative burdens and streamline
the application and approval process for microloans under this
subsection.
``(4) Cooperative lending projects.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Secretary may enter into a contract with one or more
community-based and nongovernmental organizations,
State entities, or other intermediaries, as the
Secretary determines appropriate--
``(i) to make or guarantee a microloan
under this subsection; and
``(ii) to provide business, financial,
marketing, and credit management services to
borrowers.
``(B) Requirements.--Before entering into a
contract with an entity described in subparagraph (A),
the Secretary--
``(i) shall review and approve--
``(I) the loan loss reserve fund
for microloans established by the
entity; and
``(II) the underwriting standards
for microloans of the entity; and
``(ii) establish such other requirements
for contracting with the entity as the
Secretary determines to be necessary.
``(C) Revolving fund.--Under such conditions as the
Secretary may require, an entity described in
subparagraph (A) that enters into a contract with the
Secretary under this paragraph may elect to convert the
loan loss reserve fund for microloans established by
the entity into a revolving loan fund to carry out the
purposes of this paragraph.''.
(b) Exceptions for Direct Loans.--Section 311(c) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1941(c)) is
amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Exceptions.--In this subsection, the term `direct
operating loan' shall not include--
``(A) a loan made to a youth under subsection (b);
or
``(B) a microloan made to a young beginning farmer
or rancher or a military veteran farmer or rancher, as
defined by the Secretary.''.
(c) Purposes of Loans.--Section 312(a) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1942(a)) is amended in the matter
preceding paragraph (1) by inserting ``(including a microloan, as
defined by the Secretary)'' after ``A direct loan''.
(d) Determination of Interest Rates.--Section 316(a)(2) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1946(a)(2)) is
amended in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by inserting ``a
microloan to a beginning farmer or rancher or military veteran farmer
or rancher or'' after ``The interest rate on''.
Subtitle C--Administrative Provisions
SEC. 221. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS
PILOT PROGRAM.
Section 333B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1983b) is amended by striking subsection (h) and inserting the
following:
``(h) Funding.--On October 1, 2013, and on each October 1
thereafter through October 1, 2017, of the funds of the Commodity
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section
$5,000,000, to remain available until expended.''.
SEC. 222. TRANSITION TO PRIVATE COMMERCIAL OR OTHER SOURCES OF CREDIT.
(a) Conditions for Direct Loans.--Section 311(c) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1941(c)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking the semicolon
at the end and inserting ``; and'';
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; or'' at
the end and inserting a period; and
(C) by striking subparagraph (C); and
(2) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) and inserting the
following:
``(3) Term limits.--Subject to paragraph (4), if a farmer
or rancher has received a direct operating loan pursuant to
this section in each of 9 consecutive years, the farmer or
rancher may not receive a direct operating loan from the
Secretary under this section for the next year.
``(4) Waivers for farm and ranch operations on tribal
land.--The Secretary shall waive the limitation under paragraph
(3) for a direct loan made under this subtitle to a farmer or
rancher whose farm or ranch land is subject to the jurisdiction
of an Indian tribe and whose loan is secured by one or more
security instruments that are subject to the jurisdiction of an
Indian tribe if the Secretary determines that commercial credit
is not generally available for the farm or ranch operations.''.
(b) Limitation on Period Borrowers Are Eligible for Guaranteed
Assistance.--Section 319 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1949) is amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting
the following:
``(b) Limitation on Period Borrowers Are Eligible for Guaranteed
Assistance.--If a borrower has received a guaranteed loan under this
subtitle in each of 15 consecutive years, the borrower may not receive
a loan guaranteed by the Secretary for the next year.''.
SEC. 223. DIRECT LOANS FOR BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS.
Section 346(b)(2)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1994(b)(2)(A)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i), by adding at the end the following:
``(III) Priority.--In order to
maximize the number of borrowers served
under this clause, the Secretary--
``(aa) shall give priority
to borrowers who apply under
the down payment loan program
under section 310E or joint
financing arrangements under
section 307(a)(3)(D); and
``(bb) may offer other
financing options only if the
Secretary determines that down
payment or other participation
loan options are not a viable
approach for a particular
borrower.''; and
(2) in clause (ii)(III), by striking ``each of fiscal years
2008 through 2012'' and inserting ``fiscal year 2008 and each
fiscal year thereafter''.
