119-s1507

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1507 Introduced in Senate

    (IS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 S. 1507

 To address the impact of climate change on agriculture, and for other 
 purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 April 29, 2025

 Mr. Heinrich (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Sanders, Mr. 
 Blumenthal, Mr. Welch, Mr. Schiff, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. Smith, Mr. 
 Fetterman, Mr. Booker, and Mr. Markey) introduced the following bill; 
 which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, 
 Nutrition, and Forestry

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To address the impact of climate change on agriculture, 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 ``Agriculture 
Resilience Act of 2025''.

    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Definition of Secretary.
 TITLE I--NATIONAL GOALS

Sec. 101. National goals.

Sec. 102. Action plan.
 TITLE II--RESEARCH

Sec. 201. Research, extension, and education purpose.

Sec. 202. Regional hubs for risk mitigation and adaptation to climate 
 change.

Sec. 203. Sustainable agriculture research and education resilience 
 initiative.

Sec. 204. Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network.

Sec. 205. Public breed and cultivar research.

Sec. 206. ARS climate scientist career development program.

Sec. 207. Agricultural climate adaptation and mitigation through AFRI.

Sec. 208. Specialty crop research initiative.

Sec. 209. Integrated pest management.

Sec. 210. Appropriate technology transfer for rural areas program.
 TITLE III--SOIL HEALTH

Sec. 301. Crop insurance.

Sec. 302. Environmental quality incentives program.

Sec. 303. Conservation stewardship program.

Sec. 304. State assistance for soil health.

Sec. 305. Funding and administration.

Sec. 306. Conservation compliance.

Sec. 307. National and regional agroforestry centers.
 TITLE IV--FARMLAND PRESERVATION AND FARM VIABILITY

Sec. 401. Local agriculture market program.

Sec. 402. National organic certification cost-share program.

Sec. 403. Farmland Protection Policy Act.

Sec. 404. Agricultural conservation easement program.
 TITLE V--PASTURE-BASED LIVESTOCK

Sec. 501. Animal raising claims.

Sec. 502. Processing resilience grant program.

Sec. 503. Conservation of private grazing land.

Sec. 504. Conservation reserve program.

Sec. 505. Alternative manure management program.
 TITLE VI--ON-FARM RENEWABLE ENERGY

Sec. 601. Rural Energy for America Program.

Sec. 602. Agrivoltaic systems.

Sec. 603. AgSTAR program.
 TITLE VII--FOOD LOSS AND WASTE

 Subtitle A--Food Date Labeling

Sec. 701. Definitions.

Sec. 702. Quality date phrases and discard date phrases.

Sec. 703. Misbranding.

Sec. 704. Regulations.

Sec. 705. Delayed applicability.
 Subtitle B--Other Provisions

Sec. 711. Composting as conservation practice.

Sec. 712. Amendments to Federal Food Donation Act.

Sec. 713. Grants for composting and anaerobic digestion food waste-to-
 energy projects.

Sec. 714. School food waste reduction grant program.

Sec. 715. Support for national media campaigns to decrease incidence of 
 food waste.

Sec. 716. Food Waste Research Program.

SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF SECRETARY.

 In this Act, the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
Agriculture.

 TITLE I--NATIONAL GOALS

SEC. 101. NATIONAL GOALS.

    (a) 

=== Purpose ===
-The purpose of the national goals described in 
subsection

    (b) is to prevent climate change from exceeding 1.5 degrees 
Celsius of warming above preindustrial levels through a national 
greenhouse gas emission reduction effort.

    (b) National Goals.--The national goals for the agricultural sector 
shall be to achieve--

    (1) not less than a 50-percent reduction in net greenhouse 
 gas emissions, as compared to those levels during calendar year 
 2010, by not later than December 31, 2030; and

    (2) net zero emissions by not later than December 31, 2040.
            (c) Subgoals.--To achieve the national goals described in 
subsection

    (b) , there are established the following subgoals:

    (1) Research.--The total Federal investment in public food 
 and agriculture research and extension should--
        (A) at a minimum, as compared to that total Federal 
 investment for fiscal year 2023--
            (i) triple by not later than December 31, 
 2030; and
            (ii) quadruple by not later than December 
 31, 2040; and
        (B) strongly focus on climate change adaptation and 
 mitigation, soil health and carbon sequestration, 
 nutrient and manure management to curb nitrous oxide 
 and methane emissions, agroforestry, advanced grazing 
 management and crop-livestock integration, perennial 
 production systems, on-farm and food system energy 
 efficiency and renewable energy production, farmland 
 preservation and viability, food waste reduction, and 
 any other related areas, as determined by the 
 Secretary.

    (2) Soil health.--The United States should--
        (A) immediately become a member of the Partners 
 Forum and the Consortium of the 4 per 1,000 Initiative, 
 hosted by the Consultative Group for International 
 Agricultural Research, with the aim of increasing total 
 soil carbon stocks by 0.4 percent annually to reduce 
 carbon in the atmosphere, restore soil health and 
 productivity, and thereby improve food security;
        (B) sufficiently expand adoption of soil health 
 systems and practices (including diverse crop 
 rotations, cover cropping, and conservation tillage), 
 perennial crop and grass-based livestock production 
 systems, agroforestry, composting, advanced nutrient 
 budgeting and biologically based nutrient management, 
 advanced grazing management (including silvopasture and 
 management-intensive rotational grazing), and 
 integrated crop-livestock systems--
            (i) to reduce nitrous oxide emissions from 
 agricultural soils, as compared to those levels 
 during calendar year 2023--
            (I) by 25 percent by not later than 
 December 31, 2030; and
            (II) by 75 percent by not later 
 than December 31, 2040;
            (ii) to increase soil carbon stocks by 0.4 
 percent annually on at least 50 percent of 
 agricultural land by not later than December 
 31, 2030; and
            (iii) to meet or exceed the threshold 
 described in clause
            (ii) on all agricultural 
 land by not later than December 31, 2040;
            (C) expand implementation of regionally appropriate 
 cover crops and other continual living cover so that--
            (i) at least 50 percent of cropland acres 
 include 1 or more cover crops or other 
 continual living cover in the rotations of the 
 cropland acres by not later than December 31, 
 2030;
            (ii) at least 75 percent of cropland acres 
 include 1 or more cover crops or other 
 continual living cover in the rotations of the 
 cropland acres by not later than December 31, 
 2040;
            (iii) cropland acres are covered by crops 
 (including forages and hay crops), cover crops, 
 or residue for an average of 75 percent of each 
 calendar year by not later than December 31, 
 2030; and
            (iv) cropland acres are covered by crops 
 (including forages and hay crops), cover crops, 
 or residue for an average of 85 percent of each 
 calendar year by not later than December 31, 
 2040; and
            (D) encourage conversion of at least--
            (i) 15 percent of annual grain crop acres, 
 as in use on the date of enactment of this Act, 
 to agroforestry, perennial grazing, perennial 
 grain crops, or other perennial production 
 systems by not later than December 31, 2030; 
 and
            (ii) 30 percent of annual grain crop acres, 
 as in use on the date of enactment of this Act, 
 to agroforestry, perennial grazing, perennial 
 grain crops, or other perennial production 
 systems by not later than December 31, 2040.

    (3) Farmland preservation.--
        (A) 2030 goal.--The rate of conversion of 
 agricultural land to development, and the rate of 
 conversion of grassland to cropping, should be reduced 
 by at least 80 percent, as compared to those rates for 
 calendar year 2023, by not later than December 31, 
 2030.
        (B) 2040 goal.--There should be no conversion of 
 agricultural land to development, or grassland to 
 cropping, by not later than December 31, 2040.

    (4) Pasture-based livestock.--The livestock sector should--
        (A) establish advanced grazing management, 
 including management-intensive rotational grazing, on 
 at least--
            (i) 50 percent of all grazing land by not 
 later than December 31, 2030; and
            (ii) 100 percent of all grazing land by not 
 later than December 31, 2040;
        (B)
            (i) reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to 
 feeding of ruminants by at least--
            (I) \1/3\ by not later than December 31, 
 2030; and
            (II) \1/2\ by not later than December 31, 
 2040; and
            (ii) accomplish the reductions described in clause
            (i) by--
            (I) reducing nongrazing feeding of 
 ruminants;
            (II) growing feed grains and forages with 
 soil health and nutrient management practices 
 that minimize net greenhouse gas emissions from 
 cropland; and
            (III) designing livestock feed mixtures and 
 supplements to mitigate enteric methane 
 emissions;
            (C) reintegrate livestock and crop production 
 systems at farm, local, and regional levels to 
 facilitate environmentally sound management and field 
 application of manure and reduce the need for long-term 
 manure storage by increasing acreage on individual 
 farms under crop-livestock integrated management by at 
 least--
            (i) 100 percent, as compared to calendar 
 year 2017 levels, by not later than December 
 31, 2030; and
            (ii) 300 percent, as compared to calendar 
 year 2017 levels, by not later than December 
 31, 2040; and
            (D) reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from 
 manure management by--
            (i) immediately ceasing building any new or 
 expanded waste lagoons for confined animal 
 feeding operations; and
            (ii) converting--
            (I) by not later than December 31, 
 2030, at least \1/3\ of wet manure 
 handling and storage to nondigester 
 dairy or livestock methane management 
 methods (within the meaning of 

section 1240T

    (a) of the Food Security Act of 
 1985); and
            (II) by not later than December 31, 
 2040, at least \2/3\ of wet manure 
 handling and storage to such 
 nondigester dairy or livestock methane 
 management methods.

    (5) On-farm renewable energy.--The agricultural sector 
 should--
        (A) implement energy audits and energy efficiency 
 improvements on at least--
            (i) 50 percent of farms by not later than 
 December 31, 2030; and
            (ii) 100 percent of farms by not later than 
 December 31, 2040;
        (B) expand on-farm clean renewable energy 
 production to a level that is at least--
            (i) double the calendar year 2017 level by 
 not later than December 31, 2030; and
            (ii) triple the calendar year 2017 level by 
 not later than December 31, 2040; and
            (C) install and manage on-farm renewable energy 
 infrastructure in a manner that does not--
            (i) compromise the climate resilience and 
 greenhouse gas mitigation goals of this Act; or
            (ii) adversely impact farmland, soil, and 
 water resources, or food production.

    (6) Food loss and waste.--Consistent with the Food Waste 
 Challenge launched by the Department of Agriculture and the 
 Environmental Protection Agency in June 2013, and the national 
 food loss and waste goal announced in September 2015, the food 
 and agricultural sector should commit to--
        (A) at least a 50-percent reduction in food loss 
 and waste by not later than December 31, 2030;
        (B) at least a 75-percent reduction in food loss 
 and waste by not later than December 31, 2040; and
            (C) in a manner consistent with the Food Recovery 
 Hierarchy established by the Environmental Protection 
 Agency, diverting from landfills through composting and 
 other means at least--
            (i) 50 percent of unavoidable food waste 
 and food processing byproducts by not later 
 than December 31, 2030; and
            (ii) 90 percent of unavoidable food waste 
 and food processing byproducts by not later 
 than December 31, 2040.

SEC. 102. ACTION PLAN.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall--

    (1) develop a plan (referred to in this section as the 
 ``plan''), which may involve actions to be taken by other 
 Federal agencies, to make significant and rapid progress to 
 achieve the national goals described in 

section 101; and

    (2) make the plan available for public comment for a period 
 of not less than 90 days.

    (b) Actions.--Actions under the plan shall--

    (1) include issuing regulations, providing incentives, 
 carrying out research and development programs, and any other 
 actions the Secretary determines to be necessary to achieve the 
 national goals described in 

section 101; and

    (2) be designed--
        (A) to fully implement this Act and the amendments 
 made by this Act;
        (B) to provide benefits for farmers and ranchers, 
 rural communities, small businesses, and consumers;
            (C) to improve public health, resilience, and 
 environmental outcomes, especially for rural and low-
 income households, communities of color, Tribal and 
 Indigenous communities, and communities that are 
 disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate 
 change, air and water pollution, and other resource 
 degradation; and
            (D) to prioritize investments that reduce emissions 
 of greenhouse gases and sequester carbon, while 
 simultaneously helping to solve other pressing 
 agroenvironmental resource concerns, increase farming 
 and ranching opportunities, create quality jobs, 
 improve farmworker working conditions and living 
 standards, and make communities more resilient to the 
 effects of climate change.
            (c) Final Plan.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--

    (1) finalize the plan, taking into account any public 
 comments received on the plan;

    (2) submit the plan to Congress; and

    (3) begin implementation of the plan.
            (d) Updates.--Beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date 
on which the Secretary submits the plan to Congress under subsection
            (c) (2) , and not less frequently than biennially thereafter, the 
Secretary shall--

    (1) review and revise the plan to ensure that the plan is 
 sufficient to achieve the national goals described in 

section 101; and

    (2) submit the revised plan to Congress.

    (e) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which 
the Secretary submits the plan to Congress under subsection
            (c) (2) , and 
annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress, and make 
publicly available, an annual report that describes, for the period 
covered by the report--

    (1) actions taken pursuant to the plan and the effects of 
 those actions;

    (2) the conclusion of the most recent review of the plan 
 conducted under subsection
            (d) (1) ; and

    (3) a summary of any revisions made to the plan under that 
 subsection, if applicable.

 TITLE II--RESEARCH

SEC. 201. RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION PURPOSE.

 

Section 1402 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (8) , by striking ``and'' at the end;

    (2) by redesignating paragraphs

    (8) and

    (9) as paragraphs

    (9) and

    (11) , respectively;

    (3) by inserting after paragraph

    (7) the following:
 ``

    (8) accelerate the ability of agriculture and the food 
 system of the United States to first achieve net-zero carbon 
 emissions and then be carbon negative by removing additional 
 carbon dioxide from the atmosphere;'';

    (4) by inserting after paragraph

    (9) (as so redesignated) 
 the following:
 ``

    (10) develop food systems that are healthful, 
 sustainable, equitable, and resilient to extreme weather, other 
 impacts of climate change, and other potential intersecting 
 global and national disruptions; and''; and

    (5) in paragraph

    (11) (as so redesignated), in subparagraph
        (B) , by inserting ``and delivering to agricultural producers'' 
 after ``improving''.

SEC. 202. REGIONAL HUBS FOR RISK MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE 
 CHANGE.

 Title IV of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Reform Act of 1998 is amended by inserting before 

section 404 (7 U.S.C. 
7624) the following:

``

SEC. 401. REGIONAL HUBS FOR RISK MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE 
 CHANGE.

 ``

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a national 
network of regional hubs for risk mitigation and adaptation to climate 
change to provide to farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and other 
agricultural and natural resource managers--
 ``

    (1) science-based, region-specific, cost-effective, and 
 practical information and program support for science-informed 
 decisionmaking in light of the increased costs, opportunities, 
 risks, and vulnerabilities associated with a changing climate; 
 and
 ``

    (2) access to assistance to implement that 
 decisionmaking.
 ``

    (b) Eligibility.--An entity shall be eligible to be selected as a 
regional hub under subsection

    (a) if the entity is an office of--
 ``

    (1) the Agricultural Research Service;
 ``

    (2) the Forest Service; or
 ``

    (3) any other agency of the Department that the Secretary 
 determines to be appropriate.
 ``
            (c) Administration.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The network established under subsection

    (a) shall be designated and administered jointly by the 
 Agricultural Research Service and the Forest Service, in 
 partnership with other Federal agencies, including the 
 following:
 ``
        (A) Within the Department, the following 
 agencies:
 ``
            (i) The Natural Resources Conservation 
 Service.
 ``
            (ii) The Farm Service Agency.
 ``
            (iii) The Risk Management Agency.
 ``
            (iv) The Animal and Plant Health 
 Inspection Service.
 ``
            (v) The National Institute of Food and 
 Agriculture.
 ``
        (B) The Department of the Interior.
 ``
            (C) The Department of Energy.
 ``
            (D) The Environmental Protection Agency.
 ``
        (E) The United States Geological Survey.
 ``
        (F) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
 Administration.
 ``
        (G) The National Aeronautics and Space 
 Administration.
 ``
        (H) Such other Federal agencies as the Secretary 
 determines to be appropriate.
 ``

    (2) Partners.--The regional hubs established under 
 subsection

    (a) shall work in close partnership with other 
 stakeholders and partners, including--
 ``
        (A) colleges and universities (as defined in 
 

section 1404 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 
 U.S.C. 3103));
 ``
        (B) cooperative extension services (as defined in 
 that section);
 ``
            (C) State agricultural experiment stations (as 
 defined in that section);
 ``
            (D) private entities;
 ``
        (E) State, local, and regional governments;
 ``
        (F) Indian Tribes;
 ``
        (G) agriculture and commodity organizations;
 ``
        (H) nonprofit and community-based organizations; 
 and
 ``
            (I) other partners, as determined by the 
 Secretary.
 ``
            (d) Responsibilities.--A regional hub established under 
subsection

    (a) shall--
 ``

    (1) offer tools, strategic management options, and 
 technical support to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners 
 to help those farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners mitigate 
 and adapt to climate change;
 ``

    (2) direct farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to 
 Federal agencies that can provide program support to enable 
 those farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to implement 
 science-informed management practices that address climate 
 change;
 ``

    (3) determine how climate and weather projections will 
 impact the agricultural and forestry sectors;
 ``

    (4) provide periodic regional assessments of risk and 
 vulnerability in the agricultural and forestry sectors--
 ``
        (A) to help farmers, ranchers, and forest 
 landowners better understand the potential direct and 
 indirect impacts of climate change; and
 ``
        (B) to inform the United States Global Change 
 Research Program established under 

section 103 of the 
 Global Change Research Act of 1990 (15 U.S.C. 2933);
 ``

    (5) provide to farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and 
 rural communities outreach, education, and extension services 
 relating to science-based risk management through partnerships 
 with the land-grant colleges and universities (as defined in 
 

section 1404 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
 3103)), cooperative extension services (as defined in that 
 section), and other entities;
 ``

    (6) work with any cooperative extension services (as 
 defined in 

section 1404 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 
 (7 U.S.C. 3103)), conservation districts, and nongovernmental 
 organizations involved in farmer outreach in the region served 
 by the hub to assist producers in developing business plans and 
 conservation plans that take into account emerging climate risk 
 science with respect to crop, production, and conservation 
 system changes that will help producers adapt to a changing 
 climate; and
 ``

    (7) establish, in partnership with programs and projects 
 carried out under subtitle B of title XVI of the Food, 
 Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5801 
 et seq.), additional partnerships with farmers and nonprofit 
 and community-based organizations to conduct applied on-farm 
 research on climate change.
 ``

    (e) Priorities.--A regional hub established under subsection

    (a) shall prioritize synthesis and dissemination of research and data 
collection activities in the following areas:
 ``

    (1) Improved measurement and monitoring of--
 ``
        (A) soil organic carbon sequestration; and
 ``
        (B) total net greenhouse gas impacts of different 
 farming systems and practices.
 ``

    (2) Lifecycle analysis for total net greenhouse gas 
 emissions related to--
 ``
        (A) alternative cropping systems;
 ``
        (B) alternative livestock production systems;
 ``
            (C) integrated cropping-livestock systems;
 ``
            (D) alternative biofuel crop production systems 
 and biofuel end uses;
 ``
        (E) alternative agroforestry practices and 
 systems; and
 ``
        (F) alternative forestry management systems.
 ``

    (3) Research and education relating to--
 ``
        (A) optimal soil health management systems and 
 practices;
 ``
        (B) advanced biological nutrient management based 
 on optimal soil health practices;
 ``
            (C) enhanced synergies between crop roots and 
 soil biota;
 ``
            (D) linkages between soil, plant, animal, and 
 human health;
 ``
        (E) adaption and mitigation needs of 
 stakeholders;
 ``
        (F) new crops or new crop varieties to help 
 producers be profitable while implementing soil health 
 management systems and adapting to a changing climate;
 ``
        (G) social and economic barriers to stakeholder 
 adoption of new practices that improve adaptation, 
 mitigation, and soil sequestration; and
 ``
        (H) evaluation and assessment of climate-related 
 decision tools of the Department.
 ``

    (4) Grazing-based livestock management systems to 
 optimize the net greenhouse gas footprint, including--
 ``
        (A) grazing land carbon sequestration;
 ``
        (B) reduction of nitrous oxide emissions from 
 manure deposited on grazing land; and
 ``
            (C) mitigation of enteric methane.
 ``

    (5) Perennial production systems that sequester carbon, 
 enhance soil health, and increase resilience, including--
 ``
        (A) perennial forages;
 ``
        (B) perennial grains; and
 ``
            (C) agroforestry.
 ``

    (f) Stakeholder Input.--Each regional hub established under 
subsection

    (a) --
 ``

    (1) shall solicit input from stakeholders relating to 
 pressing needs, important issues, and outreach strategies 
 through a variety of mechanisms, including regional stakeholder 
 committees; and
 ``

    (2) may partner with stakeholders in conducting research 
 and developing tools.
 ``

    (g) Risk Management.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall appoint a team of 
 individuals representing the regional hubs established under 
 subsection

    (a) , partners with those regional hubs, and the Risk 
 Management Agency to develop recommendations to better account 
 for--
 ``
        (A) climate risk in actuarial tables; and
 ``
        (B) soil health and other risk-reducing 
 conservation activities under the Federal crop 
 insurance program under the Federal Crop Insurance Act 
 (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
 ``

    (2) Submission of recommendations.--The team appointed 
 under paragraph

    (1) shall submit to the Secretary, on an 
 iterative basis, but not less frequently than once every 2 
 years, the recommendations developed by the team under that 
 paragraph.
 ``

    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2026 through 2030.''.

SEC. 203. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION RESILIENCE 
 INITIATIVE.

    (a) Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.--

Section 1619 
of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
5801) is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (a) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (5) , by striking ``and'' at the 
 end;
        (B) in paragraph

    (6) , by striking the period at the 
 end and inserting ``; and''; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (7) increase resilience in the context of a changing 
 climate and related economic, social, and environmental 
 shocks.''; and

    (2) in subsection

    (b) --
        (A) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) , by 
 striking ``For purposes of'' and inserting ``In'';
        (B) by striking ``shall have the same meaning given 
 to that term by'' each place it appears and inserting 
 ``has the meaning given that term in'';
            (C) by striking paragraph

    (3) ;
            (D) in each of paragraphs

    (1) ,

    (4) ,

    (5) ,

    (6) ,

    (7) ,

    (8) , and

    (9) , by inserting a paragraph heading, the 
 text of which comprises the term defined in that 
 paragraph;
        (E) in paragraph

    (2) --
            (i) by striking the paragraph designation 
 and all that follows through ``means'' and 
 inserting the following:
 ``

    (2) Integrated crop and livestock management system or 
 practice.--The term `integrated crop and livestock management 
 system or practice' means''; and
            (ii) by inserting ``resilience,'' after 
 ``profitability,'';
        (F) by redesignating paragraphs

    (1) ,

    (2) ,

    (4) ,

    (5) , 
 and

    (9) as paragraphs

    (9) ,

    (3) ,

    (1) ,

    (2) , and

    (4) , 
 respectively, and moving all paragraphs so as to appear 
 in numerical order; and
        (G) by inserting before paragraph

    (6) the 
 following:
 ``

    (5) Resilience.--The term `resilience', with respect to 
 an agricultural management system, means the ability of that 
 system to absorb and recover from climate and other 
 disturbances, such that the system is not impacted by a severe 
 shock.''.

    (b) Eligibility To Enter Into Research and Extension Project 
Agreements.--

Section 1621

    (b) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5811

    (b) ) is amended by striking ``or 
Federal or State'' and inserting ``1994 Institutions (as defined in 

section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 
(7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103-382)), or Federal, State, or 
Tribal''.
            (c) Agricultural and Food System Resilience Initiative.--

    (1) In general.--

Section 1627 of the Food, Agriculture, 
 Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5821) is amended 
 to read as follows:

``

SEC. 1627. AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SYSTEM RESILIENCE INITIATIVE.

 ``

    (a) Establishment.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--In close conjunction with programs and 
 projects established under sections 1621 and 1623, the 
 Secretary shall establish a research, education, extension, and 
 outreach initiative to increase the resilience and climate 
 change mitigation potential of agriculture and the food system 
 in the context of a changing climate and related economic, 
 social, and environmental shocks, which may include--
 ``
        (A) farmer and rancher research and demonstration 
 grants; and
 ``
        (B) the use of an interdisciplinary approach 
 wherever appropriate.
 ``

    (2) === Purposes ===
-The purposes of the initiative established 
 under paragraph

    (1) shall be--
 ``
        (A) to equip farmers to prepare, adapt, and 
 transform the farming systems of the farmers when 
 confronted by shocks and stresses to the agricultural 
 production and livelihoods of the farmers;
 ``
        (B) to support local and regional food systems 
 that support resilience and enhance local access to and 
 control over productive resources;
 ``
            (C) to encourage producers to adopt practices and 
 systems that provide living cover year-round throughout 
 the farm, including through the use of cover crops and 
 perennial plants in diversified combinations, and that 
 are designed to support crop, livestock, and crop-
 livestock integrated systems that--
 ``
            (i) minimize or abate adverse climate and 
 environmental impacts;
 ``
            (ii) increase soil carbon sequestration 
 and storage;
 ``
            (iii) reduce soil erosion and loss of 
 water and nutrients;
 ``
            (iv) enhance soil quality and the 
 efficient use of on-farm and off-farm inputs;
 ``
            (v) reduce dependency on fossil fuels; 
 and
 ``
            (vi) maintain or increase profitability 
 and long-term productivity;
 ``
            (D) to develop knowledge and information and 
 conduct outreach on living cover systems and practices, 
 including greater use of perennials, and integrated 
 crop and livestock management systems and practices to 
 increase resilience and assist agricultural producers 
 in the adoption of those systems and practices;
 ``
        (E) to facilitate the adoption of year-round 
 living cover and perennial production systems 
 supporting whole-farm integrated crop and livestock 
 management systems and practices through demonstration 
 projects on individual farms, including small and 
 limited resource farms, throughout the United States; 
 and
 ``
        (F) to evaluate and recommend appropriate 
 policies and programs to improve food and agricultural 
 system resilience.
 ``

    (b) Funding.--
 ``

    (1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
 Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
 section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year 
 thereafter.
 ``

    (2) Discretionary funding.--There is authorized to be 
 appropriated to carry out this section through the National 
 Institute of Food and Agriculture $20,000,000 for each of 
 fiscal years 2013 through 2030.''.

