H.R. 3077

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3077 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3077

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

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 29, 2025

Ms. Pingree (for herself, Ms. Jayapal, Ms. Brownley, Ms. Tlaib, Ms. 
Strickland, Mr. Khanna, Ms. Plaskett, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Huffman, Mr. 
Tonko, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Frost, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Mr. Quigley, Ms. 
McCollum, Mr. Connolly, and Ms. Hoyle of Oregon) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and 
in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Energy and 
Commerce, House Administration, and Oversight and Government Reform, 
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case 
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of 
the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

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 dates and discard dates.
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 to consumers when--
(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 is used on a food 
package, such quality date shall be proceeded by the uniform 
quality date label phrase under paragraph (2).
(2) Uniform phrase.--The uniform quality date label phrase 
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 entity responsible for food label.--The 
decisions of whether to include a quality date or 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 is used on food 
packaging, such discard date shall be proceeded by the uniform 
discard date label phrase under paragraph (2).
(2) Uniform phrase.--The uniform discard date label phrase 
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 entity responsible for food label.--The 
decisions of whether to include a discard date or 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 or discard date, 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 package.
(2) Date format.--The format of each quality date and 
discard date that follows the quality date phrase and discard 
date phrase, as applicable, shall be stated in terms of month 
and year or, 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 technology and additional labels.--The labeling 
required under this subsection may utilize time-temperature 
indicator labels, QR codes, smart labels, or similar 
technology, in addition to any uniform quality date label 
phrase under subsection (a)(2) or uniform discard label phrase 
under subsection (b)(2). Nothing in this Act or an amendment 
made by this Act prohibits or restricts the use of such 
technology or labeling in lieu of any uniform quality date 
label phrase under subsection (a)(2) or uniform discard date 
label phrase under subsection (b)(2).
(5) Freeze by.--The entity responsible for the food label 
may add ``or Freeze By'' following a uniform quality date label 
phrase or discard date label 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 
Act or an amendment made by this Act 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 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 quality date.
(4) Enforcement.--The administering Secretaries, acting 
jointly and in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission, 
shall ensure that the uniform quality date label phrase and 
uniform discard date label phrase are standardized across all 
food products.
(5) Savings provision.--Notwithstanding paragraph (4), 
nothing in this title, any amendment made by this title, or any 
standard or requirement imposed pursuant to this title 
preempts, displaces, or supplants any State or Federal common 
law right or any State or Federal common law or any State or 
Federal statute creating a remedy for civil relief, including 
under the Federal Trade Commission Act 36 (15 U.S.C. 41 et 
seq.).
(6) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
be construed to--
(A) authorize the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services to require that a food be labeled for quality 
standards or for a discard date as described in 
subsections (a) and (b); or
(B) preempt a State from setting requirements for a 
quality date or discard date or a timeline of quality, 
listed on a food label, provided that the requirement 
complies with the uniform quality data phrase or 
discard date phrase specified in subsection (a)(2) or 
(b)(2).

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 that is in violation of section 702 of the Agriculture 
Resilience Act of 2025.''.
(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 its labeling is in violation of section 702 of 
the Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025.''.
(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 its labeling is in violation of section 702 of 
the Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025.''.
(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 its labeling is in violation of section 702 of the Agriculture 
Resilience Act of 2025'' 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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