TITLE III--RURAL DEVELOPMENT
SEC. 301. VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANTS.
Section 231(b) of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7
U.S.C. 1632a(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the following:
``(6) Priority.--In awarding grants under this subsection,
the Secretary shall--
``(A) in the case of grants awarded under paragraph
(1)(A), give priority to--
``(i) operators of small- and medium-sized
farms and ranches that are structured as family
farms; or
``(ii) beginning farmers or ranchers or
socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers; and
``(B) in the case of grants awarded under paragraph
(1)(B), give priority to projects that, as determined
through peer review, best contribute--
``(i) to increasing opportunities for
operators of small- and medium-sized farms and
ranches that are structured as family farms; or
``(ii) to creating opportunities for
beginning farmers and ranchers or socially
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.''; and
(2) be redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8);
(3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) Outreach and technical assistance.--The Secretary
shall develop and implement an outreach and technical
assistance strategy to assist recipients of a grant under this
subsection reach and serve underserved States and communities
(as determined by the Secretary).''; and
(4) in paragraph (8) (as redesignated by paragraph (3))--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``October 1, 2008'' and
inserting ``October 1, 2012, and each October 1
thereafter through October 1, 2017''; and
(ii) by striking ``$15,000,000'' and
inserting ``$30,000,000'';
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''; and
(C) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the
following:
``(C) Priority funding.--
``(i) In general.--In accordance with
clause (ii), the Secretary shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, reserve not less
than \2/3\ of the amounts made available for
each fiscal year under this paragraph to award
grants with respect to which priority is given
under paragraph (6).
``(ii) Reservation of funds.--
``(I) In general.--Of the amounts
reserved under clause (i) for each
fiscal year, the Secretary shall
reserve a total of 10 percent to award
grants to recipients described in
subparagraphs (A)(ii) and (B)(ii) of
paragraph (6).
``(II) Mid-tier value chains.--Of
the total amount of funds made
available for each fiscal year under
this paragraph, the Secretary shall
reserve 10 percent to fund applications
of eligible recipients described in
paragraph (1) that propose to develop
mid-tier value chains.
``(III) Unobligated amounts.--Any
amounts reserved for a fiscal year
under subclause (I) or (II) that are
not obligated by the date on which the
Secretary completes the review process
for applications submitted under this
section in that fiscal year shall be
available to the Secretary to make
grants under this subsection to
eligible recipients in any State, as
determined by the Secretary.''.
TITLE IV--RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION
SEC. 401. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
Section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(7 U.S.C. 3319f) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (A)
through (R) and inserting the following;
``(A) basic livestock, forest management, and crop
farming practices;
``(B) innovative farm, ranch, and private
nonindustrial forest land transfer strategies;
``(C) entrepreneurship and business training;
``(D) financial and risk management training
(including the acquisition and management of
agricultural credit);
``(E) natural resource management and conservation
planning;
``(F) diversification and marketing strategies;
``(G) curriculum development;
``(H) mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships;
``(I) assisting beginning farmers or ranchers in
acquiring land from retiring farmers and ranchers;
``(J) food safety training;
``(K) agricultural rehabilitation and vocational
training for veterans; and
``(L) other similar subject areas of use to
beginning farmers or ranchers.'';
(B) in paragraph (4)--
(i) by striking ``To be eligible'' and
inserting the following:
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), to be eligible''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Exceptions.--The Secretary may waive or
modify the matching requirement in subparagraph (A) if
the Secretary determines a waiver or modification is
necessary to effectively reach an underserved area or
population.'';
(C) in paragraph (8)--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``and'' after the semicolon at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) military veteran beginning farmers and
ranchers.''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(11) Indirect costs.--To help facilitate participation in
the program under this subsection by nongovernmental and
community-based nonprofit organizations, the Secretary shall
provide for an optional 10 percent indirect cost option in lieu
of a higher negotiated rate.''; and
(2) in subsection (h)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``for fiscal years 2009 through 2012''; and
(ii) by striking ``section--'' and all that
follows through the period at the end and
inserting ``section $20,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2014 through 2018.'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``for fiscal years 2009 through 2012''; and
(ii) by striking ``2008 through 2012'' and
inserting ``2013 through 2018''; and
(C) by striking paragraph (3).