    (2) Conforming amendment.--The chapter heading of chapter 2 
 of subtitle B of title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, 
 Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5821) is amended 
 to read as follows: ``AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SYSTEM RESILIENCE 
 INITIATIVE''.
            (d) Technical Guides and Books.--

Section 1628 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5831) is 
amended--

    (1) by inserting ``and outreach resources and'' after 
 ``educational'' each place it appears;

    (2) in subsection

    (a) , by striking ``Not later than two 
 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
 Secretary'' and inserting ``The Secretary'';

    (3) in subsection

    (b) , by striking the second sentence;

    (4) in subsection
            (d) --
        (A) by redesignating paragraphs

    (3) and

    (4) as 
 paragraphs

    (4) and

    (5) , respectively; and
        (B) by inserting after paragraph

    (2) the following:
 ``

    (3) adapting to, and mitigating the effects of, climate 
 change;'';

    (5) in subsection

    (e) , by striking ``Soil Conservation'' 
 and inserting ``Natural Resources Conservation''; and

    (6) in subsection

    (f)

    (2) , by striking ``2023'' and 
 inserting ``2030''.

    (e) National Training Program.--

Section 1629 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5832) is 
amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (b) --
        (A) in the third sentence--
            (i) by inserting before the period at the 
 end the following: ``, including employees of 
 the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, 
 the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and 
 other appropriate Department of Agriculture 
 personnel, as determined by the Secretary, the 
 activities of whom involve the provision of 
 agricultural production and conservation 
 information to agricultural producers''; and
            (ii) by striking ``The coordinators'' and 
 inserting the following:
 ``
        (B) Responsibilities.--The coordinators'';
        (B) in the second sentence, by striking ``The 
 Secretary'' and inserting the following:
 ``

    (2) Coordinators.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The Secretary''; and
            (C) in the first sentence, by striking ``The 
 National'' and inserting the following:
 ``

    (1) In general.--The National'';

    (2) in subsection

    (f) , in the first sentence, by inserting 
 ``of Agriculture'' after ``Department'';

    (3) in subsection

    (g) --
        (A) by inserting ``of Agriculture'' after 
 ``Department'' each place it appears;
        (B) in paragraph

    (5) , by striking ``Soil 
 Conservation Service and the Agricultural Stabilization 
 and Conservation Service'' and inserting ``Natural 
 Resources Conservation Service and the Farm Service 
 Agency'';
            (C) by redesignating paragraphs

    (10) and

    (11) as 
 paragraphs

    (11) and

    (12) , respectively; and
            (D) by inserting after paragraph

    (9) the following;
 ``

    (10) develop and provide information relating to climate 
 change adaptation and mitigation developed under this subtitle 
 and other research and education programs of the Department of 
 Agriculture;'';

    (4) by striking subsection

    (h) ;

    (5) by redesignating subsection
            (i) as subsection

    (h) ; and

    (6) in subsection

    (h) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
 ``, and $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 
 2030'' before the period at the end.

SEC. 204. LONG-TERM AGROECOSYSTEM RESEARCH NETWORK.

 Title IV of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Reform Act of 1998 is amended by inserting before 

section 404 (7 U.S.C. 
7624) the following:

``

SEC. 402. LONG-TERM AGROECOSYSTEM RESEARCH NETWORK.

 ``

    (a) Establishment.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
 Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service, shall 
 provide for the establishment and maintenance of a network of 
 research sites, to be known as the `Long-Term Agroecosystem 
 Research Network' (referred to in this section as the 
 `Network'), operated by the Agricultural Research Service for 
 research regarding the sustainability of agricultural systems 
 in the United States.
 ``

    (2) Goals.--The Network shall have the following goals:
 ``
        (A) To understand and enhance the sustainability 
 of agriculture.
 ``
        (B) To integrate research projects with common 
 standardized measurements on multiple agroecosystems 
 and land uses, including cropland, rangeland, and 
 pastureland.
 ``
            (C) To develop new farming systems, practices, 
 and technologies to address agricultural challenges and 
 opportunities, including challenges and opportunities 
 posed by climate change.
 ``

    (b) Activities.--The activities of the Network shall include--
 ``

    (1) research conducted for a minimum of 30 years to 
 develop novel scientific insights at regional and national 
 scales, and to evaluate the applicability of, and adaptation 
 to, local conditions;
 ``

    (2) the establishment and maintenance of multiple sites 
 or research centers that capture the diversity of agricultural 
 production systems that function as a network; and
 ``

    (3) the coordination, management, and analysis of large-
 scale data collection relating to the sustainability of 
 agricultural systems and the provision of infrastructure to 
 research sites to allow for analyzing and disseminating those 
 data.
 ``
            (c) Coordination of Research.--In carrying out subsection

    (a) , 
the Secretary shall--
 ``

    (1) coordinate long-term agroecological research to 
 improve understanding within the Department regarding the means 
 by which agroecosystems function at the field, regional, and 
 national scales;
 ``

    (2) designate for inclusion in the Network research sites 
 that are representative of major agricultural regions;
 ``

    (3) ensure that each research site included in the 
 Network conducts experiments with standardized goals and 
 methods--
 ``
        (A) to increase agricultural productivity and 
 profitability;
 ``
        (B) to enhance agricultural resilience and the 
 capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change;
 ``
            (C) to boost the provision of ecosystem services 
 from agricultural landscapes; and
 ``
            (D) to improve opportunities for rural 
 communities;
 ``

    (4) make data collected at research sites included in the 
 Network open to researchers and the public whenever 
 practicable, and integrate data across the network and partner 
 sites;
 ``

    (5) provide infrastructure to research sites included in 
 the Network for data collection, common measurements, and data 
 streams that complement other national networks, such as the 
 National Ecological Observatory Network and the Long-Term 
 Ecological Research Network;
 ``

    (6) coordinate with Climate Hubs of the Department to 
 share research findings and data insights; and
 ``

    (7) collaborate with those Climate Hubs to translate 
 research findings into educational, outreach, and technical 
 assistance materials for agricultural producers.
 ``
            (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out activities of the Network under this section 
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.''.

SEC. 205. PUBLIC BREED AND CULTIVAR RESEARCH.

    (a) In General.--The Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research 
Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157) is amended--

    (1) by striking ``hereby'' each place it appears;

    (2) in subsection

    (a) --
        (A) by striking the subsection designation and 
 heading and all that follows through ``In order'' in 
 paragraph

    (1) and inserting the following:
 ``

    (a) Short Title; Definitions; Establishment of Grant Program.--
 ``

    (1) Establishment of grant program.--In order'';
        (B) by redesignating paragraphs

    (1) and

    (2) as 
 paragraphs

    (3) and

    (1) , respectively, and moving the 
 paragraphs so as to appear in numerical order; and
            (C) by inserting after paragraph

    (1) (as so 
 redesignated) the following:
 ``

    (2) === Definitions. ===
-In this section:
 ``
        (A) Conventional breeding.--The term 
 `conventional breeding' means the development of a new 
 variety of an organism through controlled mating and 
 selection without the use of transgenic methods.
 ``
        (B) Cultivar.--The term `cultivar' means a 
 variety of a species of plant that has been 
 intentionally selected for use in cultivation because 
 of the improved characteristics of that variety of the 
 species.
 ``
            (C) Public animal breed.--The term `public animal 
 breed' means an animal breed that is the commercially 
 available end product of a publicly funded breeding 
 program that has been sufficiently tested to 
 demonstrate improved characteristics and stable 
 performance.
 ``
            (D) Public cultivar.--The term `public cultivar' 
 means a cultivar--
 ``
            (i) that is the commercially available 
 end product of a publicly funded breeding 
 program that has been sufficiently tested to 
 demonstrate improved characteristics and stable 
 performance; and
 ``
            (ii) with respect to which, if 
 intellectual property rights are asserted, the 
 intellectual property rights are in the form of 
 plant patents or plant variety protection and 
 not utility patents.
 ``
        (E) Public cultivar or animal breed.--The term 
 `public cultivar or animal breed' means--
 ``
            (i) a public animal breed; and
 ``
            (ii) a public cultivar.
 ``
        (F) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the 
 Secretary of Agriculture.'';

    (3) in subsection

    (b) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) , by striking ``of Agriculture 
 (referred to in this subsection as `the Secretary')''; 
 and
        (B) by striking ``defined under'' each place it 
 appears and inserting ``defined in'';

    (4) in subsections
            (c) ,

    (e) ,

    (f) ,

    (g) ,
            (i) , and

    (k) , by 
 striking ``Secretary of Agriculture'' each place it appears and 
 inserting ``Secretary''; and

    (5) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (l) Public Breed and Cultivar Development Funding.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Of the total amount of grants made under 
 the provisions of law described in paragraph

    (2) , the Secretary 
 shall ensure that not less than $75,000,000 for each fiscal 
 year is used for competitive research grants that support the 
 development of public cultivars and animal breeds.
 ``

    (2) Applicable programs.--The provisions of law referred 
 to in paragraph

    (1) are--
 ``
        (A) subsections

    (a) and

    (b) ;
 ``
        (B) section 1672B

    (e) of the Food, Agriculture, 
 Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
 5925b

    (e) );
 ``
            (C) sections 1619 through 1624 of that Act (7 
 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.);
 ``
            (D) any relevant competitive grant program 
 authorized by 

section 406 of the Agricultural Research, 
 Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
 7626), as determined by the Secretary; and
 ``
        (E) section 412 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 7632).
 ``

    (3) Priority.--In making grants under paragraph

    (1) , the 
 Secretary shall give priority to high-potential research 
 projects that lead to the release of regionally adapted public 
 cultivars and animal breeds that assist producers in mitigating 
 and adapting to climate change, including--
 ``
        (A) regionally adapted public cultivars and 
 animal breeds;
 ``
        (B) public cultivars and animal breeds bred for 
 environmental resilience, including resilience to 
 changing climates, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, 
 and sequestering carbon;
 ``
            (C) public animal breeds adapted to grazing and 
 overwintering as appropriate for the applicable 
 production region;
 ``
            (D) public cultivars and animal breeds bred to 
 enhance the nutritional and health outcomes of local 
 and Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian 
 populations;
 ``
        (E) public cultivars and animal breeds of 
 indigenous and place-based importance that are 
 endangered; and
 ``
        (F) public cultivars and animal breeds with 
 beneficial and compatible characteristics and behaviors 
 for dual-use renewable energy-agricultural systems.
 ``

    (4) Grants.--The Secretary shall ensure that--
 ``
        (A) the terms and renewal process for any 
 competitive grants made under subsection

    (b) in 
 accordance with paragraph

    (1) facilitates the 
 development and commercialization of public cultivars 
 and animal breeds through long-term grants with a term 
 of not less than 5 years; and
 ``
        (B) Tribal consultation occurs to ensure public 
 cultivar or animal breed development does not infringe 
 on the abilities of Indian Tribes to maintain 
 culturally sensitive animal breeds and cultivars.
 ``

    (5) Requirement for domestic production.--No person that 
 receives title to a plant patent or plant variety protection 
 relating to any public cultivar or animal breed developed using 
 funds received under this subsection, and no assignee of any 
 such person, shall grant to any person the exclusive right to 
 use or sell that public cultivar or animal breed unless that 
 person agrees that any cultivars or animals embodying the 
 public cultivar or animal breed or produced through the use of 
 the public cultivar or animal breed will be produced 
 substantially in the United States.
 ``

    (6) Report.--Not later than October 1 of each year, the 
 Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that provides 
 information relating to all public cultivar and animal breeding 
 research funded by the Department of Agriculture, including--
 ``
        (A) a list of public cultivars and animal breeds 
 developed and released in a commercially available 
 form;
 ``
        (B) areas of high-priority research;
 ``
            (C) identified research gaps relating to public 
 cultivar and animal breed development; and
 ``
            (D) an assessment of the state of 
 commercialization for public cultivars and animal 
 breeds.''.

    (b) Public Breed and Cultivar Research Activities Coordination.--

    (1) In general.--

Section 251 of the Department of 
 Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) is 
 amended--
        (A) in subsection

    (e) , by adding at the end the 
 following:
 ``

    (7) Public breed and cultivar research activities 
 coordinator.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The Under Secretary shall 
 appoint a coordinator within the Office of the Chief 
 Scientist that reports to the Under Secretary to 
 coordinate research activities at the Department 
 relating to the breeding of public cultivars and animal 
 breeds (as defined in paragraph

    (2) of subsection

    (a) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research 
 Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157)).
 ``
        (B) Duties of coordinator.--The coordinator 
 appointed under subparagraph
        (A) shall--
 ``
            (i) coordinate plant and animal breeding 
 research activities funded by the Department 
 relating to the development of public cultivars 
 and animal breeds;
 ``
            (ii) 
            (I) carry out ongoing analysis and 
 track activities for any Federal research 
 funding supporting plant and animal breeding 
 (including any public cultivars and animal 
 breeds developed with Federal funds); and
 ``
            (II) ensure that the analysis and 
 activities are made available to the public not 
 later than 60 days after the last day of each 
 fiscal year;
 ``
            (iii) develop a strategic plan that 
 establishes targets for public cultivar and 
 animal breed research investments across the 
 Department to ensure that a diverse range of 
 crop and animal needs are being met in a timely 
 and transparent manner, with a strong focus on 
 delivery of resource-efficient, stress-
 tolerant, regionally adapted public cultivar 
 and animal breeds that--
 ``
            (I) help build agricultural 
 resilience to climate change; and
 ``
            (II) support on-farm carbon 
 sequestration and greenhouse gas 
 mitigation, nutritional quality, and 
 other farmer-identified priority 
 agronomic and market traits;
 ``
            (iv) convene a working group to carry out 
 the coordination functions described in this 
 subparagraph comprised of individuals who are 
 responsible for the management, administration, 
 or analysis of public cultivar and animal 
 breeding programs within the Department from--
 ``
            (I) the National Institute of 
 Food and Agriculture;
 ``
            (II) the Agricultural Research 
 Service; and
 ``
            (III) the Economic Research 
 Service;
 ``
            (v) in order to maximize delivery of 
 public cultivars and animal breeds, promote 
 collaboration among--
 ``
            (I) the coordinator;
 ``
            (II) the working group convened 
 under clause
            (iv) ;
 ``
            (III) the advisory council 
 established under 

section 1634 of the 
 Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
 Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5843);
 ``
            (IV) genetic resource 
 conservation centers;
 ``
            (V) land-grant colleges and 
 universities (as defined in 

section 1404 of the National Agricultural 
 Research, Extension, and Teaching 
 Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103));
 ``
            (VI) Hispanic-serving 
 institutions (as defined in 

section 502

    (a) of the Higher Education Act of 
 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a

    (a) ));
 ``
            (VII) Native American-serving 
 nontribal institutions (as defined in 
 

section 371
            (c) of the Higher Education 
 Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q
            (c) ));
 ``
            (VIII) Tribal Colleges and 
 Universities (as defined in 

section 316

    (b) of the Higher Education Act of 
 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c

    (b) )) and 
 federally recognized Indian Tribe 
 extension programs;
 ``
            (IX) nongovernmental 
 organizations with interest or 
 expertise in public breeding; and
 ``
            (X) public and private plant and 
 animal breeders, including small-scale 
 organic breeders;
 ``
            (vi) convene regular stakeholder 
 listening sessions to provide input on national 
 and regional priorities for public cultivar and 
 animal breed research activities across the 
 Department; and
 ``
            (vii) evaluate and make recommendations 
 to the Under Secretary with respect to training 
 and resource needs to meet future breeding 
 challenges.''; and
        (B) in subsection

    (f)

    (1)
            (D) 
            (i) , by striking ``(7 
 U.S.C. 450i

    (b) )'' and inserting ``(7 U.S.C. 3157

    (b) )''.

    (2) Conforming amendment.--

Section 296

    (b)

    (6)
        (B) of the 
 Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
 7014

    (b)

    (6)
        (B) ) is amended by striking ``Scientist; and'' and 
 inserting ``Scientist (including the public breed and cultivar 
 research activities coordinator under subsection

    (e)

    (7) of that 
 section); and''.
            (c) Public Breed and Cultivar Development.--Subtitle H of title XVI 
of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
5921 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``

SEC. 1681. PUBLIC BREED AND CULTIVAR DEVELOPMENT.

 ``

    (a) Funding.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the 
Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service (referred to in this 
section as the `Secretary') and in conjunction with the Director of the 
National Genetic Resources Program appointed under 

section 1633, shall 
support the development of public breeds and cultivars (as defined in 
paragraph

    (2) of subsection

    (a) of the Competitive, Special, and 
Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157)) by Federal researchers.
 ``

    (b) Priority.--In supporting research under subsection

    (a) using 
funds made available pursuant to subsection
            (d) , the Secretary shall 
give priority to high-potential research projects that lead to the 
release of regionally adapted public breeds and cultivars that assist 
producers in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
 ``
            (c) Report.--Not later than October 1 of each year, the Secretary 
shall submit to Congress a report that provides information relating to 
all public breed and cultivar research funded by the Agricultural 
Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, 
including--
 ``

    (1) a list of public breeds and cultivars developed and 
 released in a commercially available form;
 ``

    (2) areas of high-priority research;
 ``

    (3) identified research gaps relating to public breed and 
 cultivar development, including newly emerging needs stemming 
 from climate change; and
 ``

    (4) an assessment of the state of commercialization for 
 breeds and cultivars that have been developed.
 ``
            (d) Funding.--Of the funds made available to the Secretary for 
each fiscal year, not less than $50,000,000 shall be made available to 
carry out this section.''.

SEC. 206. ARS CLIMATE SCIENTIST CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, in accordance with 

section 922 of 
the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 
2279c), shall carry out an internship program within the Agricultural 
Research Service for graduate students pursuing a degree in, or 
conducting research relating to, climate change and agriculture.

    (b) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the 
Secretary may use to carry out the program under subsection

    (a) not 
more than $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

SEC. 207. AGRICULTURAL CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION THROUGH AFRI.

 Subsection

    (b)

    (2) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Grant 
Act (7 U.S.C. 3157

    (b)

    (2) ) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
 ``
        (G) Agricultural climate adaptation and 
 mitigation.--Agricultural climate adaptation and 
 mitigation, including--
 ``
            (i) strategies for agricultural 
 adaptation to climate change and drought, 
 including strategies for small- and medium-
 sized farms and ranches;
 ``
            (ii) on-farm mitigation strategies and 
 solutions, including infrastructure, equipment, 
 and ecosystem-based strategies;
 ``
            (iii) economic and social costs and 
 benefits of adopting conservation practices to 
 mitigate and adapt to climate change;
 ``
            (iv) ecosystem services co-benefits of 
 reducing net greenhouse gas emissions and 
 adapting to climate change;
 ``
            (v) new technologies, methods, and models 
 to measure and predict greenhouse gas emissions 
 and soil carbon sequestration; and
 ``
            (vi) the intersection of agricultural 
 production, soil health, climate change, and 
 human health.''.

SEC. 208. SPECIALTY CROP RESEARCH INITIATIVE.

 

Section 412 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632) is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (b) --
        (A) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) , by 
 inserting ``, diverse multicrop production systems,'' 
 after ``specific crops'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (3)
        (B)
            (ii) , by striking 
 ``pesticide application systems'' and inserting 
 ``ecologically based pest management, pesticide 
 application systems,'';
            (C) in paragraph

    (4)
        (E) , by striking ``and'' at the 
 end;
            (D) in paragraph

    (5) , by striking the period at the 
 end and inserting ``; and''; and
        (E) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (6) efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, 
 including--
 ``
        (A) on-farm mitigation strategies and solutions, 
 including agricultural ecosystem-based strategies;
 ``
        (B) conservation practices and technologies 
 designed to improve soil health, including practices 
 and technologies that sequester carbon in soil; and
 ``
            (C) breeding research and cultivar development to 
 help adapt to climate change.''; and

    (2) in subsection

    (g)

    (3)
        (A) , by striking ``equal to not 
 less than the amount of the grant'' and inserting ``in an 
 amount that is equal to not less than 25 percent of the funds 
 provided through the grant''.

SEC. 209. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT.

 

Section 406 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626) is amended--

    (1) by redesignating subsections
            (d) ,

    (e) , and

    (f) as 
 subsections

    (f) ,

    (g) , and

    (h) , respectively;

    (2) by inserting after subsection
            (c) the following:
 ``
            (d) Emphasis on Climate Resilience.--The Secretary shall ensure 
that grants made under this section are, where appropriate, consistent 
with the development of food and agricultural systems that improve 
climate resilience.
 ``

    (e) Ecologically Based Pest Management.--The Secretary shall 
ensure that grants made under this section to support pest management 
prioritize ecologically based approaches that--
 ``

    (1) are effective, affordable, and environmentally sound;
 ``

    (2) maintain agricultural productivity and healthy 
 communities; and
 ``

    (3) improve climate resilience.''; and

    (3) in subsection

    (h) (as so redesignated), by striking 
 ``2023'' and inserting ``2030''.

SEC. 210. APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR RURAL AREAS PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--

Section 310B
            (i) (2) of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932
            (i) (2) ) is amended--

    (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) , by striking 
 ``that are seeking information to'' and inserting ``, including 
 beginning farmers or ranchers and veteran farmers or ranchers 
 (as those terms are defined in 

section 2501

    (a) of the Food, 
 Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
 2279

    (a) )) and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers (as 
 defined in 

section 355

    (e) ), that are seeking information'';

    (2) in each of subparagraphs
        (A) through
            (D) , by inserting 
 ``to'' after the subparagraph designation;

    (3) in subparagraph
            (C) , by striking ``and'' at the end;

    (4) by redesignating subparagraph
            (D) as subparagraph
        (E) ;

    (5) by inserting after subparagraph
            (C) the following:
 ``
            (D) to increase on-farm resilience to extreme 
 weather by enhancing soil health and adopting other 
 conservation practices;'';

    (6) in subparagraph
        (E) (as so redesignated), by striking 
 the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and

    (7) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
        (F) to improve farm viability and strengthen 
 local, regional, and national supply chains.''.

    (b) Implementation.--

Section 310B
            (i) (3) of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932
            (i) (3) ) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
 ``
            (C) Eligibility for, and use of, other funds.--A 
 national nonprofit agricultural assistance institution 
 that receives a grant or enters into a cooperative 
 agreement under this subsection--
 ``
            (i) may not, as a result of that grant or 
 cooperative agreement, be treated as ineligible 
 for a grant under any other Federal program; 
 and
 ``
            (ii) may use, in accordance with 
 applicable law, other public and private funds 
 made available to the institution to expand the 
 resources and outreach of the program 
 established under this subsection.''.
            (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--

Section 310B
            (i) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932
            (i) ) is 
amended by striking paragraph

    (4) and inserting the following:
 ``

    (4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
 authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection--
 ``
        (A) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
 ``
        (B) $8,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 
 through 2030.''.

 TITLE III--SOIL HEALTH

SEC. 301. CROP INSURANCE.

    (a) Voluntary Good Farming Practices.--

Section 508

    (a)

    (3)
        (A)
            (iii) of 
the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508

    (a)

    (3)
        (A)
            (iii) ) is 
amended--

    (1) by striking ``including scientifically'' and inserting 
 the following: ``including--
 ``
            (I) scientifically'';

    (2) in subclause
            (I) (as so designated), by striking the 
 period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and

    (3) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (II) conservation practices and 
 enhancements that are approved by--
 ``

    (aa) the Natural 
 Resources Conservation Service; 
 or
 ``

    (bb) an agricultural 
 expert, as determined by the 
 Secretary.''.

    (b) Risk-Reduction Based Discounts.--

Section 508
            (d) of the Federal 
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508
            (d) ) is amended--

    (1) by redesignating paragraph

    (4) as paragraph

    (5) ; and

    (2) by inserting after paragraph

    (3) the following:
 ``

    (4) Risk-reduction based discount.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--Effective beginning with the 
 2026 reinsurance year, the Corporation may provide a 
 risk-reduction based premium discount for a producer of 
 an agricultural commodity that uses risk-reduction 
 farming practices, as determined by the Corporation in 
 accordance with subparagraph
        (B) .
 ``
        (B) Risk-reduction farming practices.--For 
 purposes of subparagraph
        (A) , a risk-reduction farming 
 practice may include any of the following:
 ``
            (i) The use of a cover crop.
 ``
            (ii) A resource-conserving crop rotation.
 ``
            (iii) Management-intensive rotational 
 grazing.
 ``
            (iv) A compost or biochar application.
 ``
            (v) An agroforestry or other perennial 
 production system.
 ``
            (vi) Other risk-reducing and soil health-
 promoting farming practices, as determined by 
 the Corporation.''.
            (c) Crop Production on Native Sod Applicability.--

    (1) Application to certain states.--

Section 508

    (o) of the 
 Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508

    (o) ) is amended by 
 striking paragraph

    (3) .

