,,ii #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #hcg ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,april #be1 #bjac ,mr4 ,harkin 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,leahy1 ,mr4 ,brown1 ,mr4 ,tester1 ,mr4 ,casey1 ,ms4 ,klobuchar1 ,mr4 ,udall of ,new ,mexico1 ,mr4 ,merkley1 ,mr4 ,franken1 and ,mr4 ,johnson of ,south ,dakota7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry ,a ,,bill ,to expand and improve opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,beginning ,farmer and ,rancher ,opportunity ,act of #bjac4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,,title ,i--,conservation ,subtitle ,a--,conservation reserve program ,sec4 #aja4 ,extension of conservation reserve program4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,contracts4 ,subtitle ,b--,farmland protection program ,sec4 #aaa4 ,farmland protection program4 ,subtitle ,c--,environmental quality incentives program ,sec4 #aba4 ,establishment and administration of environmental quality incentives program4 ,sec4 #abb4 ,conservation innovation grants and payments4 ,subtitle ,d--,funding and administration ,sec4 #aca4 ,funding of conservation programs under ,food ,security ,act of #aihe4 ,sec4 #acb4 ,assistance to certain farmers or ranchers for conservation access4 ,sec4 #acc4 ,comprehensive conservation planning4 ,,title ,,ii--,credit ,subtitle ,a--,farm ownership loans ,sec4 #bja4 ,direct farm ownership experience requirement4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,conservation loan and loan guarantee program4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,indexing of direct farm ownership loans4 ,sec4 #bjd4 ,joint financing arrangement4 ,sec4 #bje4 ,loan terms for down payment loan program4 ,sec4 #bjf4 ,limited resource loan rate4 ,sec4 #bjg4 ,definition of qualified beginning farmer or rancher4 ,subtitle ,b--,operating loans ,sec4 #baa4 ,young beginning farmer or rancher microloans4 ,subtitle ,c--,administrative provisions ,sec4 #bba4 ,beginning farmer and rancher individual development accounts pilot program4 ,sec4 #bbb4 ,transition to private commercial or other sources of credit4 ,sec4 #bbc4 ,direct loans for beginning farmers and ranchers4 ,,title ,,iii--,rural development ,sec4 #cja4 ,value-added producer grants4 ,,title ,,iv--,research1 education1 and extension ,sec4 #dja4 ,beginning farmer and rancher development program4 ,sec4 #djb4 ,agriculture and ,food ,research ,initiative4 ,,title ,v--,crop insurance ,sec4 #eja4 ,risk management partnership programs4 ,,title ,,vi--,miscellaneous ,sec4 #fja4 ,military ,veterans ,agricultural ,liaison4 ,sec4 #fjb4 ,budgetary effects4 ,sec4 #fjc4 ,effective date4 ,i ,conservation ,a ,conservation reserve program #aja4 ,extension of conservation reserve program 7a7 ,in general ,section #abca7;a7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chca7;a77 is amended by striking #bjab and inserting #bjah4 7b7 ,land eligible for enrollment in conservation reserve ,section #abca7;b77#a77;,b7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chca7;b77#a77;,b77 is amended by striking ,food1 ,conservation1 and ,energy ,act of #bjjh and inserting ,beginning ,farmer and ,rancher ,opportunity ,act of #bjac4 7c7 ,maximum enrollment of acreage in conservation reserve ,section #abca7;d7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chca7;d77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking the first sentence2 and 7#b7 in the second sentence1 by striking #bjaj1 #bjaa1 and #bjab and inserting #bjaj through #bjah4 7d7 ,pilot program for enrollment of wetland and buffer acreage in conservation reserve ,section #abca;,b of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chca;b7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#a71 by striking #bjab and inserting #bjah2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7b77#a77;,c71 by striking #bjjb through #bjjg and inserting #bjjh through #bjab4 #ajb4 ,contracts ,section #abce of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chce7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7c77#a77;,b71 by striking clause 7iii7 and inserting the following3 7iii7 to facilitate a transition of land subject to the contract from a retired or retiring owner or operator to a beginning farmer or rancher1 socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher1 or limited resource farmer or rancher who is or will be actively engaged in farming or ranching with respect to the land transferred under this subsection for the purpose of returning some or all of the land into production using sustainable grazing or crop production methods that meet or exceed the resource management system quality criteria for erosion1 soil quality1 water quality1 and fish and wildlife2 or 2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7f77#a7-- 7,a7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by striking or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher and inserting socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher1 or limited resource farmer or rancher