SEC. 402. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE.
Subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research
Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``food and agricultural
sciences'' and all that follows through the period at the end
and inserting the following: ``food and agricultural sciences
(as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
3103))--
``(A) in the case of grant made under paragraph
(6), to an entity described in subparagraphs (A), (B),
(C), or (D) of that paragraph; and
``(B) in the case of any other grant made under
this subsection, to any eligible entity described in
paragraph (7), including a grant made for--
``(i) fundamental research (as defined in
section 251(f)(1) of the Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7
U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)));
``(ii) applied research (as defined in that
section);
``(iii) integrated research conducted
pursuant to section 406 of the Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act
of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626); or
``(iv) integrated research described in
clause (iii) that is applied or fundamental
research.'';
(2) in paragraph (2)(F)--
(A) by redesignating clauses (iii) through (vi) as
clauses (iv) through (vii), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after clause (ii) the following:
``(iii) new farming opportunities,
including young, beginning, socially
disadvantaged, and immigrant issues and farm
transition, farm transfer, farm entry, and
beginning farmer profitability issues;'';
(3) in paragraph (7), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by inserting ``projects (including integrated projects)''
after ``education''; and
(4) in paragraph (11)(A), in the matter preceding clause
(i), by striking ``2008 through 2012'' and inserting ``2013
through 2018''.
TITLE V--CROP INSURANCE
SEC. 501. RISK MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS.
Section 522(d) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(d))
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``priority given to risk'' and
inserting ``priority given to--
``(A) risk'';
(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting
``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) underserved producers, including beginning
farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers
and ranchers.'';
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``options for producers'' and
inserting ``options for--
``(A) producers'';
(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting
``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) underserved producers, including beginning
farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers
and ranchers.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Requirements.--In carrying out the programs
established under paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary shall
place special emphasis on risk management techniques, tools,
and programs that are specifically targeted at--
``(A) beginning farmers or ranchers;
``(B) legal immigrant farmers or ranchers that are
attempting to become established agricultural producers
in the United States;
``(C) socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers;
``(D) farmers or ranchers that--
``(i) are preparing to retire; and
``(ii) are using transition strategies to
help new farmers or ranchers get started; and
``(E) new or established farmers or ranchers that
are converting production and marketing systems to
pursue new markets.''.
TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 601. MILITARY VETERANS AGRICULTURAL LIAISON.
(a) In General.--Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 is amended by inserting after section 218 (7
U.S.C. 6918) the following:
``SEC. 219. MILITARY VETERANS AGRICULTURAL LIAISON.
``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary shall establish in the
Department the position of Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison.
``(b) Duties.--The Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall--
``(1) provide information to returning veterans about, and
connect returning veterans with, beginning farmer training and
agricultural vocational and rehabilitation programs appropriate
to the needs and interests of returning veterans, including
assisting veterans in using Federal veterans educational
benefits for purposes relating to beginning a farming or
ranching career;
``(2) provide information to veterans concerning the
availability of and eligibility requirements for participation
in agricultural programs, with particular emphasis on beginning
farmer and rancher programs;
``(3) serving as a resource for assisting veteran farmers
and ranchers, and potential farmers and ranchers, in applying
for participation in agricultural programs; and
``(4) advocating on behalf of veterans in interactions with
employees of the Department.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 296(b) of the Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (6), by striking ``or'' after the
semicolon at the end;
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) the authority of the Secretary to establish in the
Department the position of Military Veterans Agricultural
Liaison in accordance with section 219.''.
SEC. 602. BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying
with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by
reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO
Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional
Record by the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, provided that
such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
SEC. 603. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act and the amendments made by this Act take effect on October
1, 2013.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3038-3039)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
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