    (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph

    (1) shall take effect on the first day of the first reinsurance 
 year that begins after the date that is 1 year after the date 
 of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 302. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM.

    (a) 

=== Purposes ===
-

Section 1240 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3839aa) is amended--

    (1) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) , by striking 
 ``and environmental quality'' and inserting ``environmental 
 quality, and climate change adaptation and mitigation'';

    (2) in paragraph

    (1) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking ``and'' at the 
 end;
        (B) in subparagraph
            (C) , by adding ``and'' at the 
 end; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (D) greenhouse gas emissions reduction and carbon 
 sequestration;'';

    (3) in paragraph

    (3)
            (C) , by inserting ``sequestering 
 carbon, increasing drought resilience, reducing greenhouse gas 
 emissions, and'' before ``conserving energy''; and

    (4) in paragraph

    (4) , by inserting ``climate change and'' 
 before ``increasing weather volatility''.

    (b) 

=== Definitions. ===
-

Section 1240A of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa-1) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (6)
        (B) --
        (A) in clause
            (v) , by striking ``and'' at the end;
        (B) by redesignating clause
            (vi) as clause
            (vii) ; 
 and
            (C) by inserting after clause
            (v) the following:
 ``
            (vi) greenhouse gas emissions reduction 
 planning; and'';

    (2) in paragraph

    (7) , in the matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) , by striking ``natural resource concern or problem'' and 
 inserting ``resource concern'';

    (3) by redesignating paragraphs

    (9) and

    (10) as paragraphs

    (10) and

    (11) , respectively; and

    (4) by inserting after paragraph

    (8) the following:
 ``

    (9) Resource concern.--The term `resource concern' means 
 a natural resource condition of the soil, water, air, plant, 
 animal, or energy resource base that impairs the sustainability 
 or an intended use of the resource.''.
            (c) Establishment and Administration.--

    (1) Payments.--

Section 1240B
            (d) (7)
        (A) of the Food Security 
 Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2
            (d) (7)
        (A) ) is amended--
        (A) in clause
            (iii) , by striking ``; or'' and 
 inserting a semicolon;
        (B) in clause
            (iv) , by striking the period at the 
 end and inserting ``; or''; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (v) increases carbon sequestration or 
 reduces greenhouse gas emissions.''.

    (2) Allocation of funding.--

Section 1240B

    (f)

    (1) of the Food 
 Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2

    (f)

    (1) ) is amended--
        (A) by striking ``2023, at least'' and inserting 
 ``2033, not less than''; and
        (B) by striking ``including grazing management 
 practices'' and inserting ``of which not less than \2/
 3\ shall be targeted at practices relating to grazing 
 management''.

    (3) Payments for conservation practices related to organic 
 production.--

Section 1240B
            (i) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2
            (i) ) is amended--
        (A) by striking paragraph

    (3) ; and
        (B) by redesignating paragraphs

    (4) and

    (5) as 
 paragraphs

    (3) and

    (4) , respectively.

    (4) Conservation incentive contracts.--

Section 1240B

    (j) of 
 the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2

    (j) ) is 
 amended--
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (A) , by inserting ``, 
 which may include climate change adaptation and 
 mitigation,'' after ``priority resource 
 concerns''; and
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (B) , by inserting ``, 
 which may include climate change adaptation and 
 mitigation'' before the period at the end; and
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (A)
            (ii) --
            (I) in subclause
            (I) , by striking 
 ``or'' at the end;
            (II) in subclause
            (II) , by striking 
 the period at the end and inserting ``; 
 or''; and
            (III) by adding at the end the 
 following:
 ``
            (III) funding, through annual 
 payments, for a suite of incentive 
 practices that are appropriate for the 
 region and land use and that best 
 enhance soil health and carbon 
 sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas 
 emissions, as determined by the 
 Secretary.'';
            (ii) by striking subparagraph
        (B) and 
 inserting the following:
 ``
        (B) Term.--
 ``
            (i) In general.--A contract under this 
 subsection shall have a term of not less than 
 5, and not more than 10, years.
 ``
            (ii) Graduation option.--The Secretary 
 may reduce the term for a contract under this 
 subsection if the producer enters into a 
 conservation stewardship contract under 

section 1240K with respect to the eligible land that is 
 subject to the contract under this 
 subsection.''; and
            (iii) in subparagraph
            (C) --
            (I) in clause
            (i) , by striking 
 ``and'' at the end;
            (II) in clause
            (ii) , by striking 
 the period at the end and inserting ``; 
 and''; and
            (III) by adding at the end the 
 following:
 ``
            (iii) give priority to applications that 
 cover eligible land that, on expiration of a 
 contract under this subsection, may be enrolled 
 in a conservation stewardship contract under 
 

section 1240K.''.
            (d) Environmental Quality Incentives Plan.--

Section 1240E

    (a)

    (3) of 
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-5

    (a)

    (3) ) is amended by 
inserting ``, and a greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan'' after 
``if applicable''.

    (e) Limitation on Payments.--

Section 1240G of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-7) is amended by striking ``Not including 
payments'' and all that follows through ``2023'' and inserting ``A 
person or legal entity (including a joint venture and a general 
partnership) may not receive, directly or indirectly, cost-share or 
incentive payments under this subchapter that, in aggregate, exceed 
$450,000 for all contracts entered into under this subchapter by the 
person or legal entity during any 5-fiscal-year period''.

    (f) Conservation Innovation Grants.--

    (1) Air quality concerns from agricultural operations.--
 

Section 1240H

    (b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
 3839aa-8

    (b) ) is amended--
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) by striking ``practices to address'' in 
 the first sentence and all that follows through 
 ``The funds'' in the second sentence and 
 inserting the following: ``practices--
 ``
            (i) to address air quality concerns from 
 agricultural operations; and
 ``
            (ii) to meet Federal, State, and local--
 ``
            (I) regulatory requirements; and
 ``
            (II) goals with respect to 
 greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
 ``
        (B) Basis of availability and use.--Funds for 
 payments under subparagraph
        (A) ''; and
            (ii) in the matter preceding clause
            (i) (as 
 so designated), by striking ``The Secretary'' 
 and inserting the following:
 ``
        (A) In general.--The Secretary''; and
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) , by striking ``$37,500,000 for 
 each of fiscal years 2019 through 2031'' and inserting 
 ``$37,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
 2023, and $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 
 through 2033''.

    (2) On-farm conservation innovation trials.--

Section 1240H
            (c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-
 8
            (c) ) is amended--
        (A) in paragraph

    (1)
        (B)
            (i) --
            (i) in subclause
            (II) , by inserting ``on-
 farm nutrient recycling,'' after ``plans,'';
            (ii) in subclause
            (VI) , by striking ``and'' 
 at the end; and
            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (VII) perennial production 
 systems, including agroforestry and 
 perennial forages and grain crops; 
 and''; and
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) , in the matter preceding 
 subparagraph
        (A) , by striking ``2019 through 2031'' and 
 inserting ``2025 through 2027, $50,000,000 of the funds 
 made available to carry out this subchapter for each of 
 fiscal years 2028 and 2029, and $100,000,000 of the 
 funds made available to carry out this subchapter for 
 each of fiscal years 2030 through 2033''.

SEC. 303. CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) 

=== Definitions. ===
-

Section 1240I of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa-21) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (2) --
        (A) in subparagraph
        (A) , by inserting 
 ``enhancements,'' after ``practices,''; and
        (B) in subparagraph
        (B)
            (v) , by inserting ``and 
 climate change'' before the period at the end;

    (2) in paragraph

    (3)
            (C) , by inserting ``maintained, 
 actively'' after ``implemented,'';

    (3) in paragraph

    (5) , in the matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) , by striking ``natural resource concern or problem'' and 
 inserting ``resource concern'';

    (4) by redesignating paragraph

    (7) as paragraph

    (8) ; and

    (5) by inserting after paragraph

    (6) the following:
 ``

    (7) Resource concern.--The term `resource concern' means 
 a natural resource condition of the soil, water, air, plant, 
 animal, or energy resource base that impairs the sustainability 
 or an intended use of the resource.''.

    (b) Conservation Stewardship Program.--

Section 1240J

    (a) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-22

    (a) ) is amended--

    (1) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) , by striking 
 ``2031'' and inserting ``2033''; and

    (2) by striking paragraphs

    (1) and

    (2) and inserting the 
 following:
 ``

    (1) by maintaining, actively managing, and, where 
 practicable, improving existing conservation activities; and
 ``

    (2) by undertaking additional conservation activities.''.
            (c) Stewardship Contracts.--

    (1) Submission of contract offers.--

Section 1240K

    (a)

    (2)
        (B) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-23

    (a)

    (2)
        (B) ) 
 is amended by striking ``improving, maintaining, and managing'' 
 and inserting ``maintaining, actively managing, and, where 
 practicable, improving''.

    (2) Evaluation of contract offers.--

Section 1240K

    (b) of the 
 Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-23

    (b) ) is amended--
        (A) in paragraph

    (1)
        (A) , by striking clause
            (iii) and inserting the following:
 ``
            (iii) other criteria consistent with an 
 equal weighting of the factors described in 
 clauses
            (i) and
            (ii) , as determined by the 
 Secretary, including criteria the Secretary 
 determines are necessary to ensure that--
 ``
            (I) the program effectively 
 targets improvements to soil health, 
 increases in carbon sequestration, and 
 reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; 
 and
 ``
            (II) other national, State, and 
 local priority resource concerns are 
 effectively addressed.''; and
        (B) by striking paragraph

    (3) .

    (3) Contract renewal.--

Section 1240K

    (e) of the Food 
 Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-23

    (e) ) is amended--
        (A) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) , by 
 striking ``may provide the producer an opportunity'' 
 and inserting ``shall guarantee that each producer has 
 an opportunity''; and
        (B) in paragraph

    (3) --
            (i) by striking subparagraph
        (B) ;
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (A) , by striking ``; 
 or'' at the end and inserting ``, if 
 applicable.''; and
            (iii) by striking ``period--'' in the 
 matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) and all that 
 follows through ``to meet'' in subparagraph
        (A) and inserting ``period, to meet''.
            (d) Duties of Secretary.--

    (1) Climate change adaptation and mitigation.--

Section 1240L

    (a)

    (2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-
 24

    (a)

    (2) ) is amended by inserting ``(which may include climate 
 change adaptation and mitigation)'' after ``priority resource 
 concerns''.

    (2) Conservation stewardship payments.--

Section 1240L
            (c) of 
 the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-24
            (c) ) is 
 amended--
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (A) , by inserting ``on 
 1 or more types of eligible land covered by the 
 contract'' after ``activities''; and
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking 
 ``improving, maintaining, and managing'' and 
 inserting ``maintaining, actively managing, and 
 improving'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) --
            (i) by striking subparagraph
        (B) and 
 inserting the following:
 ``
        (B) Income forgone by the producer, including 
 amounts that reflect--
 ``
            (i) increased economic risk; and
 ``
            (ii) loss in revenue due to--
 ``
            (I) production changes;
 ``
            (II) anticipated reductions in 
 yield;
 ``
            (III) transitioning to an 
 organic, resource-conserving cropping 
 or grazing, or perennial production 
 system; or
 ``
            (IV) acreage converted to 
 conservation uses.''; and
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (E) , by striking 
 ``maintained over the term of the contract.'' 
 and inserting the following: ``maintained, 
 actively managed, and, where applicable, 
 improved over the term of the contract, in a 
 manner that ensures that--
 ``
            (i) producers receive payment for 
 maintaining high levels of stewardship 
 essential to addressing priority resource 
 concerns; and
 ``
            (ii) all land uses with sufficiently high 
 levels of stewardship in place receive payment 
 for maintaining that level of stewardship, 
 regardless of additional conservation 
 activities implemented on that land over the 
 contract term.''; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (6) Payments for conservation activities related to 
 organic production systems.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The Secretary shall provide 
 payments under this subsection for conservation 
 activities relating to--
 ``
            (i) organic production; and
 ``
            (ii) transitioning to organic production.
 ``
        (B) Conservation activities.--Conservation 
 activities described in subparagraph
        (A) may include--
 ``
            (i) generally available and specifically 
 tailored conservation activities; and
 ``
            (ii) individual conservation activities 
 and bundles of conservation activities.
 ``

    (7) Minimum payment.--The amount of an annual payment 
 under the program shall be not less than $4,000.''.

    (3) Supplemental payments.--

Section 1240L
            (d) of the Food 
 Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-24
            (d) ) is amended--
        (A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``, 
 Perennial Production Systems,'' after ``Rotations'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) by redesignating subparagraph
            (C) as 
 subparagraph
            (D) ; and
            (ii) by inserting after subparagraph
        (B) the following:
 ``
            (C) Perennial production system.--The term 
 `perennial production system' means--
 ``
            (i) the use of cropland for agroforestry, 
 including alley cropping, silvopasture, and 
 related production practices, as determined by 
 the Secretary;
 ``
            (ii) the use of woodland for 
 agroforestry, including forest farming, 
 multistory cropping, and related production 
 practices, as determined by the Secretary; and
 ``
            (iii) the use of cropland for perennial 
 forages or perennial grain crops.'';
            (C) in paragraph

    (2) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (A) , by striking ``or'' 
 at the end;
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking the 
 period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (C) a perennial production system.''; and
            (D) in paragraph

    (3) , by striking ``or advanced 
 grazing management'' and inserting ``, advanced grazing 
 management, or a perennial production system''.

    (4) Payment for comprehensive conservation plan.--

Section 1240L

    (e)

    (1) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-
 24

    (e)

    (1) ) is amended--
        (A) by striking ``plan that meets'' and inserting 
 the following: ``plan that--
 ``
        (A) meets'';
        (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) with respect to an organic production 
 system--
 ``
            (i) is integrated with an organic system 
 plan approved under the national organic 
 program established under the Organic Foods 
 Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.); 
 or
 ``
            (ii) allows a producer to transition to 
 organic production systems and pursue 
 certification under that Act.''.

    (5) Payment limitations.--

Section 1240L

    (f) of the Food 
 Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-24

    (f) ) is amended--
        (A) by inserting ``(including a joint venture and a 
 general partnership)'' after ``A person or legal 
 entity''; and
        (B) by striking ``fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' 
 and inserting ``any consecutive 5-fiscal-year period''.

    (6) Specialty crop and organic producers.--

Section 1240L

    (g) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-24

    (g) ) is 
 amended by inserting ``, and producers transitioning to organic 
 production systems,'' after ``organic producers''.

    (7) Soil health.--

Section 1240L

    (k) of the Food Security Act 
 of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-24

    (k) ) is amended by striking 
 ``health.'' and inserting the following: ``health, including 
 by--
 ``

    (1) conducting outreach to encourage the use of contracts 
 to improve soil health and sequester carbon in the soil; and
 ``

    (2) offering payments for, and supporting the 
 interpretation of, soil health testing to provide to producers 
 and the Secretary information relating to the soil health and 
 carbon sequestration impacts of conservation activities.''.

    (e) On-Farm Conservation Stewardship Innovation Grants.--Subchapter 
B of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-21 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``

SEC. 1240L-2. ON-FARM CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP INNOVATION GRANTS.

 ``

    (a) In General.--Using funds made available to carry out this 
subchapter, the Secretary shall provide competitive grants to carry out 
on-farm conservation innovation projects on eligible land of program 
participants for the purpose of stimulating innovative approaches on 
farms and ranches to leverage Federal investment in conservation 
stewardship, in conjunction with agricultural production or forest 
resource management, through the program.
 ``

    (b) Participants.--The Secretary shall provide grants under this 
section--
 ``

    (1) directly to agricultural operations, or groups of 
 agricultural operations, participating in the program; or
 ``

    (2) through partnerships between small groups of 
 agricultural operations participating in the program and 
 organizations assisting farmers and ranchers at the local 
 level, including--
 ``
        (A) university researchers or educators;
 ``
        (B) extension agents or specialists;
 ``
            (C) Federal agency field staff;
 ``
            (D) agricultural consultants;
 ``
        (E) State and local agency staff;
 ``
        (F) Tribal agency staff;
 ``
        (G) Federally-Recognized Tribes Extension Program 
 agents; and
 ``
        (H) nonprofit organization staff.
 ``
            (c) Use.--An entity that receives a grant under this section 
directly or through a partnership in accordance with subsection

    (b) shall carry out an on-farm conservation innovation project that--
 ``

    (1) facilitates on-farm research and demonstration or 
 pilot testing of new technologies or innovative conservation 
 systems and practices that aim to reduce greenhouse gas 
 emissions and decarbonize agriculture;
 ``

    (2) facilitates on-farm research and demonstration or 
 pilot testing of practices and systems with a proven high 
 impact for greenhouse gas emissions reduction and 
 decarbonization and low national or regional adoption rates; or
 ``

    (3) helps to prepare program participants for 
 participation in environmental services markets that have as a 
 primary goal greenhouse gas emissions reduction or 
 decarbonization of agriculture.
 ``
            (d) Incentive Payments.--
 ``

    (1) Agreements.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--In carrying out this section, 
 the Secretary shall enter into agreements with 
 agricultural operations (directly or through 
 governmental or nongovernmental organizations involved 
 in a partnership with 1 or more agricultural 
 operations) on the land of which an on-farm 
 conservation innovation project is being carried out 
 under this section to provide payments to the 
 agricultural operations to assist with adopting and 
 evaluating new or innovative conservation approaches to 
 achieve conservation benefits.
 ``
        (B) Amount.--Payments provided under subparagraph
        (A) shall reflect the direct costs of the research and 
 demonstration and compensation for foregone income, as 
 appropriate to address the increased economic risk or 
 lower economic return potentially associated with the 
 applicable innovative conservation approach.
 ``

    (2) Adjusted gross income requirements.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The adjusted gross income 
 requirements under 

section 1001D

    (b)

    (1) shall--
 ``
            (i) apply to producers receiving payments 
 under this subsection; and
 ``
            (ii) be enforced by the Secretary.
 ``
        (B) Reporting.--A governmental or nongovernmental 
 organization participating in an on-farm conservation 
 innovation project under this subsection shall submit 
 to the Secretary an annual report describing the amount 
 of payments that the organization made to each 
 agricultural operation under this subsection.
 ``

    (3) Research, technical assistance, and administrative 
 expenses.--The Secretary may provide to a partnership described 
 in paragraph

    (1)
        (A) not more than $50,000 for each on-farm 
 conservation innovation project for research, technical 
 assistance, and administrative expenses.
 ``

    (4) Length of agreements.--An agreement entered into 
 under paragraph

    (1)
        (A) shall be for a period determined by the 
 Secretary that is--
 ``
        (A) not less than 2 years; and
 ``
        (B) if appropriate, more than 2 years, including 
 if the longer period is appropriate to support--
 ``
            (i) adaptive management over multiple 
 crop years; and
 ``
            (ii) adequate data collection and 
 analysis by an agricultural operation or 
 partnership to report the natural resource and 
 agricultural production benefits of the new or 
 innovative conservation approaches to the 
 Secretary.''.

SEC. 304. STATE ASSISTANCE FOR SOIL HEALTH.

 Chapter 5 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``

SEC. 1240S. STATE ASSISTANCE FOR SOIL HEALTH.

 ``

    (a) Availability and Purpose of Grants.--Using funds made 
available under subsection

    (k) , the Secretary shall make grants to 
States or Tribal governments for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 
to be used by State departments of agriculture or appropriate Tribal 
authorities to develop and implement plans to improve soil health on 
agricultural land.
 ``

    (b) Application.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--A State department of agriculture or 
 Tribal government requesting a grant under this section shall 
 prepare and submit for approval by the Secretary an application 
 at such time, in such a manner, and containing such information 
 as the Secretary shall require, including an assurance that 
 grant funds received under this section shall supplement the 
 expenditure of State or Tribal funds in support of soil health, 
 rather than replace State or Tribal funds for those purposes.
 ``

    (2) Use of funds.--A State or Tribal government may 
 request funds under this section--
 ``
        (A) to develop or modify a State or Tribal soil 
 health plan; or
 ``
        (B) to implement a State or Tribal soil health 
 plan approved by the Secretary under this section, 
 including through--
 ``
            (i) technical assistance;
 ``
            (ii) financial assistance;
 ``
            (iii) on-farm research and demonstration;
 ``
            (iv) education, outreach, and training;
 ``
            (v) monitoring and evaluation; or
 ``
            (vi) such other activities as the 
 Secretary determines to be appropriate.
 ``

    (3) Plan components.--Before approving a State or Tribal 
 soil health plan, the Secretary shall ensure that the plan, at 
 a minimum--
 ``
        (A) is broadly consistent with the soil health 
 principles of the Natural Resources Conservation 
 Service; and
 ``
        (B) identifies effective strategies for 
 increasing adoption of regionally appropriate soil 
 health practices and systems on privately owned 
 agricultural land under the jurisdiction of the 
 applicable State or Tribal government.
 ``

    (4) Eligibility.--A State or Tribal government may--
 ``
        (A) apply for a grant for the purposes described 
 in paragraph

    (2)
        (A) at any time; and
 ``
        (B) apply for a grant for the purposes described 
 in paragraph

    (2)
        (B) on approval by the Secretary of a 
 soil health plan for the State or Tribal government.
 ``
            (c) Tribal Option.--At the sole discretion of a Tribal 
government, an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization shall have the 
option of being incorporated into a State application rather than 
submitting an application for the Indian Tribe or Tribal organization.
 ``
            (d) Grant Amount.--
 ``

    (1) Maximum.--The maximum amount of a grant that any 1 
 State or Tribal government may receive under this section for a 
 fiscal year shall be--
 ``
        (A) in the case of a grant for the purposes 
 described in subsection

    (b)

    (2)
        (A) , $1,000,000; and
 ``
        (B) in the case of a grant for the purposes 
 described in subsection

    (b)

    (2)
        (B) , $5,000,000.
 ``

    (2) Federal share.--
 ``
        (A) Grants to states.--The amount of a grant to a 
 State under this section shall not exceed--
 ``
            (i) 75 percent of the cost of developing 
 or modifying a soil health plan; or
 ``
            (ii) 50 percent of the cost of 
 implementing the soil health plan.
 ``
        (B) Grants to tribes.--The amount of a grant to a 
 Tribal government under this section may cover 100 
 percent of the costs of developing or implementing a 
 soil health plan.
 ``

    (3) Non-federal funds.--A grant under this section shall 
 be provided subject to the condition that the non-Federal share 
 of expenditures under paragraph

    (2) shall be provided by non-
 Federal sources.
 ``

    (e) Grant Term.--A grant under this section--
 ``

    (1) shall be for a term of 1 year; and
 ``

    (2) may be renewed annually, at the discretion of the 
 Secretary.
 ``

    (f) Priority.--In providing grants under this section, the 
Secretary shall give priority to a State or Tribal government with a 
climate action plan that includes soil health, as determined by the 
Secretary.
 ``

    (g) Performance Measures and Evaluation.--
 ``

    (1) Performance measures.--Each application under 
 subsection

    (b) shall include performance measures to be used to 
 evaluate the results of the assistance received under this 
 section.
 ``

    (2) Review.--Each applicable State department of 
 agriculture or Tribal authority shall submit to the Secretary a 
 review and evaluation of the progress of the State department 
 of agriculture or Tribal authority, using the performance 
 measures under paragraph

    (1) , at such intervals as the 
 Secretary shall establish.
 ``

    (h) Effect of Noncompliance.--If the Secretary, after providing 
reasonable notice to a State or Tribal government, determines that the 
State or Tribal government has failed to comply with the terms of a 
grant provided under this section, the Secretary may disqualify, for 1 
or more years, the State or Tribal government from receipt of future 
grants under this section.
 ``
            (i) Audit Requirement.--For each year during which a State or 
Tribal government receives a grant under this section, the State or 
Tribal government shall--
 ``

    (1) conduct an audit of the expenditures of grant funds 
 by the State or Tribal government; and
 ``

    (2) not later than 30 days after the completion of the 
 audit under paragraph

    (1) , submit to the Secretary a copy of 
 the audit.
 ``

    (j) Administration.--
 ``

    (1) Department.--The Secretary may not use more than 3 
 percent of the funds made available to carry out this section 
 for a fiscal year for administrative expenses.
 ``

    (2) States and tribes.--A State or Tribal government 
 receiving a grant under this section may not use more than 7 
 percent of grant funds for a fiscal year for administrative 
 expenses.
 ``

    (k) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, 
the Secretary shall use to make grants under this section--
 ``

    (1) $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027;
 ``

    (2) $80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2028 and 2029; 
 and
 ``

    (3) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2030 and each fiscal 
 year thereafter.''.

