HR 5915 — Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act of 2023

(a) Establishment of grant program (1) In order to promote research in food, agriculture, and related areas, a research grants program is hereby established in the Department of Agriculture. (2) Short Title.— This section may be cited as the “Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act”. (b) Agriculture and food research initiative (1) Establishment There is established in the Department of Agriculture an Agriculture and Food Research Initiative under which the Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this subsection as “the Secretary”) may make competitive grants for fundamental and applied research, extension, and education to address food and agricultural sciences (as defined under section 3103 of this title). (2) Priority areas The competitive grants program established under this subsection shall address the following areas: (A) Plant health and production and plant products Plant systems, including— (i) plant genome structure and function; (ii) molecular and cellular genetics and plant biotechnology; (iii) conventional breeding, including cultivar and breed development, selection theory, applied quantitative genetics, breeding for improved food quality, breeding for improved local adaptation to biotic stress and abiotic stress, and participatory breeding; (iv) plant-pest interactions and biocontrol systems; (v) crop plant response to environmental stresses; (vi) unproved nutrient qualities of plant products; and (vii) new food and industrial uses of plant products. (B) Animal health and production and animal products Animal systems, including— (i) aquaculture; (ii) cellular and molecular basis of animal reproduction, growth, disease, and health; (iii) animal biotechnology; (iv) conventional breeding, including breed development, selection theory, applied quantitative genetics, breeding for improved food quality, breeding for improved local adaptation to biotic stress and abiotic stress, and participatory breeding; (v) identification of genes responsible for improved production traits and resistance to disease; (vi) improved nutritional performance of animals; (vii) improved nutrient qualities of animal products and uses; (viii) the development of new and improved animal husbandry and production systems that take into account production efficiency, animal well-being, and animal systems applicable to aquaculture; (ix) the research and development of surveillance methods, vaccines, vaccination delivery systems, or diagnostic tests for pests and diseases, including— (I) epizootic diseases in domestic livestock (including deer, elk, bison, and other animals of the family Cervidae); and (II) zoonotic diseases (including bovine brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis) in domestic livestock or wildlife reservoirs that present a potential concern to public health; and (x) the identification of animal drug needs and the generation and dissemination of data for safe and effective therapeutic applications of animal drugs for minor species and minor uses of such drugs in major species. (C) Food safety, nutrition, and health Nutrition, food safety and quality, and health, including— (i) microbial contaminants and pesticides residue relating to human health; (ii) links between diet and health; (iii) bioavailability of nutrients; (iv) postharvest physiology and practices; and (v) improved processing technologies. (D) Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment Natural resources and the environment, including— (i) fundamental structures and functions of ecosystems; (ii) biological and physical bases of sustainable production systems; (iii) soil health; (iv) minimizing soil and water losses and sustaining surface water and ground water quality; (v) the effectiveness of conservation practices and technologies designed to address nutrient losses and improve water quality; (vi) global climate effects on agriculture; (vii) forestry; and (viii) biological diversity. (E) Agriculture systems and technology Engineering, products, and...

(a) Competitive research and extension grants authorized In consultation with the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee established under section 6923(b) of this title, the Secretary may make competitive grants to support research, education, and extension activities for the purposes of facilitating the development of urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production, harvesting, transportation, aggregation, packaging, distribution, and markets, including by— (1) assessing and developing strategies to remediate contaminated sites; (2) determining and developing the best production management and integrated pest management practices; (3) identifying and promoting the horticultural, social, and economic factors that contribute to successful urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production; (4) analyzing the means by which new agricultural sites are determined, including an evaluation of soil quality, condition of a building, or local community needs; (5) exploring new technologies that minimize energy, lighting systems, water, and other inputs for increased food production; (6) examining building material efficiencies and structural upgrades for the purpose of optimizing growth of agricultural products; (7) developing new crop varieties and agricultural products to connect to new markets; or (8) examining the impacts of crop exposure to urban elements on environmental quality and food safety. (b) Grant types and process Subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (4), paragraph (7), and paragraph (11)(B) of subsection (b) of section 3157 of this title shall apply with respect to the making of grants under this section. (c) Priority The Secretary may give priority to grant proposals that involve— (1) the cooperation of multiple entities; or (2) States or regions with a high concentration of or significant interest in urban farms, rooftop farms, and indoor production facilities. (d) Funding (1) Mandatory funding Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section— (A) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, to remain available until expended; and (B) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2031. (2) Authorization of appropriations In addition to amounts made available under paragraph (1), there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.

(a) Office (1) In general The Secretary shall establish in the Department an Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. (2) Director The Secretary shall appoint a senior official to serve as the Director of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (referred to in this section as the “Director”). (3) Mission The mission of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production shall be to encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices, including— (A) community gardens and farms located in urban areas, suburbs, and urban clusters; (B) rooftop farms, outdoor vertical production, and green walls; (C) indoor farms, greenhouses, and high-tech vertical technology farms; (D) hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic farm facilities; and (E) other innovations in agricultural production, as determined by the Secretary. (4) Responsibilities The Director shall be responsible for engaging in activities to carry out the mission described in paragraph (3), including by— (A) managing programs, including for community gardens, urban farms, rooftop agriculture, and indoor vertical production; (B) advising the Secretary; (C) coordinating with the agencies and officials of the Department to update relevant programs; (D) engaging in stakeholder relations and developing external partnerships; (E) identifying common State and municipal best practices for navigating local policies; (F) coordinating networks of community gardens and facilitating connections to local food banks, in partnership with the Food and Nutrition Service; and (G) collaborating with other Federal agencies. (b) Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (1) In general Not later than 180 days after December 20, 2018, the Secretary shall establish an Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (referred to in this subsection as the “Committee”) to advise the Secretary on— (A) the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices; and (B) any other aspects of the implementation of this section. (2) Membership (A) In general The Committee shall be composed of 12 members, of whom— (i) 4 shall be individuals who are agricultural producers, of whom— (I) 2 individuals shall be agricultural producers located in an urban area or urban cluster; and (II) 2 individuals shall be farmers that use innovative technology; (ii) 2 shall be representatives from an institution of higher education or extension program; (iii) 1 shall be an individual who represents a nonprofit organization, which may include a public health, environmental, or community organization; (iv) 1 shall be an individual who represents business and economic development, which may include a business development entity, a chamber of commerce, a city government, or a planning organization; (v) 1 shall be an individual with supply chain experience, which may include a food aggregator, wholesale food distributor, food hub, or an individual who has direct-to-consumer market experience; (vi) 1 shall be an individual from a financing entity; and (vii) 2 shall be individuals with related experience or expertise in urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture production practices, as determined by the Secretary. (B) Initial appointments The Secretary shall appoint the members of the Committee not later than 180 days after December 20, 2018. (3) Period of appointment; vacancies (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a member of the Committee shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. (B) Initial appointments Of the members first appointed to the Committee— (i) 4 of the members, as determined by the Secretary, shall be appointed for a term of 3 years; (ii) 4 of the members, as determined by the Secretary, shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and (iii) 4 of the members, as determined by the Secretary, shall be appointed for a term of 1 year. (C) Vacancies ...