SEC. 305. FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) Commodity Credit Corporation.--

    (1) Annual funding.--

Section 1241

    (a) of the Food Security 
 Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841

    (a) ) is amended--
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (A) , by inserting ``, 
 and $17,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 
 2026 through 2030,'' after ``2023''; and
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (B) , by inserting 
 ``and $70,000,000 for the period of fiscal 
 years 2026 through 2030, including not more 
 than $5,000,000 to provide outreach and 
 technical assistance,'' after ``technical 
 assistance,'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (E) , by striking 
 ``and'' at the end;
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (F) , by striking 
 ``2031.'' and inserting ``2025; and''; and
            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
        (G) $700,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 
 through 2033.''; and
            (C) in paragraph

    (3) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (A) --
            (I) in clause
            (iv) , by striking 
 ``and'' at the end;
            (II) in clause
            (v) , by striking 
 ``each of fiscal years 2023 through 
 2031'' and inserting ``fiscal year 
 2025''; and
            (III) by adding at the end the 
 following:
 ``
            (vi) $3,000,000,000 for each of fiscal 
 years 2026 through 2033; and''; and
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (B) --
            (I) in clause
            (iv) , by striking 
 ``and'' at the end;
            (II) in clause
            (v) , by striking 
 ``each of fiscal years 2023 through 
 2031.'' and inserting ``fiscal year 
 2025; and''; and
            (III) by adding at the end the 
 following:
 ``
            (vi) $4,000,000,000 for each of fiscal 
 years 2026 through 2033.''.

    (2) Technical assistance.--

Section 1241
            (c) of the Food 
 Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841
            (c) ) is amended by adding 
 at the end the following:
 ``

    (5) Special initiative.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--Beginning in fiscal year 2025, 
 and each year thereafter through fiscal year 2030, the 
 Secretary shall use for a special technical assistance 
 initiative to assist producers in mitigating and 
 adapting to climate change, of the funds of the 
 Commodity Credit Corporation, an amount equal to not 
 less than 1 percent of Commodity Credit Corporation 
 funds made available for the applicable fiscal year for 
 each of the programs described in subsection

    (a) .
 ``
        (B) Provision of technical assistance.--The 
 Secretary shall provide technical assistance under the 
 special initiative under this paragraph to producers--
 ``
            (i) directly;
 ``
            (ii) 
            (I) through an agreement with a 
 third-party provider (as defined in 

section 1242

    (a) ); or
 ``
            (II) at the option of the producer, 
 through a payment, as determined by the 
 Secretary, to the producer for a third-party 
 provider approved under 

section 1242, if 
 available; or
 ``
            (iii) through a cooperative agreement or 
 contract with--
 ``
            (I) a cooperative extension;
 ``
            (II) a nongovernmental 
 organization; or
 ``
            (III) a State, Tribal, or Federal 
 agency.
 ``
            (C) Underserved producers.--In providing 
 technical assistance under this paragraph, the 
 Secretary shall give priority to producers that are 
 persons described in 

section 1244

    (a)

    (2) .''.

    (3) Assistance to certain farmers or ranchers for 
 conservation access.--

Section 1241

    (h) of the Food Security Act 
 of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841

    (h) ) is amended--
        (A) in paragraph

    (1)
        (B) , by striking 
 ``practicable--'' in the matter preceding clause
            (i) and all that follows through the period at the end of 
 clause
            (ii) and inserting ``practicable, 30 percent to 
 assist beginning farmers or ranchers and socially 
 disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.''; and
        (B) in paragraph

    (4) , by striking ``

section 2501

    (e) '' and all that follows through the period at 
 the end and inserting ``

section 2501

    (a) of the Food, 
 Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 
 U.S.C. 2279

    (a) )) that qualifies under paragraph

    (1)
        (B) .''.

    (b) Delivery of Technical Assistance.--

Section 1242 of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842) is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (a)

    (2) --
        (A) by inserting ``an individual,'' before ``a 
 commercial entity'';
        (B) by striking ``State or local'' and inserting 
 ``State, local, or Tribal''; and
            (C) by striking ``nutrient management planning,'' 
 and inserting ``soil health planning, greenhouse gas 
 emissions reduction planning, nutrient management 
 planning, integrated pest management planning, 
 agroforestry planning, organic transition planning,'';

    (2) in subsection

    (e) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (3)
        (A) --
            (i) by inserting ``individuals,'' before 
 ``commercial entities,''; and
            (ii) by striking ``State or local'' and 
 inserting ``State, local, or Tribal''; and
        (B) in paragraph

    (5) , by inserting ``or organic'' 
 after ``sustainability''; and

    (3) in subsection
            (i) --
        (A) in the subsection heading, by inserting 
 ``Perennial Production System,'' after ``Organic,''; 
 and
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (A) , by striking 
 ``organic'' and inserting ``organic production, 
 perennial production systems''; and
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (B)
            (i) , by striking 
 ``organic, specialty crop production'' and 
 inserting ``organic production, perennial 
 production systems, specialty crop 
 production,''.
            (c) Administrative Requirements for Conservation Programs.--

    (1) Incentives for certain farmers and ranchers and indian 
 tribes.--

Section 1244

    (a)

    (1) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
 (16 U.S.C. 3844

    (a)

    (1) ) is amended--
        (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) , by 
 striking ``incentives'' and inserting ``incentives, 
 including higher payment rates, advance payments, 
 transition payments, and farm infrastructure 
 assistance,'';
        (B) in subparagraph
        (A) , by striking ``and'' at the 
 end; and
            (C) by striking subparagraph
        (B) and inserting the 
 following:
 ``
        (B) to establish a new generation of producers 
 that use the full array of climate-friendly 
 conservation activities that reduce greenhouse gas 
 emissions, increase soil carbon, and improve resilience 
 to weather extremes; and
 ``
            (C) to enhance other long-term environmental 
 goals.''.

    (2) Review and guidance for practice costs and payment 
 rates.--

Section 1244

    (j)

    (1)
        (B) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
 (16 U.S.C. 3844

    (j)

    (1)
        (B) ) is amended--
        (A) in clause
            (ii) , by striking ``and'' at the end;
        (B) in clause
            (iii) , by striking the period at the 
 end and inserting ``; and''; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (iv) accelerates progress in meeting the 
 goals established under title I of the 
 Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025.''.

    (3) Advanced grazing management.--

Section 1244 of the Food 
 Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) is amended by adding at 
 the end the following:
 ``

    (q) Advanced Grazing Management.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--In carrying out any conservation program 
 administered by the Secretary, the Secretary shall encourage 
 advanced grazing management, including management-intensive 
 rotational grazing (as those terms are defined in 

section 1240L
            (d) (1) ).
 ``

    (2) Reservation of funds.--In each of fiscal years 2026 
 through 2030, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
 subsection not less than \2/3\ of any funds available for 
 activities relating to livestock production under conservation 
 programs administered by the Secretary under this title (other 
 than the conservation reserve program established under 
 subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D, except for acres 
 enrolled in that program under 

section 1231
            (d) (2) ).''.
            (d) Environmental Services Markets.--

Section 1245 of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3845) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
 ``

    (f) Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Carbon Sequestration Monitoring 
and Measurement Federal Advisory Committee.--
 ``

    (1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the 
 date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall 
 establish an advisory committee, to be known as the `Greenhouse 
 Gas Emissions and Carbon Sequestration Monitoring and 
 Measurement Federal Advisory Committee' (referred to in this 
 subsection as the `advisory committee').
 ``

    (2) Membership.--The Secretary shall appoint members to 
 the advisory committee that--
 ``
        (A) reflect diversity in gender, age, race, and 
 geography; and
 ``
        (B) include--
 ``
            (i) farmers and ranchers, including 
 farmers and ranchers operating small- and mid-
 sized farms;
 ``
            (ii) organizations representing farmers 
 and ranchers, including organizations 
 representing farmers and ranchers operating 
 small- and mid-sized farms;
 ``
            (iii) scientists;
 ``
            (iv) environmental nonprofit 
 organizations;
 ``
            (v) existing private sector carbon and 
 ecosystem services market development 
 initiatives;
 ``
            (vi) businesses working to reduce 
 greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture in 
 the supply chains of the businesses;
 ``
            (vii) relevant Federal agencies;
 ``
            (viii) Tribal communities; and
 ``
            (ix) State agriculture agencies.
 ``

    (3) Terms.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The term of a member of the 
 advisory committee shall be 3 years.
 ``
        (B) Reappointment.--The Secretary may reappoint a 
 member of the advisory committee for not more than 2 
 consecutive terms.
 ``

    (4) Meetings.--The advisory committee shall meet--
 ``
        (A) not fewer than 4 times during the first year 
 after the advisory committee is established; and
 ``
        (B) not less frequently than twice annually 
 thereafter.
 ``

    (5) Recommendations.--Not later than 1 year after the 
 date on which the advisory committee is established, and 
 periodically thereafter, the advisory committee shall submit to 
 the Secretary recommendations regarding--
 ``
        (A) the feasibility of establishing reliable 
 outcomes-based measurement systems, as described in 
 subsection

    (g) ;
 ``
        (B) existing technology that provides reliable 
 measurement data;
 ``
            (C) with respect to parameters for which existing 
 technology does not provide reliable measurement data, 
 research and technical needs and, as appropriate, goals 
 and plans for that research;
 ``
            (D) standards for data collection and 
 dissemination;
 ``
        (E) farmer data management and privacy;
 ``
        (F) greenhouse gas emissions and soil health 
 inventories and databases, as described in subsection

    (h) ; and
 ``
        (G) criteria for soil health and greenhouse gas 
 emissions reductions incentives, as described in 
 subsection
            (i) .
 ``

    (g) Measurement System.--
 ``

    (1) === Purpose ===
-The Secretary shall evaluate existing 
 outcomes-based measurement systems for recordkeeping, modeling, 
 and measurement of farm-level greenhouse gas emissions and soil 
 carbon sequestration, including measures of soil disturbance, 
 plant diversity, continual living cover, residue management, 
 advanced grazing management, and crop-livestock integration, to 
 determine which of those systems--
 ``
        (A) can be implemented quickly;
 ``
        (B) can improve in accuracy and ease over time;
 ``
            (C) use the best available science and 
 technology;
 ``
            (D) estimate uncertainty; and
 ``
        (E) are cost-effective.
 ``

    (2) Guidance.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
 enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall issue 
 guidance on the outcomes-based measurement systems evaluated 
 under paragraph

    (1) , based on--
 ``
        (A) recommendations from the advisory committee 
 established under subsection

    (f) ; and
 ``
        (B) information from--
 ``
            (i) existing and emerging agroecosystem 
 models;
 ``
            (ii) remote sensing data and analysis;
 ``
            (iii) soil health demonstration trials 
 carried out under 

section 1240H
            (c) (7) ;
 ``
            (iv) existing and emerging public 
 environmental services protocols, measurement 
 systems, and benchmarks, including uncertainty 
 predictions and measurements;
 ``
            (v) field-level measurement, including 
 field-based data collected under 

section 21002

    (a)

    (2) of Public Law 117-169 (7 U.S.C. 
 6936 note; 136 Stat. 2018);
 ``
            (vi) the Conservation Evaluation and 
 Monitoring Activity for the Carbon 
 Sequestration and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation 
 Assessment; and
 ``
            (vii) such other sources as the Secretary 
 determines to be appropriate.
 ``

    (3) Review.--The Secretary, based on recommendations from 
 the advisory committee established under subsection

    (f) , 
 shall--
 ``
        (A) establish and maintain an outcomes-based 
 measurement system in accordance with the guidance 
 issued under paragraph

    (2) when feasible;
 ``
        (B) conduct a periodic review of that system;
 ``
            (C) periodically make any necessary updates to 
 that system; and
 ``
            (D) establish research and development goals and 
 plans, as necessary.
 ``

    (h) Inventory.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date 
 of enactment of this subsection, and every 2 years thereafter, 
 the Secretary, in consultation with the advisory committee 
 established under subsection

    (f) and the Administrator of the 
 Environmental Protection Agency, shall conduct a nationwide 
 soil health and agricultural greenhouse gas emissions inventory 
 that uses the best available science and data to establish 
 expected average performance for soil carbon drawdown and 
 storage and greenhouse gas emissions reduction by primary 
 production type and production region.
 ``

    (2) Database.--Drawing on the field-based data collected 
 under 

section 21002

    (a)

    (2) of Public Law 117-169 (7 U.S.C. 6936 
 note; 136 Stat. 2018), the Secretary shall--
 ``
        (A) establish an accessible and interoperable 
 database for the information collected through the 
 inventory conducted under paragraph

    (1) ; and
 ``
        (B) improve and update that database not less 
 frequently than once every 2 years as new data is 
 collected.
 ``
            (i) Criteria.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
 advisory committee established under subsection

    (f) , shall 
 establish criteria for payments, credits, or other forms of 
 incentives to inform policy established to promote soil carbon 
 sequestration or greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
 ``

    (2) Requirements.--The criteria established under 
 paragraph

    (1) shall--
 ``
        (A) have a documented likelihood to lead to long-
 term net increases in soil carbon sequestration and net 
 reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, according to 
 the best available science;
 ``
        (B) be based in part on environmental impact 
 modeling of the changes of shifting from baseline 
 agricultural practices to new or improved agricultural 
 practices; and
 ``
            (C) be designed to prevent the degradation of 
 other natural resource or environmental conditions.
 ``

    (j) Demonstration Trials.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall periodically review 
 the results from soil health demonstration trials carried out 
 under 

section 1240H
            (c) (7) , and other similar public and private 
 demonstration trials that the Secretary determines to be 
 appropriate, to inform the activities under subsections

    (g) ,

    (h) , and
            (i) .
 ``

    (2) Recommendations.--In submitting reports pursuant to 
 

section 1240H
            (c) (7)
            (C) 
            (ii) , the Secretary shall include any 
 recommendations to Congress for changes or additions to the 
 conservation programs under this Act that the Secretary 
 determines to be appropriate to accelerate net increases in 
 soil carbon sequestration and other improvements in soil 
 health.''.

SEC. 306. CONSERVATION COMPLIANCE.

    (a) 

=== Definitions. ===
-

Section 1201 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3801) is amended--

    (1) by striking the section heading and designation and all 
 that follows through ``

    (a) For purposes of'' in subsection

    (a) and inserting the following:

``

SEC. 1201. DEFINITIONS.

 ``

    (a) In General.--In'';

    (2) in subsection

    (a) --
        (A) in each of paragraphs

    (1) ,

    (5) ,

    (6) ,

    (10) ,

    (12) ,

    (13) ,

    (15) ,

    (20) ,

    (21) ,

    (22) ,

    (24) , and

    (26) , by 
 inserting a paragraph heading, the text of which 
 comprises the term defined in that paragraph;
        (B) in paragraph

    (3) --
            (i) by striking ``highly erodible'' each 
 place it appears; and
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking ``and 
 conservation treatment measures'' and inserting 
 ``crop rotation and cover crop systems, and 
 other relevant soil conservation and soil 
 health management treatment measures'';
            (C) in paragraph

    (4) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (A) , by striking 
 ``and'' at the end;
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (B) --
            (I) by striking ``or a substantial 
 improvement in soil conditions on a 
 field or group of fields containing 
 highly erodible cropland'' and 
 inserting ``and a substantial 
 improvement in soil health conditions 
 (including soil carbon levels) on a 
 field or group of fields containing 
 cropland''; and
            (II) by striking the period at the 
 end and inserting a semicolon; and
            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (C) are designed to achieve, within 5 years of 
 actively applying a conservation plan, a level of 
 erosion not to exceed twice the soil loss tolerance 
 level; and
 ``
            (D) are designed to effectively prevent the 
 formation of new, or treat all existing, ephemeral 
 gullies.'';
            (D) in paragraph

    (7) --
            (i) by striking ``

    (7)
        (A) The term'' and 
 inserting the following:
 ``

    (7) Converted wetland.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The term'';
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (A) , by indenting 
 clauses
            (i) and
            (ii) , and subclauses
            (I) and
            (II) of clause
            (ii) , appropriately; and
            (iii) in subparagraph
        (B) --
            (I) by striking ``
        (B) Wetland shall 
 not be considered'' and inserting the 
 following:
 ``
        (B) Exclusions.--For purposes of this paragraph, 
 a wetland shall not be considered to be''; and
            (II) by indenting clauses
            (i) and
            (ii) appropriately;
        (E) in paragraph

    (11) --
            (i) by striking ``

    (11)
        (A) The term'' and 
 inserting the following:
 ``

    (11) Highly erodible land.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The term'';
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (A) --
            (I) by indenting clauses
            (i) and
            (ii) appropriately; and
            (II) in clause
            (ii) , by striking 
 ``excessive average annual rate of 
 erosion in relation to'' and inserting 
 ``average annual rate of erosion 
 exceeding twice''; and
            (iii) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking 
 ``
        (B) For purposes'' and inserting the 
 following:
 ``
        (B) Land capability class and rate of erosion 
 determinations.--For purposes'';
        (F) by striking paragraph

    (14) and inserting the 
 following:
 ``

    (14) Indian tribe; indian tribe.--The terms `Indian 
 tribe' and `Indian Tribe' have the meanings given those terms 
 in 

section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
 Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).'';
        (G) in paragraph

    (23) , by striking ``

    (e)

    (2) '' each 
 place it appears and inserting ``

    (a) ''; and
        (H) in paragraph

    (27) --
            (i) by redesignating subparagraphs
        (A) through
            (C) as clauses
            (i) through
            (iii) , 
 respectively, and indenting the clauses 
 appropriately;
            (ii) in clause
            (iii) (as so redesignated), 
 in the second sentence, by striking ``For 
 purposes of this Act, and any other Act, this 
 term shall not include lands in'' and inserting 
 the following:
 ``
        (B) Exclusion.--In this Act, the term `wetland' 
 does not include any land in the State of''; and
            (iii) by striking the paragraph designation 
 and all that follows through ``The term'' in 
 the matter preceding clause
            (i) (as so 
 redesignated) and inserting the following:
 ``

    (27) Wetland.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The term''; and

    (3) in subsection

    (b) , by striking ``

    (b) The'' and 
 inserting the following:
 ``

    (b) Criteria and List Relating to Hydric Soils and Hydrophytic 
Vegetation.--The''.

    (b) Cropland Conservation.--

    (1) Program ineligibility.--

Section 1211 of the Food 
 Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811) is amended--
        (A) in subsection

    (a) --
            (i) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) , 
 by striking ``produces an agricultural 
 commodity'' and all that follows through ``as 
 determined by the Secretary'' and inserting 
 ``carries out an activity described in 
 subsection

    (b) , as determined by the 
 Secretary,''; and
            (ii) in paragraph

    (1)
            (D) , by inserting 
 ``cropland or'' before ``highly erodible 
 land'';
        (B) in subsection

    (b) , by striking the subsection 
 designation and heading and all that follows through 
 ``The Secretary'' and inserting the following:
 ``
            (c) Authority of Secretary.--The Secretary''; and
            (C) by inserting after subsection

    (a) the 
 following:
 ``

    (b) Description of Activities.--The activities referred to in 
subsection

    (a) are--
 ``

    (1) the production of an agricultural commodity on a 
 field on which cropland is predominant;
 ``

    (2) the designation of land on which cropland is 
 predominant to be set aside, diverted, devoted to conservation 
 uses, or otherwise not cultivated under a program administered 
 by the Secretary to reduce production of an agricultural 
 commodity; and
 ``

    (3) the production of an agricultural commodity without 
 having in place a conservation plan.''.

    (2) Exemptions.--

Section 1212 of the Food Security Act of 
 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3812) is amended--
        (A) in subsection

    (a) --
            (i) in paragraph

    (3) --
            (I) in the third sentence, by 
 striking ``If the person's conservation 
 plan'' and inserting the following:
 ``
        (B) Conservation plans requiring construction.--
 If the conservation plan of a person under this 
 paragraph''; and
            (II) by striking the paragraph 
 designation and all that follows 
 through ``other highly erodible'' in 
 the second sentence of the matter 
 preceding subparagraph
        (B) (as so 
 designated) and inserting the 
 following:
 ``

    (3) Cropland subject to certain other contracts.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--A person that owns or operates 
 cropland that was the subject of a contract entered 
 into under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D 
 shall be required to apply a conservation plan 
 established under this subtitle consistent with the 
 standard applied to other''; and
            (ii) in paragraph

    (4) , by striking ``

    (4) On 
 the'' and inserting the following:
 ``
            (C) Expiration of other contract.--On the'';
        (B) in subsection
            (c) --
            (i) by striking ``Soil Conservation'' each 
 place it appears and inserting ``Natural 
 Resources Conservation'';
            (ii) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) --
            (I) by striking ``
            (c) No'' and 
 inserting the following:
 ``
            (c) Ineligibility for Certain Loans and Payments.--No''; and
            (II) by striking ``hereafter in 
 this subsection referred to'' and 
 inserting ``referred to in this 
 subsection''; and
            (iii) in paragraph

    (1) , by striking 
 ``highly erodible land'' each place it appears 
 and inserting ``cropland''; and
            (C) in subsection

    (f)

    (4)
        (A) --
            (i) in clause
            (i) , by striking ``highly 
 erodible''; and
            (ii) in clause
            (ii) 
            (II) , by inserting ``and 
 soil health'' after ``erosion control''.

    (3) Conforming amendment.--Subtitle B of title XII of the 
 Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811 et seq.) is amended, 
 in the subtitle heading, by striking ``Highly Erodible Land'' 
 and inserting ``Cropland''.

SEC. 307. NATIONAL AND REGIONAL AGROFORESTRY CENTERS.

 

Section 1243 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 1642 note; Public Law 101-624) is amended--

    (1) by redesignating subsections

    (b) ,
            (c) , and
            (d) as 
 subsections
            (c) ,
            (d) , and

    (f) , respectively;

    (2) by striking the section designation and heading and all 
 that follows through the end of subsection

    (a) and inserting 
 the following:

``

SEC. 1243. NATIONAL AND REGIONAL AGROFORESTRY CENTERS.

 ``

    (a) 

=== Definitions. ===
-In this section:
 ``

    (1) Agroforestry.--The term `agroforestry' means a 
 management system that intentionally integrates trees and 
 shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to build more 
 profitable and weather-resilient farms, ranches, and 
 communities, address natural resource concerns and conservation 
 needs, and establish productive and sustainable land use 
 practices, including--
 ``
        (A) riparian forest buffers and managed 
 waterbreaks;
 ``
        (B) alley cropping;
 ``
            (C) silvopasture;
 ``
            (D) forest farming and multistory cropping; and
 ``
        (E) windbreaks, shelterbelts, hedgerows, field 
 borders, and living snow fences.
 ``

    (2) Center.--The term `Center' means, as applicable--
 ``
        (A) the National Agroforestry Research, 
 Development, and Demonstration Center established under 
 subsection

    (b)

    (1)
        (A) ; and
 ``
        (B) any additional regional agroforestry center 
 established under subsection

    (b)

    (1)
        (B) .
 ``

    (3) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
 of Agriculture.
 ``

    (b) National and Regional Agroforestry Centers.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish--
 ``
        (A) at the Forestry Sciences Laboratory of the 
 Forest Service, in Lincoln, Nebraska, a National 
 Agroforestry Research, Development, and Demonstration 
 Center; and
 ``
        (B) acting through the Chief of the Forest 
 Service and in cooperation with the Natural Resources 
 Conservation Service, not fewer than 3 additional 
 regional agroforestry centers at other locations, as 
 determined by the Secretary.
 ``

    (2) National and regional directors.--The Secretary shall 
 appoint a National Director and Regional Directors to manage 
 and coordinate the program established under subsection
            (c) .'';

    (3) in subsection
            (c) (as so redesignated)--
        (A) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) by striking ``Center'' and inserting 
 ``Centers'';
            (ii) by inserting ``and organizations'' 
 after ``nonprofit foundations''; and
            (iii) by striking ``surveys to'' and 
 inserting ``surveys'';
        (B) in each of paragraphs

    (1) through

    (11) , by 
 inserting ``to'' after the paragraph designation;
            (C) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) by striking ``on semiarid lands that'' 
 and inserting ``that build soil health and''; 
 and
            (ii) by inserting ``, including 
 agroforestry systems on semiarid land and other 
 fragile agroecosystems in which restoration of 
 permanent woody perennial plant communities 
 will enhance carbon sequestration and reduce 
 greenhouse gas emissions'' before the 
 semicolon;
            (D) in paragraph

    (3) , by striking ``forestry 
 products for commercial sale from semiarid land'' and 
 inserting ``agroforestry products for commercial 
 sale'';
        (E) in paragraph

    (4) --
            (i) by striking ``in semiarid regions''; 
 and
            (ii) by striking ``the Great Plains 
 region'' and inserting ``particular regions'';
        (F) in paragraph

    (5) , by inserting ``technical 
 assistance and'' before ``technology'';
        (G) by striking paragraph

    (6) and inserting the 
 following:
 ``

    (6) to develop improved silvopasture, alley cropping, 
 forest farming, multistory cropping, riparian buffer, windbreak 
 and shelterbelt, and other perennial production and 
 conservation systems and technologies to improve soil health, 
 carbon sequestration, drought preparedness, soil and water 
 conservation, environmental quality, and biological 
 diversity;'';
        (H) in paragraph

    (7) , by striking ``on semiarid 
 lands'';
            (I) in paragraph

    (8) , by striking ``on semiarid 
 lands worldwide'' and inserting ``worldwide, including 
 on semiarid land''; and
        (J) in paragraph

    (9) --
            (i) by striking ``on semiarid lands''; and
            (ii) by inserting ``and climate change'' 
 after ``pollution'';

    (4) in subsection
            (d) (as so redesignated)--
        (A) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) by striking ``Center'' and inserting 
 ``Centers''; and
            (ii) by striking ``known as the National 
 Clearinghouse on Agroforestry Conservation and 
 Promotion to'' and inserting ``known as the 
 `National Clearinghouse on Agroforestry 
 Conservation and Promotion''';
        (B) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) by inserting ``to'' after the paragraph 
 designation; and
            (ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (C) in paragraph

    (2) --
            (i) by inserting ``to'' after the paragraph 
 designation; and
            (ii) by striking the period at the end and 
 inserting ``; and''; and
            (D) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (3) to facilitate agroforestry adoption by disseminating 
 comprehensive information on Federal, State, local, and Tribal 
 programs that provide support for agroforestry.'';

    (5) by inserting after subsection
            (d) (as so redesignated) 
 the following:
 ``

    (e) Grants.--The Secretary may establish regional grant programs 
at each of the Centers to support agroforestry projects, including 
demonstration farms.''; and

    (6) in subsection

    (f) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
 ``, and $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 
 2030,'' after ``through 2023''.

 TITLE IV--FARMLAND PRESERVATION AND FARM VIABILITY

SEC. 401. LOCAL AGRICULTURE MARKET PROGRAM.

 

Section 210A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 
1627c) is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (a)

    (12)
        (A) --
        (A) by redesignating clauses
            (iv) and
            (v) as 
 clauses
            (vi) and
            (vii) , respectively; and
        (B) by inserting after clause
            (iii) the following:
 ``
            (iv) is produced and marketed in a manner that 
 significantly improves soil health and carbon 
 sequestration or significantly reduces greenhouse gas 
 emissions;
 ``
            (v) when added to the crop or grazing rotation on 
 a farm, will significantly improve soil health and 
 carbon sequestration or significantly reduce greenhouse 
 gas emissions;'';

    (2) in subsection

    (b) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking 
 ``and'' at the end;
            (ii) in subparagraph
            (C) , by striking the 
 semicolon at the end and inserting ``, 
 including value-added agricultural products 
 from crops or animals that, when added into 
 crop or grazing rotations on a farm, will 
 significantly improve soil health and carbon 
 sequestration or significantly reduce 
 greenhouse gas emissions; and''; and
            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (D) markets for agricultural commodities and 
 products produced in a manner that significantly 
 improve soil health and carbon sequestration or 
 significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions;'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (3) --
            (i) by striking ``and local'' and inserting 
 ``, local''; and
            (ii) by inserting ``, and production and 
 marketing approaches to significantly improve 
 soil health and carbon sequestration or 
 significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions'' 
 before the semicolon at the end;
            (C) in paragraph

    (5) , by striking ``and'' at the 
 end;
            (D) by redesignating paragraph

    (6) as paragraph

    (7) ; and
        (E) by inserting after paragraph

    (5) the following:
 ``

    (6) enhances the economic viability of producers and 
 related agricultural enterprises; and'';

    (3) in subsection
            (d) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) by striking ``subsection
            (i) '' and 
 inserting ``subsection

    (j) ''; and
            (ii) by striking ``2023'' and inserting 
 ``2030'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) --
            (i) in subparagraph
            (C) --
            (I) in clause
            (i) , by striking 
 ``and'' at the end;
            (II) in clause
            (ii) , by adding 
 ``and'' at the end; and
            (III) by adding at the end the 
 following:
 ``
            (iii) agricultural commodities and 
 products that are produced and marketed in a 
 manner that--
 ``
            (I) significantly improves soil 
 health and carbon sequestration or 
 significantly reduces greenhouse gas 
 emissions; or
 ``
            (II) when added to a crop or 
 grazing rotation on a farm will 
 significantly improve soil health and 
 carbon sequestration or significantly 
 reduce greenhouse gas emissions;''; and
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (F) , by striking 
 ``producers of local food products and value-
 added agricultural products in new and existing 
 markets'' and inserting the following: 
 ``producers of--
 ``
            (i) local food products;
 ``
            (ii) value-added agricultural products in 
 new and existing markets; and
 ``
            (iii) agricultural commodities and 
 products that are produced in a manner that--
 ``
            (I) enhances soil health and 
 carbon sequestration or significantly 
 reduces greenhouse gas emissions; or
 ``
            (II) when added to a crop or 
 grazing rotation on a farm, will 
 significantly improve soil health and 
 carbon sequestration or significantly 
 reduce greenhouse gas emissions;''; and
            (C) in paragraph

    (5)
        (A) , by inserting ``and the 
 Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service'' 
 before the period at the end;

    (4) in subsection

    (e)

    (2)
        (A) --
        (A) by striking ``subsection
            (i) '' and inserting 
 ``subsection

    (j) ''; and
        (B) by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2030'';

    (5) by redesignating subsections

    (f) ,

    (g) ,

    (h) , and
            (i) as 
 subsections

    (g) ,

    (h) ,
            (i) , and

    (j) , respectively;

    (6) by inserting after subsection

    (e) the following:
 ``

    (f) Farm Viability and Local Climate Resiliency Centers.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
 Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service and in 
 coordination with the Administrator of the Rural Business-
 Cooperative Service and the Chief of the Natural Resources 
 Conservation Service, shall provide grants to eligible entities 
 described in paragraph

    (2) to serve as farm viability and local 
 climate resiliency centers (referred to in this section as 
 `centers') to support--
 ``
        (A) efforts to enhance farm viability; and
 ``
        (B) the development, coordination, and expansion 
 of markets for commodities and farm products that 
 significantly improve soil health and carbon 
 sequestration or significantly reduce greenhouse gas 
 emissions.
 ``

    (2) Eligible entities.--An entity is eligible to receive 
 a grant under this subsection if the entity is--
 ``
        (A) an agricultural cooperative or other 
 agricultural business entity or a producer network or 
 association;
 ``
        (B) a local, State, or Tribal government;
 ``
            (C) a nonprofit corporation;
 ``
            (D) a public benefit corporation;
 ``
        (E) an economic development corporation;
 ``
        (F) an institution of higher education; or
 ``
        (G) such other entity as the Secretary may 
 designate.
 ``

    (3) Use of funds.--An eligible entity receiving a grant 
 under this subsection shall use grant funds to provide to 
 entities described in subsection
            (d) (5)
        (B) --
 ``
        (A) assistance for the development of business 
 plans and feasibility studies;
 ``
        (B) assistance in developing marketing strategies 
 for--
 ``
            (i) local products; and
 ``
            (ii) value-added agricultural products in 
 new and existing markets;
 ``
            (C) assistance in enterprise development for the 
 processing, aggregation, distribution, and storage of--
 ``
            (i) local and regional food products that 
 are marketed locally or regionally; and
 ``
            (ii) value-added agricultural products;
 ``
            (D) assistance relating to finances and 
 recordkeeping;
 ``
        (E) assistance relating to enterprise and 
 business management;
 ``
        (F) assistance relating to ownership succession 
 planning;
 ``
        (G) outreach and assistance in the adoption of 
 farming practices that enhance soil health and carbon 
 sequestration or significantly reduce greenhouse gas 
 emissions;
 ``
        (H) outreach regarding assistance available under 
 subsection
            (d) ;
 ``
            (I) outreach regarding assistance available 
 through other programs administered by any other 
 Federal agency that supports the adoption of farming 
 practices that enhance soil health and carbon 
 sequestration or significantly reduce greenhouse gas 
 emissions; or
 ``
        (J) at the request of the entity described in 
 subsection
            (d) (5)
        (B) , assistance in applying for a 
 grant under subsection
            (d) , including acting on behalf 
 of the entity in applying for the grant.
 ``

    (4) Geographic diversity.--To the maximum extent 
 practicable, the Secretary shall ensure geographic diversity in 
 selecting eligible entities to receive a grant under this 
 subsection.
 ``

    (5) Non-federal share.--An entity receiving a grant under 
 this subsection shall provide funding in an amount equal to not 
 less than 25 percent of the total amount of the Federal portion 
 of the grant.
 ``

    (6) Applications.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a 
 grant under this subsection, an eligible entity shall 
 submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in 
 such manner, and containing such information as the 
 Secretary considers to be necessary to evaluate and 
 select applications.
 ``
        (B) Competitive process.--The Secretary--
 ``
            (i) shall conduct a competitive process 
 to select applications submitted under 
 subparagraph
        (A) ;
 ``
            (ii) may assess and rank applications 
 with similar proposals as a group; and
 ``
            (iii) shall, prior to accepting 
 applications under that subparagraph, make 
 public the criteria to be used in evaluating 
 the applications.
 ``

    (7) Priority.--The Secretary may give priority to 
 applications submitted under paragraph

    (6)
        (A) that include--
 ``
        (A) plans to use funds for 3 or more of purposes 
 described in paragraph

    (3) ; or
 ``
        (B) activities relating to improving the use and 
 expanded adoption of farming practices that enhance 
 soil health and carbon sequestration or significantly 
 reduce greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously 
 improving farm viability.
 ``

    (8) Administrative expenses.--An entity receiving a grant 
 under this subsection may use not more than 4 percent of the 
 funds received through the grant for administrative 
 expenses.'';

    (7) in subsection
            (i) (1) (as so redesignated), in the 
 matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) , by striking ``subsection
            (i) (3)
        (E) '' and inserting ``subsection

    (j)

    (3)
        (E) ''; and

    (8) in subsection

    (j) (as so redesignated)--
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) , by striking ``fiscal year 
 2019'' and inserting ``each of fiscal years 2019 
 through 2025 and $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2026'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (3) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (A)
            (i) , by striking 
 ``35'' and inserting ``36''; and
            (ii) by striking subparagraph
        (B) and 
 inserting the following:
 ``
        (B) Farmers' market and local food promotion 
 grants.--
 ``
            (i) In general.--Of the funds made 
 available to carry out this section for a 
 fiscal year, 36 percent shall be used for 
 grants under subsection
            (d) (6) .
 ``
            (ii) Allocation among subprograms.--Of 
 the funds made available for grants under 
 subsection
            (d) (6) for a fiscal year--
 ``
            (I) 40 percent shall be made 
 available for farmers' market promotion 
 grants; and
 ``
            (II) 60 percent shall be made 
 available for local food promotion 
 grants.'';
            (C) by redesignating subparagraphs
            (D) and
        (E) as 
 subparagraphs
        (E) and
        (F) , respectively;
            (D) by inserting after subparagraph
            (C) the 
 following:
 ``
            (D) Farm viability and local climate 
 resiliency.--Of the funds made available to carry out 
 this section for a fiscal year, 10 percent shall be 
 used to provide grants under subsection

    (f) .''; and
        (E) in subparagraph
        (E) (as so redesignated), in 
 the matter preceding clause
            (i) , by striking ``or
            (C) '' 
 and inserting ``
            (C) , or
            (D) ''.

SEC. 402. NATIONAL ORGANIC CERTIFICATION COST-SHARE PROGRAM.

    (a) Federal Share.--

Section 10606

    (b)

    (2) of the Farm Security and 
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 6523

    (b)

    (2) ) is amended by 
striking ``$750'' and inserting ``$1,500''.

    (b) Mandatory Funding.--

Section 10606
            (d) (1) of the Farm Security 
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 6523
            (d) (1) ) is amended by 
striking ``shall make available'' in the matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) and all that follows through the period at the end of subparagraph
            (C) and inserting ``shall use such sums as are necessary to carry out 
this section.''.

SEC. 403. FARMLAND PROTECTION POLICY ACT.

    (a) Findings, Purpose, and 

=== Definitions. ===
-

Section 1540 of the 
Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (7 U.S.C. 4201) is amended--

    (1) by striking the section heading and designation and all 
 that follows through ``

    (a) Congress'' in subsection

    (a) and 
 inserting the following:

``

SEC. 1540. FINDINGS, PURPOSE, AND DEFINITIONS.

 ``

    (a) 

=== Findings ===
-Congress'';

    (2) in subsection

    (a) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) , by striking ``the Nation's'' 
 and inserting ``United States'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) , by striking ``amount of the 
 Nation's'' and inserting ``quantity of United States'';
            (C) in paragraph

    (3) , by striking ``Nation's'' and 
 inserting ``United States'';
            (D) by redesignating paragraphs

    (4) through

    (7) as 
 paragraphs

    (5) through

    (8) , respectively; and
        (E) by inserting after paragraph

    (3) the following:
 ``

    (4) United States farmland is a vital source of 
 environmental services, such as carbon sequestration;'';

    (3) in subsection

    (b) --
        (A) by striking ``

    (b) The'' and inserting the 
 following:
 ``

    (b) 

=== Purpose ===
-The'';
        (B) by striking ``assure'' and inserting 
 ``ensure''; and
            (C) by inserting ``Tribal,'' after ``State,''; and

    (4) in subsection
            (c) --
        (A) in each of paragraphs

    (2) and

    (3) , by striking 
 the semicolon at the end of the paragraph and inserting 
 a period;
        (B) in each of paragraphs

    (2) ,

    (3) , and

    (5) --
            (i) by inserting a paragraph heading, the 
 text of which comprises the term defined in the 
 paragraph; and
            (ii) by striking ``the term'' and inserting 
 ``The term'';
            (C) by redesignating paragraphs

    (2) ,

    (3) , and

    (5) as paragraphs

    (7) ,

    (8) , and

    (6) , respectively, and 
 moving all paragraphs so as to appear in numerical 
 order;
            (D) in paragraph

    (1) , by redesignating 
 subparagraphs
        (A) through
            (C) as subparagraphs
        (B) through
            (D) , respectively;
        (E) by striking the subsection designation and all 
 that follows through ``defined as follows:'' in the 
 matter preceding subparagraph
        (B) of paragraph

    (1) (as 
 so redesignated) and inserting the following:
 ``
            (c) === Definitions. ===
-In this subtitle:
 ``

    (1) Conversion.--The term `conversion' means--
 ``
        (A) the physical conversion of farmland to a 
 nonagricultural use;
 ``
        (B) the effective conversion of farmland as a 
 consequence of physical conversion of adjacent 
 farmland, which threatens the continued viability of 
 the land for agricultural use; and
 ``
            (C) a change in management of federally owned 
 land historically used for agriculture to a 
 nonagricultural use.
 ``

    (2) Farmland.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The term `farmland' includes--
 ``
            (i) prime farmland described in 
 subparagraph
        (B) ;
 ``
            (ii) unique farmland described in 
 subparagraph
            (C) ; and
 ``
            (iii) farmland of statewide or local 
 importance described in subparagraph
            (D) .'';
        (F) in paragraph

    (2) (as so redesignated)--
            (i) in subparagraph
        (B) (as redesignated by 
 subparagraph
            (D) )--
            (I) by striking the subparagraph 
 designation and all that follows 
 through ``is land'' in the first 
 sentence and inserting the following:
 ``
        (B) Prime farmland.--For purposes of subparagraph
        (A)
            (i) , prime farmland--
 ``
            (i) means land'';
            (II) in clause
            (i) (as so 
 designated), by striking ``the 
 Secretary. Prime farmland includes land 
 that possesses the above 
 characteristics'' and inserting the 
 following: ``the Secretary;
 ``
            (ii) includes land that possesses the 
 characteristics described in clause
            (i) '';
            (III) in clause
            (ii) (as so 
 designated), by striking ``timber. It 
 does not include'' and inserting the 
 following: ``timber; and
 ``
            (iii) does not include''; and
            (IV) in clause
            (iii) (as so 
 designated), by striking the semicolon 
 at the end and inserting a period;
            (ii) in subparagraph
            (C) (as redesignated 
 by subparagraph
            (D) )--
            (I) by striking the subparagraph 
 designation and all that follows 
 through ``that is used for'' in the 
 first sentence and inserting the 
 following:
 ``
            (C) Unique farmland.--
 ``
            (i) In general.--For purposes of 
 subparagraph
        (A)
            (ii) , unique farmland means 
 land other than prime farmland that--
 ``
            (I) is suitable for'';
            (II) in clause
            (i) (as so 
 designated)--

    (aa) in subclause
            (I) (as 
 so designated), by striking 
 ``the Secretary. It has'' and 
 inserting the following: ``the 
 Secretary; and
 ``
            (II) has''; and

    (bb) in subclause
            (II) (as 
 so designated), in the second 
 sentence, by striking 
 ``Examples of such crops'' and 
 inserting the following:
 ``
            (ii) Crops described.--The crops referred 
 to in clause
            (i) ''; and
            (III) in clause
            (ii) (as so 
 designated), by striking ``; and'' at 
 the end and inserting a period; and
            (iii) in subparagraph
            (D) (as redesignated 
 by subparagraph
            (D) )--
            (I) by striking the subparagraph 
 designation and all that follows 
 through ``farmland, other'' and 
 inserting the following:
 ``
            (D) Farmland of statewide or local importance.--
 The farmland referred to in subparagraph
        (A)
            (iii) is 
 farmland, other'';
            (II) by inserting ``and is 
 suitable'' after ``local importance''; 
 and
            (III) by striking the semicolon at 
 the end and inserting a period;
        (G) by inserting after paragraph

    (2) (as so 
 redesignated) the following:
 ``

    (3) Farmland of national significance.--The term 
 `farmland of national significance' means farmland that is the 
 most suitable for intensive crop and food production, as 
 determined by the Secretary, taking into consideration, among 
 other factors, the physical and chemical characteristics of the 
 farmland.'';
        (H) in paragraph

    (4) --
            (i) in the first sentence--
            (I) by striking ``involve
        (A) undertaking'' and inserting the 
 following: ``involve--
 ``
            (i) undertaking''; and
            (II) in clause
            (i) (as so 
 designated), by striking ``
        (B) acquiring'' and inserting the 
 following:
 ``
            (ii) acquiring'';
            (ii) in clause
            (ii) (as so designated), in 
 the second sentence--
            (I) by striking ``; and'' at the 
 end and inserting a period; and
            (II) by striking ``The term'' and 
 inserting the following:
 ``
        (B) Exclusions.--The term''; and
            (iii) by striking the paragraph designation 
 and all that follows through ``those'' in the 
 matter preceding clause
            (i) (as so designated) 
 and inserting the following:
 ``

    (4) Federal program.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The term `Federal program' means 
 any''; and
            (I) by inserting after paragraph

    (4) the following:
 ``

    (5) Permanently protected farmland.--The term 
 `permanently protected farmland' means farmland encumbered by a 
 conservation easement that is--
 ``
        (A) held by the Federal Government, a State or 
 Tribal government, a unit of local government, or a 
 land conservation organization; and
 ``
        (B) for a term that is--
 ``
            (i) perpetual; or
 ``
            (ii) the maximum number of years allowed 
 by State law.''.

    (b) Farmland Protection 

=== Policy ===
-

Section 1541 of the Agriculture 
and Food Act of 1981 (7 U.S.C. 4202) is amended to read as follows:

``

SEC. 1541. FARMLAND PROTECTION POLICY.

 ``

    (a) In General.--It is the policy of the United States that 
Federal programs--
 ``

    (1) shall minimize the conversion of farmland to 
 nonagricultural uses; and
 ``

    (2) subject to subsection
            (d) , shall not convert to 
 nonagricultural uses farmland that--
 ``
        (A) is permanently protected farmland;
 ``
        (B) has been defined and delineated by the 
 Secretary under subsection

    (b)

    (1) as farmland of 
 national significance; or
 ``
            (C) has been defined and delineated by a State as 
 significant to the State or a priority for inclusion in 
 a State farmland protection program and for which the 
 State has submitted a definition and delineation under 
 subsection

    (b)

    (2) .
 ``

    (b) Definition and Delineation of Land.--
 ``

    (1) National significance.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The Secretary shall define and 
 delineate farmland of national significance.
 ``
        (B) Experts.--The Secretary shall convene a group 
 of experts, including agronomists and soil scientists, 
 to assist the Secretary in carrying out subparagraph
        (A) .
 ``

    (2) State significance.--Any State wishing to have 
 farmland recognized under subsection

    (a)

    (2)
            (C) shall provide to 
 the Secretary a definition and delineation of the farmland.
 ``
            (c) Process and Criteria.--
 ``

    (1) Process and criteria.--The Secretary shall develop a 
 process, including criteria--
 ``
        (A) to determine the potential conversion of 
 farmland as a consequence of any action or activity 
 conducted through a Federal program;
 ``
        (B)
            (i) to minimize the conversion of farmland to 
 nonagricultural uses; or
 ``
            (ii) in the case of farmland identified under 
 subsection

    (a)

    (2) , to avoid conversion of the farmland 
 to nonagricultural uses;
 ``
            (C) to provide to the Secretary notice regarding 
 actions described in subparagraphs
        (A) and
        (B) ; and
 ``
            (D) that the Secretary shall use to make 
 determinations under subsection
            (d) .
 ``

    (2) Use required.--Each department, agency, independent 
 commission, and other unit of the Federal Government shall use 
 the process and criteria developed under paragraph

    (1) in 
 carrying out a Federal program.
 ``
            (d) Exemption.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Subsection

    (a)

    (2) shall not apply if the 
 Secretary determines, based on the process and criteria 
 developed under subsection
            (c) (1) , that converting farmland to 
 nonagricultural uses cannot be avoided.
 ``

    (2) Minimization of conversion.--In a case in which the 
 Secretary makes a determination under paragraph

    (1) , the 
 Federal program shall minimize the conversion of farmland 
 described in subsection

    (a)

    (2) to the maximum extent 
 practicable.
 ``

    (e) Information.--The Secretary may make available to States, 
units of local government, individuals, organizations, and other units 
of the Federal Government information--
 ``

    (1) useful in restoring, maintaining, and improving the 
 quantity and quality of farmland; and
 ``

    (2) concerning the location of permanently protected 
 farmland.
 ``

    (f) Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide assistance to 
departments, agencies, independent commissions, and other units of the 
Federal Government, on request, in using the process and criteria 
developed under subsection
            (c) (1) .''.

SEC. 404. AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM.

 

Section 1265B of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865b) is 
amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (b) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (4)
            (C) 
            (iv) , by striking ``only''; 
 and
        (B) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (6) Condition of assistance.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--As a condition of receiving 
 cost-share assistance under this section, the owner of 
 eligible land shall agree to have in place a 
 conservation plan that addresses applicable resource 
 concerns for the land subject to the easement, 
 including soil health and greenhouse gas emissions 
 reduction, not later than 3 years after the date on 
 which the easement is granted.
 ``
        (B) Bureau of indian affairs.--Subparagraph
        (A) may be satisfied by having in place a conservation plan 
 developed or recognized by the Bureau of Indian 
 Affairs.''; and

    (2) by striking subsection
            (d) and inserting the following:
 ``
            (d) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide technical 
assistance, if requested, to assist in--
 ``

    (1) compliance with the terms and conditions of an 
 easement; and
 ``

    (2) development and implementation of a conservation plan 
 required under subsection

    (b)

    (6) , including, as applicable--
 ``
        (A) a conservation plan for highly erodible land 
 required under subsection

    (b)

    (4)
            (C) 
            (iv) ; and
 ``
        (B) a comprehensive conservation plan developed 
 pursuant to subsection

    (e)

    (1) .
 ``

    (e) Financial Assistance.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--
 ``
        (A) Enrollment in csp.--At the sole option of the 
 owner of the eligible land subject to an easement, the 
 Secretary shall provide for the automatic enrollment of 
 the eligible land subject to the easement in the 
 conservation stewardship program established by 
 subchapter B of chapter 4 of subtitle D, including 
 financial assistance for the development of a 
 comprehensive conservation plan under 

section 1240L

    (e) , 
 if the person or entity farming the eligible land is 
 otherwise eligible for the conservation stewardship 
 program, as determined by the Secretary.
 ``
        (B) Determination of compliance.--In the case of 
 eligible land enrolled in the conservation stewardship 
 program pursuant to subparagraph
        (A) , the Secretary 
 shall have the sole responsibility of determining 
 compliance with the terms of the conservation 
 stewardship program contract.
 ``
            (C) Funding.--Funding received by an eligible 
 entity pursuant to this paragraph shall not be 
 considered in the calculation of costs under subsection

    (b) .
 ``

    (2) Timing.--The owner of the eligible land subject to an 
 easement may exercise the option under paragraph

    (1)
        (A) during 
 the 3-year period beginning on the date on which the easement 
 is granted.''.

 TITLE V--PASTURE-BASED LIVESTOCK

SEC. 501. ANIMAL RAISING CLAIMS.

 The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

 ``Subtitle H--Animal Raising Claims

``

SEC. 298A. DEFINITIONS.

 ``In this subtitle:
 ``

    (1) Animal raising claim.--The term `animal raising 
 claim' means a statement on the labeling of a meat food product 
 or poultry product used in interstate commerce that 
 references--
 ``
        (A) the manner in which the source animal for the 
 meat food product or poultry product was raised, 
 including--
 ``
            (i) production practices that were used, 
 such as living or raising conditions; and
 ``
            (ii) the location or source where the 
 source animal was born, raised, and processed; 
 or
 ``
        (B) the breed of the source animal.
 ``

    (2) Meat food product.--The term `meat food product' has 
 the meaning given the term in 

section 1 of the Federal Meat 
 Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601).
 ``

    (3) Poultry product.--The term `poultry product' has the 
 meaning given the term in 

section 4 of the Poultry Products 
 Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 453).
 ``

    (4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
 of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the 
 Agricultural Marketing Service, in coordination with the 
 Administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service.

``

SEC. 298B. REQUIRED VERIFICATION PROCESS FOR ANIMAL RAISING CLAIMS.

 ``

    (a) 

=== Purpose ===
-The purpose of this section is to facilitate 
marketing, truth in labeling, and new economic opportunities for 
producers and businesses using animal raising claims.
 ``

    (b) Standards and Procedures.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
 enactment of this subtitle, after providing notice and an 
 opportunity to comment, and in a manner consistent with United 
 States obligations under international agreements, the 
 Secretary shall establish--
 ``
        (A) mandatory standards with respect to animal 
 raising claims, including the standards described in 
 paragraph

    (2) ;
 ``
        (B) procedures--
 ``
            (i) to verify an animal raising claim 
 prior to the use in commerce of any meat food 
 product or poultry product bearing that claim; 
 and
 ``
            (ii) that are incorporated seamlessly 
 with the labeling requirements under the 
 Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et 
 seq.) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act 
 (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.); and
 ``
            (C) on-farm and supply chain auditing and 
 verification procedures to ensure the truthfulness of 
 animal raising claims.
 ``

    (2) Standards.--In developing and approving animal 
 raising claim standards under paragraph

    (1)
        (A) , the Secretary 
 shall include standards relating to--
 ``
        (A) diet claims, including claims that the source 
 animal was grass fed, vegetarian fed, or fed no animal 
 byproducts;
 ``
        (B) living and raising condition claims, 
 including claims that the source animal was cage free, 
 free range, or pasture raised;
 ``
            (C) antibiotic and hormone claims, including 
 claims that the source animal was raised without 
 antibiotics, had no hormones added, or was raised 
 without growth promotants;
 ``
            (D) source claims that the source animal can be 
 traced back to its farm of origin from birth to 
 slaughter;
 ``
        (E) age claims;
 ``
        (F) animal welfare claims;
 ``
        (G) environmental stewardship claims, including 
 greenhouse gas reduction and carbon sequestration 
 claims;
 ``
        (H) breed claims; and
 ``
            (I) any other claim that the Secretary determines 
 appropriate.
 ``

    (3) Consistency with other laws.--The Secretary shall 
 ensure consistency between the animal raising claim standards 
 established under this subsection and the Organic Foods 
 Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) and any rules or 
 regulations implementing that Act.
 ``
            (c) Third-Party Certification.--A producer of a meat food product 
or a poultry product may use an animal raising claim that is verified 
by a third party if--
 ``

    (1) the claim is consistent with standards established by 
 the Secretary under subsection

    (b) ; and
 ``

    (2) the procedures used by the third party to verify the 
 claim, and for any subsequent auditing, are equivalent to the 
 verification and auditing procedures established under 
 subsection

    (b)

    (1)
            (C) , as determined by the Secretary.
 ``
            (d) Approval Process.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
Secretary shall require that a producer seeking to make an animal 
raising claim shall submit to the Secretary, prior to using the label 
on the meat food product or poultry product that is the subject of the 
animal raising claim, the following documentation to support the animal 
raising claim:
 ``

    (1) A detailed written description explaining the 
 controls used for ensuring that the animal raising claim is 
 valid, as applicable--
 ``
        (A) from birth to harvest; or
 ``
        (B) for the period of raising referenced in the 
 animal raising claim.
 ``

    (2) A signed and dated document describing the manner in 
 which the source animals were raised.
 ``

    (3) A written description of the product tracing and 
 segregation mechanism used with respect to the applicable meat 
 food product or poultry product from the time of slaughter of 
 the source animal or further processing through the packaging 
 and distribution of the meat food product or poultry product.
 ``

    (4) A written description of the identification, control, 
 and segregation of nonconforming animals or products.
 ``

    (5) In the case of a meat food product or poultry product 
 certified by a third party, a current copy of the third-party 
 certificate.
 ``

    (e) Compliance Requirements.--Beginning on the date that is 3 
years after the date of enactment of this subtitle--
 ``

    (1) a person may sell or label a domestic meat food 
 product or poultry product with an animal raising claim only if 
 the animal raising claim and the meat food product or poultry 
 product is in compliance with the standards established under 
 subsection

    (b) ; and
 ``

    (2) an imported meat food product or poultry product may 
 be sold or labeled with an animal raising claim if, as 
 determined by the Secretary, the animal raising claim and the 
 meat food product or poultry product is in compliance with a 
 verification program that provides safeguards and guidelines 
 that are at least equivalent to the standards established under 
 subsection

    (b) .
 ``

    (f) Violations.--
 ``

    (1) Misuse of label.--Any person that, after notice and 
 an opportunity to be heard, is found by the Secretary to have 
 knowingly sold or labeled any meat food product or poultry 
 product with an animal raising claim in violation of this 
 subtitle, including the standards and procedures established 
 under subsection

    (b) , shall be assessed a civil penalty of not 
 more than $10,000.
 ``

    (2) False statement.--Any person that, after notice and 
 an opportunity to be heard, is found by the Secretary to have 
 made to the Secretary, a Federal or State official, or a third-
 party certifier a false, fraudulent, or fictitious statement, 
 or to have concealed to, hidden from, falsified to, or deceived 
 the Secretary, official, or certifier regarding a material 
 fact, with respect to an animal raising claim subject to the 
 requirements of this subtitle, shall be subject to a penalty 
 described in 

section 1001 of title 18, United States Code.
 ``

    (g) Effect on Other Laws.--Nothing in this section alters the 
authority of the Secretary under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.) or the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 
451 et seq.).

``

SEC. 298C. APPLICABILITY.

 ``This subtitle shall only apply to meat food products and poultry 
products that are subject to labeling requirements under the Federal 
Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) or the Poultry Products 
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.).

``

SEC. 298D. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

 ``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such 
sums as are necessary to carry out this subtitle.''.

SEC. 502. PROCESSING RESILIENCE GRANT PROGRAM.

 Subtitle A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``

SEC. 210B. PROCESSING RESILIENCE GRANT PROGRAM.

 ``

    (a) 

=== Definitions. ===
-In this section:
 ``

    (1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
 ``
        (A) a smaller establishment or very small 
 establishment (as those terms are defined in the final 
 rule entitled `Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and 
 Critical Control Point

    (HACCP) Systems' (61 Fed. Reg. 
 33806 (July 25, 1996)));
 ``
        (B) a slaughtering or processing establishment 
 subject to--
 ``
            (i) a State meat inspection program 
 pursuant to 

section 301 of the Federal Meat 
 Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 661); or
 ``
            (ii) a State poultry product inspection 
 program pursuant to 

section 5 of the Poultry 
 Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 454);
 ``
            (C) a person engaging in custom operations that 
 is exempt from inspection under--
 ``
            (i) section 23 of the Federal Meat 
 Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 623); or
 ``
            (ii) section 15 of the Poultry Products 
 Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 464); and
 ``
            (D) a person seeking--
 ``
            (i) to establish and operate an 
 establishment described in subparagraph
        (A) or
        (B) ; or
 ``
            (ii) to engage in custom operations 
 described in subparagraph
            (C) .
 ``

    (2) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
 of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the 
 Agricultural Marketing Service.
 ``

    (b) Grants.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
 enactment of this section, the Secretary shall award 
 competitive grants to eligible entities for activities to 
 increase resiliency and diversification of the meat processing 
 system, including activities that--
 ``
        (A) support the health and safety of meat and 
 poultry plant employees, suppliers, and customers;
 ``
        (B) support increased processing capacity; and
 ``
            (C) otherwise support the resilience of the small 
 meat and poultry processing sector.
 ``

    (2) Maximum amount.--The maximum amount of a grant 
 awarded under this section shall not exceed $500,000.
 ``

    (3) Duration.--The term of a grant awarded under this 
 section shall not exceed 3 years.
 ``
            (c) Applications.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--An eligible entity desiring a grant 
 under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application 
 at such time, in such manner, and containing such information 
 as the Secretary may require.
 ``

    (2) Applications for small grants.--The Secretary shall 
 establish a separate, simplified application process for 
 eligible entities applying for a grant under this section of 
 not more than $100,000.
 ``

    (3) Requirements.--The Secretary shall ensure that any 
 application for a grant under this section is--
 ``
        (A) simple and practicable;
 ``
        (B) accessible online; and
 ``
            (C) available through local staff of the 
 Department of Agriculture.
 ``

    (4) Notice.--Not later than 14 days before the date on 
 which the Secretary begins to accept applications under 
 paragraph

    (1) , the Secretary shall publish a notice of funding 
 opportunity with respect to the grants available under this 
 section.
 ``

    (5) Reapplication.--If an application of an eligible 
 entity under this subsection is denied by the Secretary, the 
 eligible entity may submit a revised application.
 ``

    (6) Priority.--In reviewing applications submitted under 
 this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to proposals 
 that will--
 ``
        (A) increase farmer and rancher access to animal 
 slaughter options within a 200-mile radius of the 
 location of the farmer or rancher;
 ``
        (B) support an eligible entity described in 
 subsection

    (a)

    (2)
        (A) ; or
 ``
            (C) support an eligible entity that is a business 
 enterprise owned and controlled by socially and 
 economically disadvantaged individuals (as defined in 
 

section 3002 of the State Small Business Credit 
 Initiative Act of 2010 (12 U.S.C. 5701)).
 ``
            (d) Use of Grant.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under 
this section shall use the grant funds to carry out activities in 
support of the purposes described in subsection

    (b)

    (1) , including 
through--
 ``

    (1) the development and issuance of a Hazard Analysis and 
 Critical Control Points plan for the eligible entity, which may 
 be developed by a consultant;
 ``

    (2) the purchase or establishment, as applicable, of 
 facilities, equipment, processes, and operations necessary for 
 the eligible entity to comply with applicable requirements 
 under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
 or the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.);
 ``

    (3) the purchase of cold storage, equipment, or 
 transportation services;
 ``

    (4) the purchase of temperature screening supplies, 
 testing for communicable diseases, disinfectant, sanitation 
 systems, hand washing stations, and other sanitizing supplies;
 ``

    (5) the purchase and decontamination of personal 
 protective equipment;
 ``

    (6) the construction or purchase of humane handling 
 infrastructure, including holding space for livestock prior to 
 slaughter, shade structures, and knock box structures;
 ``

    (7)
        (A) the purchase of software and computer equipment 
 for record keeping, production data, Hazard Analysis and 
 Critical Control Points record review, and facilitation of 
 marketing and sales of products in a manner consistent with the 
 social distancing guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control 
 and Prevention; and
 ``
        (B) the provision of guidelines and training relating to 
 that software and computer equipment;
 ``

    (8) the provision of staff time and training for 
 implementing and monitoring health and safety procedures;
 ``

    (9) the development of a feasibility study or business 
 plan for, or the carrying out of any other activity associated 
 with, establishing or expanding a small meat or poultry 
 processing facility;
 ``

    (10) the purchase of equipment that enables the further 
 use or value-added sale of coproducts or byproducts, such as 
 organs, hides, and other relevant products; and
 ``

    (11) other activities associated with expanding or 
 establishing an eligible entity described in subsection

    (a)

    (2)
        (A) , as determined by the Secretary.
 ``

    (e) Outreach.--During the period beginning on the date on which 
the Secretary publishes the notice under subsection
            (c) (4) and ending 
on the date on which the Secretary begins to accept applications under 
subsection
            (c) (1) , the Secretary shall perform outreach to States and 
eligible entities relating to grants under this section.
 ``

    (f) Federal Share.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph

    (2) , the Federal 
 share of the activities carried out using a grant awarded under 
 this section shall not exceed--
 ``
        (A) 90 percent in the case of a grant in the 
 amount of $100,000 or less; or
 ``
        (B) 75 percent in the case of a grant in an 
 amount greater than $100,000.
 ``

    (2) Fiscal years 2025 and 2026.--An eligible entity 
 awarded a grant under this section during fiscal years 2025 or 
 2026 shall not be required to provide non-Federal matching 
 funds with respect to the grant.
 ``

    (g) Administration.--The promulgation of regulations under, and 
administration of, this section shall be made without regard to--
 ``

    (1) the notice and comment provisions of 

section 553 of 
 title 5, United States Code; and
 ``

    (2) chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly 
 known as the `Paperwork Reduction Act').
 ``

    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $20,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.''.

SEC. 503. CONSERVATION OF PRIVATE GRAZING LAND.

    (a) 

=== Purpose ===
-

Section 1240M

    (a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3839bb

    (a) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (6) , by inserting ``conserving water and'' 
 before ``improving'';

    (2) in paragraph

    (7) , by striking ``and'' at the end;

    (3) in paragraph

    (8) , by striking the period at the end and 
 inserting a semicolon; and

    (4) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (9) conserving and improving soil health and improving 
 grazing system resilience in the face of climate change through 
 advanced grazing management practices; and
 ``

    (10) providing support for producers transitioning from 
 confinement and feedlot systems or continuous grazing to 
 managed grazing-based systems, including support for pasture 
 development and management.''.

    (b) 

=== Definitions. ===
-

Section 1240M

    (b)

    (2) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb

    (b)

    (2) ) is amended by striking ``hay land'' and 
inserting ``perennial hay land, including silvopasture''.
            (c) Private Grazing Land Conservation Assistance.--

Section 1240M
            (c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb
            (c) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (1) --
        (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) , by 
 inserting ``and partnerships described in paragraph

    (2)
        (B) '' after ``local conservation districts'';
        (B) by striking subparagraph
        (B) and inserting the 
 following:
 ``
        (B) planning and implementing regionally 
 appropriate, advanced grazing land management 
 technologies to improve soil health and maximize carbon 
 sequestration;'';
            (C) in subparagraph
            (C) 
            (iv) , by inserting ``through 
 integrated strategies that include rotational and 
 multispecies grazing, integrated pest management, and 
 other ecological practices'' after ``brush encroachment 
 problems'';
            (D) in subparagraph
        (H) , by striking ``and'' at the 
 end;
        (E) in subparagraph
            (I) , by striking the period at 
 the end and inserting ``; and''; and
        (F) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
        (J) assisting producers in transitioning from 
 confinement or feedlot systems or continuous grazing to 
 managed grazing-based systems, including assistance in 
 pasture development and management.''; and

    (2) by striking paragraph

    (2) and inserting the following:
 ``

    (2) Program elements.--
 ``
        (A) Technical assistance and education.--
 Personnel of the Department trained in pasture and 
 range management shall be made available under the 
 program to deliver and coordinate technical assistance 
 and education to owners and managers of private grazing 
 land, including owners and managers interested in 
 developing new or improved pasture or grazing-based 
 systems on the land of the owners and managers, at the 
 request of the owners and managers.
 ``
        (B) Partnerships.--In carrying out the program 
 under this section, the Secretary shall provide 
 research, demonstration, education (including 
 conferences, workshops, field days, and trainings), 
 workforce training, planning, and outreach activities 
 through partnerships with--
 ``
            (i) land-grant colleges and universities 
 (as defined in 

section 1404 of the National 
 Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
 Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103));
 ``
            (ii) nongovernmental organizations; and
 ``
            (iii) Tribal organizations.
 ``
            (C) Cooperative agreements.--
 ``
            (i) In general.--In carrying out the 
 program under this section, the Secretary shall 
 provide funds on a competitive basis for 
 cooperative agreements to regional, State, or 
 local partnerships to use to conduct grazing 
 land research, demonstration, education, 
 workforce training, planning, and outreach 
 projects.
 ``
            (ii) Duration.--Grants made by 
 partnerships under this subparagraph shall be 
 for a period not to exceed 3 years.
 ``
            (iii) Limitation on indirect costs.--A 
 partnership that receives funding under this 
 subparagraph may not use more than 15 percent 
 of the total cost of the project for the 
 indirect costs of carrying out the project.
 ``
            (iv) Priority.--A partnership that 
 receives funding under this subparagraph shall 
 give priority to projects that--
 ``
            (I) focus on sustainable grazing 
 management systems and techniques that 
 assist producers with multiple 
 ecosystem services, including climate 
 change adaptation and mitigation; and
 ``
            (II) involve beginning farmers 
 and ranchers, socially disadvantaged 
 farmers and ranchers, Tribal producers, 
 or new graziers (including State or 
 federally registered 
 apprenticeships).''.
            (d) Grazing Technical Assistance Training.--

Section 1240M of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb) is amended by striking 
subsection
            (d) and inserting the following:
 ``
            (d) Grazing Technical Assistance Training.--In carrying out the 
program under this section, the Secretary shall provide funds to 
establish training programs to foster a new generation of technical 
assistance providers to support advanced grazing management.''.

    (e) Funding.--

Section 1240M of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3839bb) is amended by striking subsection

    (e) and inserting the 
following:
 ``

    (e) Funding.--
 ``

    (1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
 Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
 section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
 ``

    (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
 to be appropriated to carry out this section $60,000,000 for 
 each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
 ``

    (3) Cooperative agreements.--Of the funds made available 
 under paragraphs

    (1) and

    (2) , the Secretary shall use not less 
 than 80 percent to carry out subsection
            (c) (2)
            (C) .
 ``

    (4) Technical assistance training.--Of the funds made 
 available under paragraphs

    (1) and

    (2) , the Secretary shall use 
 not more than 10 percent to carry out subsection
            (d) .''.

SEC. 504. CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM.

    (a) Conservation Reserve.--

Section 1231 of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831) is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (a) , by striking ``the 2023 fiscal year'' 
 and inserting ``fiscal year 2030''; and

    (2) in subsection
            (d) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) , by striking subparagraphs
        (A) through
        (E) and inserting the following:
 ``
        (A) fiscal year 2026, not more than 28,000,000 
 acres;
 ``
        (B) fiscal year 2027, not more than 29,000,000 
 acres;
 ``
            (C) fiscal year 2028, not more than 30,000,000 
 acres;
 ``
            (D) fiscal year 2029, not more than 31,000,000 
 acres; and
 ``
        (E) fiscal year 2030, not more than 32,000,000 
 acres.''; and
        (B) in paragraph

    (2)
        (A) --
            (i) in clause
            (i) , by striking ``and'' at 
 the end;
            (ii) in clause
            (ii) 
            (III) , by striking the 
 period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (iii) the Secretary shall enroll and 
 maintain in the conservation reserve not fewer 
 than 7,000,000 acres of land described in 
 subsection

    (b)

    (3) by September 30, 2028, of 
 which not fewer than 5,000,000 acres shall be 
 reserved for the pilot program established 
 under 

section 1231C
            (c) .''.

    (b) Pilot Programs.--

Section 1231C of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3831c) is amended by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (c) Grassland 30 Contracts.--
 ``

    (1) Enrollment.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a 
 pilot program to enroll land in the conservation 
 reserve program through a 30-year conservation reserve 
 contract (referred to in this subsection as a 
 `Grassland 30 contract') in accordance with this 
 subsection.
 ``
        (B) Inclusion of acreage limitation.--For 
 purposes of applying the limitations described in 
 

section 1231
            (d) (1) , the Secretary shall include acres 
 of land enrolled under this subsection.
 ``

    (2) Eligible land.--Eligible land for enrollment through 
 a Grassland 30 contract--
 ``
        (A) is land that is eligible to be enrolled in 
 the conservation reserve program under the grasslands 
 initiative described in 

section 1231
            (d) (2) ; and
 ``
        (B) shall not be limited to land that is subject 
 to a covered contract (as defined in paragraph

    (3)
        (A) ).
 ``

    (3) Conservation contract election.--
 ``
        (A) Definition of covered contract.--In this 
 paragraph, the term `covered contract' means a contract 
 entered into under this subchapter that--
 ``
            (i) expires on or after the date of 
 enactment of this subsection; and
 ``
            (ii) covers land enrolled in the 
 conservation reserve program under the 
 grasslands initiative described in 

section 1231
            (d) (2) .
 ``
        (B) Expiring contracts.--On the expiration of a 
 covered contract, an owner or operator party to the 
 covered contract shall elect--
 ``
            (i) not to reenroll the land under the 
 contract;
 ``
            (ii) to offer to reenroll the land under 
 the contract if the land remains eligible under 
 the terms in effect as of the date of 
 expiration; or
 ``
            (iii) not to reenroll the land under the 
 contract and to enroll that land through a 
 Grassland 30 contract under this subsection.
 ``
            (C) Unexpired contracts.--Prior to the expiration 
 of a covered contract, an owner or operator party to 
 the covered contract may elect to terminate the 
 contract and to enroll that land through a Grassland 30 
 contract under this subsection.
 ``

    (4) Term.--The term of a Grassland 30 contract shall be 
 30 years.
 ``

    (5) Agreements.--To be eligible to enroll land in the 
 conservation reserve program through a Grassland 30 contract, 
 the owner of the land shall enter into an agreement with the 
 Secretary--
 ``
        (A) to implement a conservation reserve plan 
 developed for the land;
 ``
        (B) to comply with the terms and conditions of 
 the contract and any related agreements; and
 ``
            (C) to temporarily suspend the base history for 
 the land covered by the contract.
 ``

    (6) Conditions and terms.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--A Grassland 30 contract--
 ``
            (i) shall include terms and conditions 
 that promote sustainable grazing systems, 
 protect and enhance soil carbon levels, and are 
 compatible with wildlife habitat conservation, 
 as determined by the Secretary; and
 ``
            (ii) may include any additional provision 
 that the Secretary determines is appropriate to 
 carry out this subsection or facilitate the 
 practical administration of this subsection.
 ``
        (B) Violation.--On the violation of a term or 
 condition of a Grassland 30 contract, the Secretary may 
 require the owner to refund all or part of any payments 
 received by the owner under the conservation reserve 
 program, with interest on the payments, as determined 
 appropriate by the Secretary.
 ``
            (C) Compatible uses.--Land subject to a Grassland 
 30 contract may be used for compatible economic uses, 
 including hunting and fishing, if the use--
 ``
            (i) is specifically permitted by the 
 conservation reserve plan developed for the 
 land; and
 ``
            (ii) is consistent with the long-term 
 protection and enhancement of the conservation 
 resources for which the contract was 
 established.
 ``

    (7) Compensation.--
 ``
        (A) Amount of payments.--The Secretary shall 
 provide payment under this subsection to an owner of 
 land enrolled through a Grassland 30 contract using 30 
 annual payments in an amount equal to the amount that 
 would be used if the land were to be enrolled in the 
 conservation reserve program under 

section 1231
            (d) (2) .
 ``
        (B) Form of payment.--Compensation for a 
 Grassland 30 contract shall be provided by the 
 Secretary in the form of a cash payment in an amount 
 determined under subparagraph
        (A) .
 ``
            (C) Timing.--The Secretary shall provide any 
 annual payment obligation under subparagraph
        (A) as 
 early as practicable in each fiscal year.
 ``
            (D) Payments to others.--The Secretary shall make 
 a payment, in accordance with regulations prescribed by 
 the Secretary, in a manner as the Secretary determines 
 is fair and reasonable under the circumstances, if an 
 owner that is entitled to a payment under this 
 section--
 ``
            (i) dies;
 ``
            (ii) becomes incompetent;
 ``
            (iii) is succeeded by another person or 
 entity that renders or completes the required 
 performance; or
 ``
            (iv) is otherwise unable to receive the 
 payment.
 ``

    (8) Technical assistance.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The Secretary shall assist 
 owners in complying with the terms and conditions of a 
 Grassland 30 contract.
 ``
        (B) Contracts or agreements.--The Secretary may 
 enter into 1 or more contracts with private entities or 
 agreements with a State, nongovernmental organization, 
 or Indian Tribe to carry out necessary maintenance of a 
 Grassland 30 contract if the Secretary determines that 
 the contract or agreement will advance the purposes of 
 the conservation reserve program.
 ``

    (9) Administration.--
 ``
        (A) Conservation reserve plan.--The Secretary 
 shall develop a conservation reserve plan for any land 
 subject to a Grassland 30 contract, which shall include 
 practices and activities necessary to maintain, 
 protect, and enhance the conservation value of the 
 enrolled land, including the protection and enhancement 
 of soil carbon levels.
 ``
        (B) Delegation of contract administration.--
 ``
            (i) Federal, state, tribal, or local 
 government agencies.--The Secretary may 
 delegate any of the management, monitoring, and 
 enforcement responsibilities of the Secretary 
 under this subsection to other Federal, State, 
 Tribal, or local government agencies that have 
 the appropriate authority, expertise, and 
 resources necessary to carry out those 
 delegated responsibilities.
 ``
            (ii) Conservation organizations.--The 
 Secretary may delegate any management 
 responsibilities of the Secretary under this 
 subsection to conservation organizations if the 
 Secretary determines the conservation 
 organization has similar expertise and 
 resources.''.

SEC. 505. ALTERNATIVE MANURE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

 Chapter 5 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb et seq.) (as amended by 

section 304) is amended 
by adding at the end the following:

``

SEC. 1240T. ALTERNATIVE MANURE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

 ``

    (a) 

=== Definitions. ===
-In this section:
 ``

    (1) Alternative manure management program.--The term 
 `alternative manure management program' means the program 
 established under subsection

    (b) .
 ``

    (2) Covered management measure.--The term `covered 
 management measure' means a dairy or livestock operation method 
 that is used by an eligible producer to reduce baseline methane 
 emissions and, where applicable, improve carbon sequestration 
 on the operation of that eligible producer, including the 
 measures described in subparagraphs
        (A) through
            (D) of 
 subsection

    (f)

    (2) .
 ``

    (3) Eligible producer.--The term `eligible producer' 
 means a dairy or livestock producer that agrees to reduce 
 greenhouse gas emissions by adopting at least 1 covered 
 management measure as an alternative or complement to anaerobic 
 systems that capture methane emissions.
 ``

    (4) Pasture-based management.--The term `pasture-based 
 management' means a dairy or livestock production system--
 ``
        (A) that eliminates or reduces the quantity of 
 manure stored in anaerobic conditions; and
 ``
        (B) in which the animals spend all or a 
 substantial portion of their time grazing on fields in 
 which some or all of the manure is deposited and left 
 in the field and decomposes aerobically.
 ``

    (5) Solid separation system.--The term `solid separation 
 system' means a system designed to separate liquid components 
 of manure from mineral and organic solid components of that 
 manure.
 ``

    (b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an alternative 
manure management program to award contracts to eligible producers to 
support carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 
implementing covered management measures.
 ``
            (c) Submission of Contract Offers.--To be eligible to participate 
in the alternative manure management program, an eligible producer 
shall submit to the Secretary a contract offer that details any 
management measure to be used on the operation of the eligible 
producer.
 ``
            (d) Cluster Contract Offers.--The Secretary shall establish 
procedures under which--
 ``

    (1) groups of eligible producers may submit a joint 
 contract offer for a shared composting facility; and
 ``

    (2) the Secretary shall allocate payments to each 
 eligible producer associated with a joint contract described in 
 paragraph

    (1) .
 ``

    (e) Evaluating Applications.--
 ``

    (1) Criteria.--The Secretary shall develop criteria for 
 evaluating applications that will maximize--
 ``
        (A) carbon sequestration;
 ``
        (B) greenhouse gas emissions reductions; and
 ``
            (C) the overall environmental and public health 
 benefits.
 ``

    (2) Priority.--In awarding contracts under this section, 
 the Secretary, using criteria developed under paragraph

    (1) , 
 shall give priority to contract offers that address air 
 quality, water quality, or other public health concerns 
 associated with dairy and livestock operations located near 
 low-income or underserved communities.
 ``

    (3) Grouping.--The Secretary may group and evaluate 
 contract offers relative to other contract offers for similar 
 farming operations.
 ``

    (4) Geographical diversity.--In awarding contracts under 
 this section, the Secretary shall ensure geographical 
 diversity.
 ``

    (f) Contract Provisions.--
 ``

    (1) Term.--A contract awarded under this section shall 
 have a term that does not exceed 3 years.
 ``

    (2) Covered management measures.--Each eligible producer 
 requesting funding for a project under the alternative manure 
 management program shall implement at least 1 of the following 
 management measures:
 ``
        (A) With respect to pasture-based management--
 ``
            (i) adopting pasture-based management;
 ``
            (ii) converting a non-pasture dairy or 
 livestock operation to pasture-based 
 management;
 ``
            (iii) increasing the amount of time 
 livestock spend at pasture at an existing 
 pasture operation; or
 ``
            (iv) improving pasture-based management, 
 including transitioning to management-intensive 
 rotational grazing (as defined in 

section 1240L
            (d) (1) ).
 ``
        (B) Adopting alternative manure treatment and 
 storage practices, including--
 ``
            (i) the installation of a compost-bedded 
 pack barn that composts manure;
 ``
            (ii) the installation of slatted floor 
 pit storage manure collection that is cleaned 
 out at least once a month; or
 ``
            (iii) other similar practices, as 
 determined by the Secretary.
 ``
            (C) 
            (i) In conjunction with 1 or more management 
 measures described in clause
            (ii) --
 ``
            (I) adopting a solid separation system;
 ``
            (II) installing a new solid separation 
 system that has a significantly higher 
 separation efficiency than any existing solid 
 separation system; or
 ``
            (III) developing or retrofitting a manure 
 management system that primarily avoids wet 
 handling infrastructure.
 ``
            (ii) The management measures referred to in 
 clause
            (i) are the following:
 ``
            (I) Open solar drying or composting of 
 manure onsite.
 ``
            (II) Solar drying in an enclosed 
 environment.
 ``
            (III) Forced evaporation with natural-gas 
 fueled dryers.
 ``
            (IV) Storage of manure in unconfined 
 piles or stacks.
 ``
            (V) Composting in an enclosed vessel, 
 with forced aeration and continuous mixing.
 ``
            (VI) Composting in piles with forced 
 aeration without mixing.
 ``
            (VII) Composting in intensive windrows 
 with regular turning for mixing and aeration.
 ``
            (VIII) Composting in passive windrows 
 with infrequent turning for mixing and 
 aeration.
 ``
            (IX) Vermiculture or vermifiltration.
 ``
            (X) Other similar activities, as 
 determined by the Secretary.
 ``
            (D) Adopting scrape technologies, in conjunction 
 with 1 of the management measures described in 
 subclauses
            (I) through
            (X) of subparagraph
            (C) 
            (ii) .
 ``

    (3) Duties of eligible producers under contract.--To 
 receive payments under the alternative manure management 
 program, an eligible producer shall--
 ``
        (A) implement 1 or more covered management 
 measures;
 ``
        (B) supply information as required by the 
 Secretary to determine compliance with the requirements 
 of the alternative manure management program; and
 ``
            (C) comply with such additional provisions as the 
 Secretary determines are necessary to carry out the 
 alternative manure management program.
 ``

    (g) Payments to Eligible Producers.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--During each of fiscal years 2026 through 
 2030, the Secretary shall provide payments to eligible 
 producers that enter into contracts with the Secretary under 
 the alternative manure management program.
 ``

    (2) Availability of payments.--Payments provided to an 
 eligible producer under this section may be used to implement 1 
 or more covered management measures.
 ``

    (3) Payment amounts.--The Secretary may provide a payment 
 to an eligible producer under the alternative manure management 
 program for an amount that is up to 100 percent of the costs 
 associated with planning, design, materials, equipment, 
 installation, labor, management, maintenance, and training 
 relating to implementing a covered management measure.
 ``

    (4) Limitation on payments.--A person or legal entity 
 (including a joint venture and a general partnership) may not 
 receive, directly or indirectly, payments under the program 
 that exceed $825,000 during any 5-year period.
 ``

    (5) Advanced payments.--The Secretary shall provide not 
 less than 50 percent of the amount of total payments to an 
 eligible producer in advance for all costs relating to--
 ``
        (A) purchasing or contracting materials and 
 equipment; or
 ``
        (B) any technical assistance provided by the 
 Secretary.
 ``

    (h) Modification or Termination of Contracts.--
 ``

    (1) Voluntary.--The Secretary may modify or terminate a 
 contract entered into with an eligible producer under the 
 alternative manure management program if--
 ``
        (A) the producer agrees to the modification or 
 termination; and
 ``
        (B) the Secretary determines that the 
 modification or termination is in the public interest.
 ``

    (2) Involuntary.--The Secretary may terminate a contract 
 under the alternative manure management program if the 
 Secretary determines that the eligible producer violated the 
 contract.
 ``
            (i) Duties of Secretary.--The Secretary shall--
 ``

    (1) determine and publish factors for estimating the 
 carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions reductions 
 for each covered management measure described in subclauses
            (I) through
            (X) of subsection

    (f)

    (2)
            (C) 
            (ii) ;
 ``

    (2) assist an eligible producer in achieving the carbon 
 sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and other 
 environmental and public health goals of the alternative manure 
 management program plan by--
 ``
        (A) providing payments for developing and 
 implementing 1 or more covered management measures, as 
 appropriate; and
 ``
        (B) providing that eligible producer with 
 information, technical assistance, and training to aid 
 in implementation of the covered management measures; 
 and
 ``

    (3)
        (A) review the adequacy of existing conservation 
 practice standards for supporting the covered management 
 measures; and
 ``
        (B) if necessary--
 ``
            (i) revise existing conservation practice 
 standards; and
 ``
            (ii) develop new conservation practice standards.
 ``

    (j) Technical Assistance.--In providing technical assistance 
under the alternative manure management program, the Secretary shall 
apply sections 1241
            (c) and 1242, except that the Secretary shall--
 ``

    (1) apportion not more than 15 percent of the total 
 funding available for the alternative manure management program 
 for the provision of technical assistance; and
 ``

    (2) enter into cooperative agreements with third-party 
 providers with relevant expertise in the covered management 
 measures to ensure adequate technical services are available to 
 alternative manure management program applicants.
 ``

    (k) Funding.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall use the funds, 
 facilities, and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation 
 to carry out the alternative manure management program 
 (including the provision of technical assistance described in 
 subsection

    (j) ) using $1,500,000,000 for the period of fiscal 
 years 2026 through 2030.
 ``

    (2) Reservations of funds.--The Secretary shall, to the 
 maximum extent practicable, use a majority of the funds made 
 available by paragraph

    (1) for contract offers from small- and 
 mid-sized dairy and livestock operations, including--
 ``
        (A) beginning farmers or ranchers;
 ``
        (B) limited resource farmers and ranchers; and
 ``
            (C) socially disadvantaged farmers and 
 ranchers.''.

 TITLE VI--ON-FARM RENEWABLE ENERGY

SEC. 601. RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM.

 

Section 9007 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(7 U.S.C. 8107) is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (a) --
        (A) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (1) , by 
 striking ``and renewable energy development'' and 
 inserting ``, renewable energy development, and the 
 reduction of greenhouse gas emissions''; and
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) , by adding ``that reduce 
 greenhouse gas emissions'' before the period at the 
 end;

    (2) in subsection

    (b) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (2) --
            (i) in subparagraph
            (D) , by striking 
 ``and'' at the end;
            (ii) by redesignating subparagraph
        (E) as 
 subparagraph
        (G) ; and
            (iii) by inserting after subparagraph
            (D) the following:
 ``
        (E) a nonprofit corporation;
 ``
        (F) an agricultural cooperative or producer 
 group; and'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (3)
            (D) , by inserting before the 
 semicolon at the end the following: ``, including 
 greenhouse gas emissions reductions''; and
            (C) in paragraph

    (4) --
            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
        (A) , by inserting ``, agricultural 
 processors,'' after ``agricultural producers'';
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (A) , by striking 
 ``and'' at the end;
            (iii) in subparagraph
        (B)
            (ii) , by striking 
 the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; 
 and
            (iv) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (C) assisting in the development of feasibility 
 studies and plans for implementing recommendations 
 provided under subparagraph
        (B) .'';

    (3) in subsection
            (c) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1)
        (A)
            (i) , by inserting ``, 
 agricultural processors,'' after ``agricultural 
 producers'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (2) --
            (i) by redesignating subparagraphs
        (F) and
        (G) as subparagraphs
        (G) and
        (H) , respectively; 
 and
            (ii) by inserting after subparagraph
        (E) the following:
 ``
        (F) carbon accounting assessments developed under 
 subsection
            (d) with respect to the renewable energy 
 system to be installed or the energy efficiency upgrade 
 to be undertaken;'';
            (C) in paragraph

    (3) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (A) , by striking ``The 
 amount'' and all that follows through ``25 
 percent'' and inserting ``Except as provided in 
 subparagraph
        (F) , the amount of a grant under 
 this subsection shall not exceed 50 percent'';
            (ii) by redesignating subparagraphs
            (C) and
            (D) as subparagraphs
            (D) and
        (E) , respectively;
            (iii) by inserting after subparagraph
        (B) the following:
 ``
            (C) Maximum percentage of loan guarantee.--The 
 portion of a loan that the Secretary may guarantee 
 under this section shall be--
 ``
            (i) in the case of a loan in an amount 
 equal to not less than $1,000,000, 80 percent 
 of the principal amount of the loan; and
 ``
            (ii) in the case of a loan in an amount 
 equal to less than $1,000,000, 90 percent of 
 the principal amount of the loan.'';
            (iv) in subparagraph
        (E) (as so 
 redesignated), by striking ``subsection

    (f) '' 
 and inserting ``subsection

    (h) ''; and
            (v) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
        (F) Underserved producers.--The amount of a grant 
 provided under this subsection to an agricultural 
 producer that is a beginning farmer or rancher, a 
 socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, or a veteran 
 farmer or rancher (as those terms are defined in 
 

section 2501

    (a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation 
 and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279

    (a) )) shall not 
 exceed 75 percent of the cost of the activity funded by 
 the grant.'';
            (D) in paragraph

    (4) , by adding at the end the 
 following:
 ``
        (F) Preapproved technologies.--In order to 
 streamline the adoption of renewable energy systems and 
 energy efficiency improvements, the Secretary shall 
 develop a streamlined application process for projects 
 using preapproved products and technologies included on 
 the list described in paragraph

    (5) .''; and
        (E) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (5) Preapproved list.--The Secretary shall, beginning in 
 fiscal year 2026--
 ``
        (A) develop a list of preapproved technologies 
 and products for purposes of paragraph

    (4)
        (F) ; and
 ``
        (B) update that list every 2 fiscal years.
 ``

    (6) Priority.--In making grants or loan guarantees under 
 this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to proposed 
 projects that use technologies--
 ``
        (A) with a substantially low carbon footprint; or
 ``
        (B) that would result in significant net 
 decreases of greenhouse gas emissions, as determined by 
 the Secretary using the carbon accounting assessments 
 developed under subsection
            (d) .'';

    (4) by redesignating subsections
            (d) ,

    (e) , and

    (f) as 
 subsections

    (f) ,

    (g) , and

    (h) , respectively;

    (5) by inserting after subsection
            (c) the following:
 ``
            (d) Carbon Accounting.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
 enactment of the Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025, the 
 Secretary, in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy 
 Laboratory, shall develop carbon accounting assessments for 
 renewable energy systems and energy efficiency upgrades 
 (including technologies on the list described in subsection
            (c) (5)
        (A) and technologies described in subsection

    (h)

    (5)
        (A) ) 
 supported by assistance provided under this section.
 ``

    (2) Methodologies.--In developing the carbon accounting 
 assessments under paragraph

    (1) , the Secretary shall, to the 
 maximum extent practicable, create accurate methodologies for 
 assigning greenhouse gas emission values, including land use 
 change.
 ``

    (3) Program guidance.--The Secretary shall, to the 
 maximum extent practicable, use the carbon accounting 
 assessments developed under paragraph

    (1) as guides in carrying 
 out this section.
 ``

    (e) Regional Demonstration Projects.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out regional 
 demonstration projects that incentivize agricultural producers 
 to reduce their carbon footprint or overall carbon equivalent 
 emissions to the maximum extent practicable through the use of 
 energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems.
 ``

    (2) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the results 
 of the regional demonstration projects carried out under 
 paragraph

    (1) .'';

    (6) in subsection

    (f) (as so redesignated)--
        (A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``and 
 Technical Assistance'' after ``Outreach'';
        (B) by striking ``The Secretary shall'' and 
 inserting ``Using funds made available under subsection

    (h)

    (4) , the Secretary shall'';
            (C) by inserting ``and technical assistance'' after 
 ``outreach''; and
            (D) by inserting ``or provided, as applicable,'' 
 after ``conducted'';

    (7) in subsection

    (g) (as so redesignated), by striking 
 ``subsection

    (f) '' each place it appears and inserting 
 ``subsection

    (h) ''; and

    (8) in subsection

    (h) (as so redesignated)--
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) , by striking subparagraphs
        (A) through
        (E) and inserting the following:
 ``
        (A) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 
 through 2025;
 ``
        (B) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
 ``
            (C) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
 ``
            (D) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; and
 ``
        (E) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2029 and each 
 fiscal year thereafter.'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (2)
        (B) , by striking ``become 
 available'' and inserting ``be used''; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (4) Administrative expenses.--Of the funds made available 
 to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary 
 shall use not more than 8 percent for administrative expenses.
 ``

    (5) Reservation of funds.--Of the funds made available to 
 carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary may 
 reserve--
 ``
        (A) not more than 15 percent to provide grants 
 under subsection
            (c) to support the adoption of 
 underutilized but proven commercial technologies; and
 ``
        (B) not more than 5 percent to carry out 
 subsection

    (e) .''.

SEC. 602. AGRIVOLTAIC SYSTEMS.

    (a) Definition of Agrivoltaic System.--In this section, the term 
``agrivoltaic system'' means a system under which solar energy 
production and agricultural production, including crop or animal 
production or apiculture, occurs in an integrated manner on the same 
piece of land.

    (b) Study.--

    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a study of 
 agrivoltaic systems that shall include--
        (A) an assessment of the compatibility of different 
 species of livestock with different agrivoltaic system 
 designs, including--
            (i) the optimal height of and distance 
 between solar panels for--
            (I) livestock grazing; and
            (II) shade for livestock;
            (ii) manure management considerations;
            (iii) fencing requirements; and
            (iv) other animal handling considerations;
        (B) an assessment of animal breeding research needs 
 with respect to beneficial and compatible 
 characteristics and behaviors of different species of 
 grazing animals in agrivoltaic systems;
            (C) an assessment of the compatibility of different 
 crop types with different agrivoltaic system designs, 
 including--
            (i) the optimal height of and distance 
 between solar panels for--
            (I) plant shading; and
            (II) farm equipment use;
            (ii) the impact on crop yield; and
            (iii) market opportunities to sell crops at 
 a premium price;
            (D) an assessment of plant breeding research needs 
 with respect to beneficial and compatible 
 characteristics of different crops, including specialty 
 and perennial crops, in agrivoltaic systems;
        (E) a risk-benefit analysis of agrivoltaic systems 
 in different regions of the United States, including a 
 comparison between the total greenhouse gas impact of 
 agrivoltaic systems and solar energy systems that 
 displace agricultural production;
        (F) an assessment of the types of agricultural land 
 best suited and worst suited for agrivoltaic systems;
        (G) an assessment of how to best develop 
 agrivoltaic systems on a national and local scale 
 consistent with--
            (i) maintaining or increasing agricultural 
 production;
            (ii) increasing agricultural resilience;
            (iii) retaining prime farmland;
            (iv) increasing economic opportunities in 
 farming and rural communities;
            (v) reducing nonfarmer ownership of 
 farmland; and
            (vi) enhancing biodiversity;
        (H) an assessment of the unique risk management and 
 crop insurance needs of agrivoltaic systems;
            (I) an assessment of the means by which Federal 
 procurement of agricultural products could help build a 
 market for agricultural products from farms with 
 agrivoltaic systems; and
        (J) an assessment of the means by which Federal 
 agricultural conservation programs, renewable energy 
 programs, and investment tax credits can better support 
 agrivoltaic systems.

    (2) 5-year plan.--Based on the study under paragraph

    (1) , 
 the Secretary shall develop a 5-year plan for using the 
 research, extension, outreach, conservation, and renewable 
 energy activities of the Department of Agriculture to better 
 support agrivoltaic systems that do not displace agricultural 
 production.

    (3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
 enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
 Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate 
 and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
 Representatives a report containing the results of the study 
 conducted under paragraph

    (1) .
            (c) Agrivoltaic System Research and Demonstration.--

    (1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
 Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service and in 
 coordination with the relevant research programs of the 
 Department of Energy, shall establish and maintain a network of 
 research and demonstration sites operated by the Agricultural 
 Research Service to investigate and demonstrate agrivoltaic 
 systems in multiple regions of the United States, including 
 arid, semiarid, and wet agricultural zones, that--
        (A) increase agricultural productivity and 
 profitability;
        (B) enhance agricultural resilience and the 
 capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change;
            (C) protect biodiversity; and
            (D) increase economic opportunities in farming and 
 rural communities.

    (2) Coordination.--In establishing and maintaining the 
 network described in paragraph

    (1) , the Secretary shall 
 collaborate with the Climate Hubs of the Department of 
 Agriculture to share research findings and translate those 
 findings into educational, outreach, and technical assistance 
 materials for agricultural producers.

    (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
 to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $15,000,000 for 
 fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.

SEC. 603. AGSTAR PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall maintain the program known as 
the ``AgSTAR program'' within the Department of Agriculture, under 
which the Secretary shall--

    (1) support the use of anaerobic digestion in the 
 agricultural sector to reduce methane emissions from livestock 
 waste;

    (2) conduct outreach, education, and training relating to 
 anaerobic digestion of livestock waste;

    (3) provide technical and regulatory assistance relating to 
 anaerobic digestion of livestock waste to stakeholders, 
 including farmers and ranchers, with respect to issues 
 including--
        (A) permitting;
        (B) codigestion of multiple organic wastes in one 
 digester; and
            (C) interconnection to physically link a digester 
 to the electrical power grid;

    (4) promote centralized, multifarm digesters that use 
 livestock waste from more than 1 farm or ranch;

    (5) collect and report data relating to anaerobic digestion 
 of livestock waste; and

    (6) maintain a database of on-farm anaerobic digester 
 projects in the United States.

    (b) Transition From EPA.--

    (1) In general.--The Administrator of the Environmental 
 Protection Agency shall take such steps as are necessary to 
 provide for an orderly transition of the activities carried out 
 under the AgSTAR program by the Environmental Protection Agency 
 to be carried out by the Secretary, in accordance with 
 subsection
            (c) .

    (2) Deadline.--The Administrator of the Environmental 
 Protection Agency shall finish carrying out paragraph

    (1) by 
 not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
 such that the Secretary has sole jurisdiction of the AgSTAR 
 program by that date.
            (c) Administration.--The Secretary shall carry out the AgSTAR 
program through the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service--

    (1) in coordination with the Administrator of the 
 Environmental Protection Agency and other Federal agencies as 
 necessary; and

    (2) in partnership with the Climate Hubs, cooperative 
 extension services, and agencies of the Department of 
 Agriculture.
            (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the AgSTAR program not more 
than $5,000,000 for each fiscal year.

 TITLE VII--FOOD LOSS AND WASTE

 Subtitle A--Food Date Labeling

SEC. 701. DEFINITIONS.

 In this subtitle:

    (1) Administering secretaries.--The term ``administering 
 Secretaries'' means--
        (A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to 
 any product that is--
            (i) under the jurisdiction of the Secretary 
 of Agriculture; and
            (ii) 
            (I) a poultry product (as defined in 
 

section 4 of the Poultry Products Inspection 
 Act (21 U.S.C. 453));
            (II) a meat food product (as defined in 
 

section 1 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act 
 (21 U.S.C. 601)); or
            (III) an egg product (as defined in 

section 4 of the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 
 1033)); and
        (B) the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
 with respect to any product that is--
            (i) under the jurisdiction of the Secretary 
 of Health and Human Services; and
            (ii) a food (as defined in 

section 201 of 
 the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 
 U.S.C. 321)).

    (2) Discard date phrase.--The term ``discard date phrase'' 
 means a phrase voluntarily printed on food packaging that 
 signifies the end of the estimated period of shelf life under 
 any stated storage conditions, after which the entity 
 responsible for the food label advises the product not be 
 consumed.

    (3) Quality date phrase.--The term ``quality date phrase'' 
 means a phrase voluntarily printed on food packaging that is 
 intended to communicate the date on which--
        (A) the quality of the product may begin to 
 deteriorate; but
        (B) the product remains apparently wholesome food 
 (as defined in subsection

    (b) of the Bill Emerson Good 
 Samaritan Food Donation Act (42 U.S.C. 1791

    (b) )).

SEC. 702. QUALITY DATE PHRASES AND DISCARD DATE PHRASES.

    (a) Quality Date Phrases.--

    (1) In general.--If a quality date phrase is included on 
 food packaging, the quality date phrase shall be preceded by 
 the uniform quality date phrase label described in paragraph

    (2) .

    (2) Uniform quality date phrase label.--The uniform quality 
 date phrase label under this paragraph shall be ``BEST If Used 
 By'' or, if permissible under subsection
            (c) (3) , the standard 
 abbreviation of ``BB'', unless and until the administering 
 Secretaries, acting in coordination, specify through rulemaking 
 another uniform phrase to be used for purposes of complying 
 with paragraph

    (1) .

    (3) Option of labeler.--The decision regarding whether to 
 include a quality date phrase on food packaging, and which 
 foods should be so labeled, shall be at the discretion of the 
 entity responsible for the food label.

    (b) Discard Date Phrases.--

    (1) In general.--If a discard date phrase is included on 
 food packaging, the discard date phrase shall be preceded by 
 the uniform discard date phrase label described in paragraph

    (2) .

    (2) Uniform discard date phrase label.--The uniform discard 
 date phrase label under this paragraph shall be ``USE By'' or, 
 if permissible under subsection
            (c) (3) , the standard 
 abbreviation of ``UB'', unless and until the administering 
 Secretaries, acting in coordination, specify through rulemaking 
 another uniform phrase to be used for purposes of complying 
 with paragraph

    (1) .

    (3) Option of labeler.--The decision regarding whether to 
 include a discard date phrase on food packaging, and which 
 foods should be so labeled, shall be at the discretion of the 
 entity responsible for the food label.
            (c) Quality Date Phrase and Discard Date Phrase Labeling.--

    (1) In general.--The quality date phrase or discard date 
 phrase, as applicable, shall be--
        (A) in single, easy-to-read type style; and
        (B) located in a conspicuous and prominent place on 
 the food label or elsewhere on the food packaging.

    (2) Date format.--The format for a quality date or discard 
 date that follows the quality date phrase or discard date 
 phrase, as applicable, shall be stated in terms of--
        (A) month and year; or
        (B) as appropriate, month, day, and year.

    (3) Abbreviations.--A standard abbreviation of ``BB'' and 
 ``UB'' for the quality date phrase and discard date phrase, 
 respectively, may be used only if the food packaging is too 
 small to include the uniform phrase described in subsection

    (a)

    (2) or

    (b)

    (2) , as applicable.

    (4) Use of technologies and additional labels.--
        (A) In general.--The labeling required under this 
 subsection may use time-temperature indicator labels, 
 QR codes, smart labels, or similar technology, in 
 addition to the uniform phrase described in subsection

    (a)

    (2) or

    (b)

    (2) , as applicable.
        (B) Effect.--Nothing in this title or an amendment 
 made by this title prohibits or restricts the use of a 
 technology or label described in subparagraph
        (A) in 
 lieu of the uniform phrase described in subsection

    (a)

    (2) or

    (b)

    (2) , as applicable.

    (5) Freeze by.--An entity responsible for a food label may 
 add ``or Freeze By'' following a uniform quality date phrase or 
 discard date phrase.
            (d) Education.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the administering Secretaries, acting in coordination, 
shall provide consumer education and outreach on the meaning of quality 
date phrases and discard date phrases on food packaging.

    (e) Effect; Preemption.--

    (1) Effect on sale or donation of foods.--Nothing in this 
 title or an amendment made by this title prohibits any State or 
 political subdivision of a State from establishing or 
 continuing in effect any requirement that prohibits the sale or 
 donation of foods based on passage of the applicable discard 
 date.

    (2) Effect on infant formula.--This title and the 
 amendments made by this title shall not--
        (A) apply to infant formula (as defined in 

section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 
 U.S.C. 321)); or
        (B) affect the requirements relating to infant 
 formula established under 

section 412 of the Federal 
 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 350a) or any 
 other applicable provision of law.

    (3) Preemption.--No State or political subdivision of a 
 State may establish or continue in effect any requirement 
 that--
        (A) relates to the inclusion in food labeling of a 
 quality date phrase or a discard date phrase that is 
 different from, in addition to, or otherwise not 
 identical with, the requirements of this title and the 
 amendments made by this title; or
        (B) prohibits the sale or donation of foods based 
 on passage of the applicable quality date.

    (4) Enforcement.--The administering Secretaries, acting 
 jointly and in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission, 
 shall ensure that the uniform quality date phrase label and 
 uniform discard date phrase label are standardized across all 
 food products.

    (5) Savings provision.--Notwithstanding paragraph

    (3) , 
 nothing in this title, any amendment made by this title, or any 
 standard or requirement imposed pursuant to this title 
 preempts, displaces, or supplants--
        (A) any State or Federal common law or common law 
 right; or
        (B) any State or Federal law creating a remedy for 
 civil relief, including the Federal Trade Commission 
 Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.).

    (6) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection--
        (A) authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human 
 Services to require that a food be labeled for quality 
 standards, or with a discard date, as described in 
 subsections

    (a) and

    (b) ; or
        (B) preempts a State from establishing a 
 requirement that a quality date, discard date, or a 
 timeline of quality shall be included on a food label, 
 subject to the condition that the requirement shall 
 comply with the uniform quality date phrase or discard 
 date phrase described in subsection

    (a)

    (2) or

    (b)

    (2) , 
 respectively.

SEC. 703. MISBRANDING.

    (a) FDA Violations.--

Section 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and 
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
 ``

    (z) If the label bears a quality date phrase or discard date 
phrase (as those terms are defined in 

section 701 of the Agriculture 
Resilience Act of 2025) that is in violation of 

section 702 of that 
Act.''.

    (b) Poultry Products.--

Section 4

    (h) of the Poultry Products 
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 453

    (h) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (11) , by striking ``or'' at the end;

    (2) in paragraph

    (12) , by striking the period at the end 
 and inserting ``; or''; and

    (3) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (13) if the label bears a quality date phrase or discard 
 date phrase (as those terms are defined in 

section 701 of the 
 Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025) that is in violation of 
 

section 702 of that Act.''.
            (c) Meat Products.--

Section 1

    (n) of the Federal Meat Inspection Act 
(21 U.S.C. 601

    (n) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (11) , by striking ``or'' at the end;

    (2) in paragraph

    (12) , by striking the period at the end 
 and inserting ``; or''; and

    (3) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (13) if the label bears a quality date phrase or discard 
 date phrase (as those terms are defined in 

section 701 of the 
 Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025) that is in violation of 
 

section 702 of that Act.''.
            (d) Egg Products.--

Section 7

    (b) of the Egg Products Inspection Act 
(21 U.S.C. 1036

    (b) ) is amended, in the first sentence, by inserting 
``or if the label bears a quality date phrase or discard date phrase 
(as those terms are defined in 

section 701 of the Agriculture 
Resilience Act of 2025) that is in violation of 

section 702 of that 
Act'' before the period at the end.

SEC. 704. REGULATIONS.

 Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
administering Secretaries, acting in coordination, shall promulgate 
final regulations for carrying out this title and the amendments made 
by this title.

SEC. 705. DELAYED APPLICABILITY.

 This title and the amendments made by this title shall apply only 
with respect to food products that are labeled on or after the date 
that is 2 years after the date of promulgation of final regulations 
pursuant to 

section 704.

 Subtitle B--Other Provisions

SEC. 711. COMPOSTING AS CONSERVATION PRACTICE.

    (a) Conservation Standards and Requirements.--

Section 1241

    (j) of 
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841

    (j) ) is amended--

    (1) by redesignating paragraph

    (2) as paragraph

    (3) ; and

    (2) by inserting after paragraph

    (1) the following:
 ``

    (2) Composting as conservation practice and activity.--
 ``
        (A) Definition of composting.--
 ``
            (i) In general.--In this paragraph, the 
 term `composting' means--
 ``
            (I) an activity (including an 
 activity that does not require the use 
 of a composting facility) to produce 
 compost from organic waste that is--
 ``

    (aa) generated on a farm; 
 or
 ``

    (bb) brought to a farm 
 from a nearby community and 
 used to produce compost on that 
 farm; and
 ``
            (II) the use and active 
 management of compost on a farm, in 
 accordance with any applicable Federal, 
 State, or local law, to improve water 
 retention and soil health.
 ``
            (ii) Determination of nearby 
 communities.--The Secretary, in consultation 
 with the Administrator of the Environmental 
 Protection Agency, shall issue regulations for 
 determining whether a community is nearby for 
 purposes of clause
            (i) 
            (I) (bb) , which shall 
 ensure that bringing organic waste from the 
 community to the farm to produce compost 
 results in a net reduction of greenhouse gas 
 emissions.
 ``
        (B) Regulations.--The Secretary shall provide, by 
 regulation, that composting is a conservation practice 
 and a conservation activity for the purposes of this 
 title.''.

    (b) Conservation Stewardship Program.--

Section 1240I

    (2)
        (B)
            (i) of 
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-21

    (2)
        (B)
            (i) ) is amended 
by inserting ``and composting (as defined in 

section 1241

    (j)

    (2) )'' 
after ``agriculture drainage management systems''.
            (c) Environmental Quality Incentives Program.--

Section 1240A

    (6)
        (A)
            (ii) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-
1

    (6)
        (A)
            (ii) ) is amended by inserting ``, including composting (as 
defined in 

section 1241

    (j)

    (2) )'' before the semicolon at the end.
            (d) Delivery of Technical Assistance.--

Section 1242

    (h) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842

    (h) ) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:
 ``

    (5) Development of composting practice standard.--In 
 addition to conducting a review under this subsection of any 
 composting facilities practice standard established before the 
 date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall 
 develop and implement a composting practice standard under the 
 process developed under paragraph

    (3) .''.

SEC. 712. AMENDMENTS TO FEDERAL FOOD DONATION ACT.

    (a) 

=== Purpose ===
-

Section 2 of the Federal Food Donation Act of 2008 
(Public Law 110-247; 42 U.S.C. 1792 note) is amended by striking 
``encourage'' and inserting ``require''.

    (b) 

=== Definitions. ===
-

Section 3 of the Federal Food Donation Act of 
2008 (Public Law 110-247; 42 U.S.C. 1792 note) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (1) , by striking ``

section 2

    (b) '' and 
 inserting ``subsection

    (b) '';

    (2) by redesignating paragraphs

    (3) and

    (4) as paragraphs

    (4) and

    (5) , respectively; and

    (3) by inserting after paragraph

    (2) the following:
 ``

    (3) Executive agency.--The term `executive agency' has 
 the meaning given the term in 

section 133 of title 41, United 
 States Code.''.
            (c) Report on Food Waste by Certain Federal Contractors.--

Section 4 
of the Federal Food Donation Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 1792) is amended--

    (1) by striking subsection

    (a) and inserting the following:
 ``

    (a) Revision of Federal Acquisition Regulation.--
 ``

    (1) Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
 of enactment of the Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025, the 
 Federal Acquisition Regulation issued in accordance with 
 

section 1121 of title 41, United States Code, shall be revised 
 to provide that, except as provided in paragraph

    (2) , all 
 contracts greater than $10,000 for the provision, service, or 
 sale of food in the United States, or for the lease or rental 
 of Federal property to a private entity for events at which 
 food is provided in the United States, shall include a clause 
 that--
 ``
        (A) requires the donation of excess, apparently 
 wholesome food to nonprofit organizations that provide 
 assistance to food-insecure people in the United 
 States;
 ``
        (B) states the terms and conditions described in 
 subsection

    (b) ; and
 ``
            (C) requires the submission of a report, annually 
 if applicable--
 ``
            (i) in a form and manner specified by the 
 executive agency awarding the contract; and
 ``
            (ii) that describes, for each month of 
 performance of the contract during the period 
 covered by the report, the weight of apparently 
 wholesome food that was disposed of pursuant to 
 the contract by--
 ``
            (I) donation, organized by the 
 name of the organization receiving the 
 food;
 ``
            (II) composting or other 
 recycling; or
 ``
            (III) discarding, organized by 
 the reason that the food was discarded.
 ``

    (2) Exception.--Paragraph

    (1) shall not apply to a 
 contract with an executive agency that has issued a regulation 
 in effect on the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
 Resilience Act of 2025 that prohibits a donation described in 
 paragraph

    (1)
        (A) .''; and

    (2) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (c) Application to Congress.--
 ``

    (1) Contracts.--This Act shall apply to the Senate and 
 the House of Representatives, and to contracts entered into by 
 the Senate and the House of Representatives, in the same manner 
 and to the same extent as this Act applies to an executive 
 agency and contracts entered into by an executive agency 
 pursuant to this Act.
 ``

    (2) Administration.--For purposes of carrying out 
 paragraph

    (1) --
 ``
        (A) the Secretary of the Senate shall be 
 considered to be the head of the Senate; and
 ``
        (B) the Chief Administrative Officer of the House 
 of Representatives shall be considered to be the head 
 of the House of Representatives.
 ``
            (d) Reports.--
 ``

    (1) Report to omb.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
 on which an executive agency receives a report described in 
 subsection

    (a)

    (1)
            (C) , the executive agency shall submit a copy 
 of the report to the Director of the Office of Management and 
 Budget.
 ``

    (2) Report to congress.--The Director of the Office of 
 Management and Budget shall submit to Congress an annual report 
 aggregating the information in the reports received under 
 paragraph

    (1) during the year covered by the annual report.''.
            (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--The Federal Food Donation Act 
of 2008 (Public Law 110-247; 122 Stat. 2314) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:

``

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

 ``There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Agriculture to carry out this Act $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and 
each fiscal year thereafter.''.

SEC. 713. GRANTS FOR COMPOSTING AND ANAEROBIC DIGESTION FOOD WASTE-TO-
 ENERGY PROJECTS.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle G of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 
U.S.C. 6971 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``

SEC. 7011. GRANTS FOR COMPOSTING AND ANAEROBIC DIGESTION FOOD WASTE-
 TO-ENERGY PROJECTS.

 ``

    (a) Definition of State.--In this section, the term `State' 
means--
 ``

    (1) each of the several States;
 ``

    (2) the District of Columbia;
 ``

    (3) each territory or possession of the United States; 
 and
 ``

    (4) each federally recognized Indian Tribe.
 ``

    (b) Grants.--The Administrator shall establish a grant program to 
award grants to States eligible to receive the grants under subsection
            (c) (1) to construct large-scale composting or anaerobic digestion food 
waste-to-energy projects.
 ``
            (c) Eligible States.--
 ``

    (1) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
 this section, a State shall--
 ``
        (A) have in effect a plan to limit the quantity 
 of food waste that may be disposed of in landfills in 
 the State; and
 ``
        (B) provide to the Administrator--
 ``
            (i) a written commitment that the State 
 has read and agrees to comply with the Food 
 Recovery Hierarchy of the Environmental 
 Protection Agency, particularly as applied to 
 apparently wholesome food (as defined in 
 subsection

    (b) of the Bill Emerson Good 
 Samaritan Food Donation Act (42 U.S.C. 
 1791

    (b) )) that may be provided to, or received 
 by, the State; and
 ``
            (ii) a written end-product recycling plan 
 that provides for the beneficial use of the 
 material resulting from any anaerobic digestion 
 food waste-to-energy operation with respect to 
 which the grant is made, in a manner that meets 
 all applicable Federal, State, and local laws 
 that protect human health and the environment.
 ``

    (2) Limitation.--A grant under subsection

    (b) may not be 
 used for an anaerobic digester that uses solely manure as 
 undigested biomass.
 ``

    (3) Preference.--The Administrator shall give preference 
 to grants under subsection

    (b) for anaerobic digesters that use 
 primarily nonedible food, crop waste, or nonedible food and 
 crop waste as undigested biomass.
 ``
            (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each fiscal 
year.''.

    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Solid Waste 
Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to 

section 7010 the following:

``

Sec. 7011. Grants for composting and anaerobic digestion food waste-
 to-energy projects.''.

SEC. 714. SCHOOL FOOD WASTE REDUCTION GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--

Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National 
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769) is amended by inserting before 
subsection

    (b) the following:
 ``

    (a) School Food Waste Reduction Grant Program.--
 ``

    (1) Definition of eligible local educational agency.--In 
 this subsection, the term `eligible local educational agency' 
 means a local educational agency that participates in--
 ``
        (A) the school lunch program under this Act; or
 ``
        (B) the school breakfast program established 
 under 

section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 
 U.S.C. 1773).
 ``

    (2) Establishment.--The Secretary shall carry out a 
 program to make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible 
 local educational agencies to carry out food waste measurement, 
 prevention, education, and reduction projects.
 ``

    (3) Regional balance.--In awarding grants under this 
 subsection, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent 
 practicable, ensure--
 ``
        (A) that a grant is awarded to an eligible local 
 educational agency in each region served by the 
 Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service; and
 ``
        (B) equitable treatment of rural, urban, and 
 Tribal communities.
 ``

    (4) Grants.--
 ``
        (A) Application.--To be eligible to receive a 
 grant under this subsection, an eligible local 
 educational agency shall submit to the Secretary an 
 application at such time, in such manner, and 
 containing such information as the Secretary may 
 require.
 ``
        (B) Priority.--In making grants under this 
 subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to an 
 eligible local educational agency that demonstrates in 
 the application submitted under subparagraph
        (A) that 
 the grant will be used--
 ``
            (i) to carry out experiential education 
 activities that encourage children enrolled in 
 the eligible local educational agency to 
 participate in food waste measurement and 
 education;
 ``
            (ii) to prioritize the best use of food 
 in accordance with the Wasted Food Scale 
 published by the Administrator of the 
 Environmental Protection Agency;
 ``
            (iii) with respect to food waste 
 prevention and reduction, to collaborate with 
 other eligible local educational agencies, 
 Indian Tribes, food service employees, local 
 health departments, school administrations, 
 nongovernmental and community-based 
 organizations, and other community partners;
 ``
            (iv) to establish a food waste 
 measurement, prevention, and reduction project 
 with long-term sustainability; and
 ``
            (v) to evaluate the activities described 
 in clauses
            (i) through
            (iv) and make evaluation 
 plans.
 ``
            (C) Use of funds.--An eligible local educational 
 agency that receives a grant under this subsection 
 shall use the grant to carry out 1 or more of the 
 following activities:
 ``
            (i) Planning a food waste measurement, 
 prevention, and reduction project.
 ``
            (ii) Implementing a food waste 
 measurement, prevention, and reduction project.
 ``
            (iii) Providing training to support a 
 food waste measurement, prevention, and 
 reduction project.
 ``
            (iv) Purchasing refrigeration or storage 
 equipment to support a food waste measurement, 
 prevention, and reduction project.
 ``
            (v) Offering food waste education to 
 students enrolled in the eligible local 
 educational agency.
 ``
            (D) Cost sharing.--
 ``
            (i) In general.--The amount of a grant 
 provided under this subsection shall not exceed 
 75 percent of the total cost of the project for 
 which the grant is provided.
 ``
            (ii) Non-federal share.--An eligible 
 local educational agency that receives a grant 
 under this subsection shall use non-Federal 
 funds in the form of cash or in-kind 
 contributions, including facilities, equipment, 
 or services provided by State and local 
 governments, nonprofit organizations, and 
 private sources, to pay for the remaining cost 
 of the project for which the grant is provided.
 ``

    (5) Evaluation.--
 ``
        (A) Cooperation.--As a condition of receiving a 
 grant under this subsection, each eligible local 
 educational agency shall agree to cooperate in an 
 evaluation by the Secretary of the project carried out 
 by the eligible local educational agency as part of the 
 evaluation conducted by the Secretary under 
 subparagraph
        (B) .
 ``
        (B) Periodic evaluation.--Not later than 2 years 
 after the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
 Resilience Act of 2025, and every 2 years thereafter, 
 the Secretary shall evaluate the grants provided under 
 this subsection during the preceding 2-year period, 
 including--
 ``
            (i) the amount of Federal funds used to 
 award those grants; and
 ``
            (ii) an evaluation of the outcomes of the 
 projects carried out using those grants.
 ``
            (C) Report.--The Secretary shall submit to 
 Congress a report describing the results of each 
 evaluation carried out under subparagraph
        (B) .''.

    (b) Technical Assistance.--

Section 21

    (b) of the Richard B. Russell 
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769b-1

    (b) ) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (2) , by striking ``and'' at the end;

    (2) in paragraph

    (3) , by striking the period at the end and 
 inserting ``; and''; and

    (3) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (4) food waste measurement, prevention, and reduction.''.

SEC. 715. SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS TO DECREASE INCIDENCE OF 
 FOOD WASTE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall support national media 
campaigns to decrease the incidence of food waste.

    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 716. FOOD WASTE RESEARCH PROGRAM.

    (a) 

=== Definitions. ===
-In this section:

    (1) Liaison.--The term ``Liaison'' means the Food Loss and 
 Waste Reduction Liaison of the Department of Agriculture.

    (2) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the Food Waste 
 Research Program established under subsection

    (b) .

    (3) Regional partner institution.--The term ``regional 
 partner institution'' means an institution selected under 
 subsection
            (d) .

    (b) Establishment.--The Liaison, acting in partnership with the 
regional partner institutions, shall establish and carry out a program, 
to be known as the ``Food Waste Research Program''.
            (c) Program Requirements.--

    (1) Duties.--In carrying out the Program, the Liaison, in 
 partnership with the regional partner institutions, shall--
        (A) plan, conduct, and arrange for public research, 
 data, education, and recommendations within the areas 
 of study described in paragraph

    (2) , as those areas 
 relate to food waste reduction and food recovery issues 
 nationwide, regionally, and locally;
        (B) carry out activities under the Program in a 
 variety of regions of the United States, to be 
 identified and categorized by the Liaison based on the 
 specific food recovery and food waste reduction issues 
 of those regions;
            (C) identify areas to increase efficiency in the 
 allocation of resources and the coordination, 
 cooperation, and consolidation of efforts with respect 
 to local, statewide, Tribal, regional, and Federal food 
 recovery and food waste reduction efforts;
            (D) create a Program website, in accordance with 
 paragraph

    (4) , to disseminate information to the 
 public; and
        (E) collaborate with other institutions of higher 
 education and nonprofit organizations in the regions 
 selected by the Liaison that have demonstrated 
 capability for research, information dissemination, and 
 professional training in order to develop regional 
 networks that are knowledgeable in food waste reduction 
 issues.

    (2) Areas of study.--The areas of study referred to in 
 paragraph

    (1)
        (A) are the following:
        (A) Reducing the volume of surplus food produced.
        (B) Using excess food to feed individuals in need, 
 including through the use of donations of surplus food.
            (C) Diverting food unusable for purposes described 
 in subparagraph
        (B) to feed animals.
            (D) Using food waste to create renewable energy 
 sources.
        (E) Composting food waste to create nutrient-rich 
 soil.
        (F) Diminishing the deposits of food waste in 
 landfills and reducing the incineration of food waste.

    (3) Use of funds.--
        (A) In general.--The Liaison may make funds 
 available under the Program to improve the capacities 
 and facilities of the regional partner institutions to 
 a level that meets the requirements of the role of a 
 regional partner institution.
        (B) Plan.--A regional partner institution may not 
 receive any funding for any facility upgrade under 
 subparagraph
        (A) , unless--
            (i) the regional partner institution 
 submits to the Liaison a plan detailing the 
 type of facility construction or improvements 
 to take place (including any land acquisition, 
 engineering, design, and staffing and equipment 
 needs, in addition to other information as 
 required by the Liaison); and
            (ii) the Liaison approves the plan.
            (C) Non-federal share.--
            (i) Facility improvement.--A regional 
 partner institution shall be required to 
 provide at least a 20-percent non-Federal cost-
 share for any facility improvement or 
 construction project carried out by the 
 regional partner institution under the Program.
            (ii) Operating expenses.--A regional 
 partner institution shall be required to 
 provide at least a 30-percent non-Federal cost-
 share for all Program operating expenses of the 
 regional partner institution.
            (D) Wage rate requirements.--A construction 
 activity carried out pursuant to this subsection shall 
 meet Federal prevailing wage requirements as determined 
 by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter 
 IV of chapter 31 of part A of subtitle II of title 40, 
 United States Code (commonly referred to as the 
 ``Davis-Bacon Act'').

    (4) Website.--The Liaison shall establish a Program 
 website, which shall contain at least the following information 
 with respect to the Program:
        (A) Key findings and best practices.
        (B) A list of collaborations and partnerships.
            (C) Annual reports and other pertinent information 
 relating to Program duties.
            (D) The location and contact information for the 
 regional partner institutions.
        (E) Federal, State, local, and regionally specific 
 public research, data, education, and policy 
 recommendations, to be updated in a timely manner with 
 new information.
        (F) Tools for tracking reduction efforts and 
 measuring food waste production.
            (d) Selection of Regional Partner Institutions.--

    (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
 enactment of this Act, the Liaison shall select 5 regional 
 partner institutions to assist the Liaison in carrying out the 
 Program.

    (2) Criteria.--The Liaison shall select under paragraph

    (1) institutions of higher education that--
        (A) have a focus or expertise in at least 1 area of 
 study described in subsection
            (c) (2) ;
        (B) have the ability to plan, conduct, and arrange 
 for public research, data, education, and 
 recommendations related to food waste reduction and the 
 areas of study described in subsection
            (c) (2) ;
            (C) can assist the Liaison in fulfilling the duties 
 described in subsection
            (c) (1) ;
            (D) can contribute the required non-Federal funding 
 to maintain a regional partner institution center; and
        (E) satisfy any other criteria determined by the 
 Liaison.

    (3) Eligible subawardees.--A State, Tribal, or local 
 government, local educational agency, agricultural or commodity 
 organization, farmer, or other organization focused on food 
 waste prevention may serve as an eligible subawardee of a 
 regional partner institution if the entity meets the 
 requirements described in subparagraphs
        (A) through
            (C) of 
 paragraph

    (2) .

    (4) Employment status.--A member of a regional partner 
 institution shall not be considered to be a Federal employee 
 for any purpose.

    (e) Collaboration.--The Liaison, in conjunction with the 5 regional 
partner institutions, shall collaborate regarding, and share, best 
practices relating to regional, State, Tribal, and locally specific 
food waste and food waste reduction issues with--

    (1) State and county governments;

    (2) Tribal governments;

    (3) units of local government;

    (4) local educational entities;

    (5) institutions of higher education;

    (6) agricultural and commodity organizations;

    (7) farmers; and

    (8) organizations focused on food waste prevention.

    (f) Reporting Requirements.--

    (1) Regional partner institutions.--
        (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
 date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, 
 each regional partnership institution shall submit to 
 the Liaison a report describing the activities, 
 partnerships, collaborations, Federal policy 
 recommendations, previous and continuing budgets, 
 findings, and any other applicable information carried 
 out by the regional partnership institution during the 
 preceding year under the Program.
        (B) Review.--The Liaison shall review the annual 
 reports submitted by regional partner institutions 
 under subparagraph
        (A) to ensure that--
            (i) funds are being used efficiently 
 according to the duties of the Program; and
            (ii) the Program is producing usable public 
 research, data, education, and recommendations 
 relating to food waste and food waste reduction 
 issues.

    (2) Liaison.--Not later than 15 months after the date of 
 enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Liaison 
 shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
 Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the 
 House of Representatives, and publish on the Program website, 
 an annual report containing a compilation of the activities, 
 partnerships, collaborations, Federal policy recommendations, 
 previous and continuing budgets, findings, and any other 
 applicable information relating to the Program with respect to 
 the period covered by the report.
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