who is or will be actively engaged in farming or ranching with respect to the land transferred under this subsection2 and 7,b7 by striking subparagraphs 7,c71 7,d71 and 7,e7 and inserting the following3 7,c7 require the covered farmer or rancher to develop and implement a comprehensive conservation plan that addresses all resource concerns and meets such sustainability criteria as the ,secretary may establish2 7,d7 provide to the covered farmer or rancher an opportunity to enroll in the conservation stewardship program or the environmental quality incentives program at any time beginning on the date that is #a year before the date of termination of the contract1 including technical and financial assistance in the development of a comprehensive conservation plan2 7,e7 if the land transferred under this subsection remains in grass cover1 provide to the covered farmer or rancher an opportunity to enroll in a long-term or permanent easement under the grassland reserve program or farmland protection program at any time beginning on the date that is #a year before the date of termination of the contact2 and 7,f7 continue to make annual payments to the retired or retiring owner or operator for not more than an additional #b years after the date of termination of the contract1 except that1 in the case of a retired or retiring owner or operator who is a family member 7as defined in section #ajja7 of the covered farmer or rancher1 the additional payments shall be made only if title to the land is sold or transferred to the covered farmer or rancher on termination of the contract4 4 ,b ,farmland protection program #aaa4 ,farmland protection program ,section #abch;,i of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chch;i7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b71 by inserting to promote farm viability for future generations before the period at the end2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7g77#d7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking and at the end2 7,b7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,c7 as subparagraph 7,d72 and 7,c7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,b7 the following3 7,c7 provide a funding priority1 to the maximum extent practicable1 for-- 7i7 eligible land for which there exists a farm or ranch succession plan or similar plan established to create opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers and encourage farm viability for future generations2 7ii7 easements that exercise an option to purchase at a price that is equal to the agricultural use value2 7iii7 qualified beginning farmers or ranchers with contracts to purchase the land to be protected2 7iv7 land owned by a nongovernmental organization that will be sold to a qualified beginning farmer or rancher2 7v7 contemporaneous farm transfers of eligible land to qualified beginning farmers and ranchers that may not occur without the financial assistance of the program2 and 7vi7 other similar mechanisms to maintain the affordability of farm and ranch land for successive generations of farmers and ranchers2 and 4 ,c ,environmental quality incentives program #aba4 ,establishment and administration of environmental quality incentives program ,section #abdj;,b of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking #bjad and inserting #bjah2 7#b7 in subsection 7d77#d77;,b71 by striking #cj percent and inserting #ej percent2 and 7#c7 in subsection 7f71 by striking #bjab and inserting #bjah4 #abb4 ,conservation innovation grants and payments ,section #abdj;,h of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#h7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#b7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,c71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,d71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,e7 provide environmental and resource conservation benefits through increased participation by beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers4 2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7b77#b71 by striking #bjab and inserting #bjah4 ,d ,funding and administration #aca4 ,funding of conservation programs under ,food ,security ,act of #aihe ,section #abda7;a7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chda7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by inserting and through fiscal year #bjah in the case of the program described in paragraph 7#a77;,b7 after 7#g72 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking subparagraph 7,b7 and inserting the following3 7,b7 #ej1jjj1jjj for the period of fiscal years #bjad through #bjah to carry out section #abce7;f7 to facilitate the transfer of land subject to contracts from retired or retiring owners and operators to beginning farmers or ranchers1 socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers1 or limited resource farmers or ranchers4 4 #acb4 ,assistance to certain farmers or ranchers for conservation access ,section #abda7;g7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chda7;g77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking #bjab and inserting #bjah2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by inserting 7but not earlier than #abj days after the date that funding for the fiscal year is allocated to the ,states7 after ,secretary2 7#c7 in paragraph 7#c71 by inserting 7but not earlier than #abj days after the date that acres for the fiscal year are allocated to the ,states7 after ,secretary2 and 7#d7 by adding at the end the following3 7#d7 ,participation by beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers ,nothing in this subsection prohibits beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers from participating in programs and receiving funding available under this title that is not reserved under paragraph 7#a74 7#e7 ,technical assistance ,within the funds reserved under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall allocate to the ,natural ,resources ,conservation ,service funding for technical assistance at a rate that is not more than #aj percent higher than the rate that would otherwise apply to allow the ,service to provide additional technical assistance to beginning farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers to establish conservation plans4 4 #acc4 ,comprehensive conservation planning ,section #abdd7;a7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chdd7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#c7 ,comprehensive conservation planning ,in carrying out this subsection1 the ,secretary shall provide technical and financial assistance using resources available under the environmental quality incentives program1 conservation stewardship program1 or such other programs as the ,secretary may determine to covered persons who request the assistance to develop a comprehensive conservation plan for the farming or ranching operation of the covered person that addresses all resource concerns and meets such sustainability criteria as the ,secretary may establish4 4 ,,ii ,credit ,a ,farm ownership loans #bja4 ,direct farm ownership experience requirement ,section #cjb7;b77#a7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aibb7;b77#a77 is amended in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a7 by inserting or has other acceptable experience for a period of time1 as determined by the ,secretary1 after #c years4 #bjb4 ,conservation loan and loan guarantee program ,section #cjd of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aibd7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7c77#b7-- 7,a7 by striking shall meet and inserting 8shall-- 7,a7 meet 2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,a7 7as so designated71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,b7 be the owner or operator of not larger than a family farm4 2 7#b7 in subsection 7e7-- 7,a7 by striking ,the portion and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 the portion 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#b7 ,beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers ,in the case of beginning farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers1 the portion of the loan the ,secretary may guarantee under this section shall be #ie percent of the principal amount of the loan4 2 and 7#c7 by striking subsection 7h7 and inserting the following3 7h7 ,funding 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may make or guarantee loans under this section for not more than #bej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjac through #bjah1 of which1 for each fiscal year1 not more than #a_/b shall be used for direct loans and not more than #a_/b shall be used for guaranteed loans4 7#b7 ,qualified beginning farmers and ranchers 7,a7 ,direct loans ,of the amount made available for direct loans for a fiscal year under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall reserve for qualified beginning farmers and ranchers until ,april #a of the fiscal year not less than #ej percent of the amount4 7,b7 ,guaranteed loans ,of the amount made available for guaranteed loans for a fiscal year under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall reserve for qualified beginning farmers and ranchers until ,april #a of the fiscal year not less than #ej percent of the amount4 4 #bjc4 ,indexing of direct farm ownership loans ,section #cje7;a7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aibe7;a77 is amended by inserting 7increased1 beginning with fiscal year #bjad1 by the inflation percentage1 as determined by the ,secretary1 applicable to the fiscal year in which the loan is made7 after #cjj1jjj4 #bjd4 ,joint financing arrangement ,section #cjg7;a77#c77;,d7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aibg7;a77#c77;,d77 is amended by striking #d and inserting #a4e4 #bje4 ,loan terms for down payment loan program ,section #caj;,e7b77#a77;,c7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aice7;b77#a77;,c77 is amended by striking #ejj1jjj and inserting #ffg1jjj4 #bjf4 ,limited resource loan rate ,section #caf7;a77#b77;,b7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aidf7;a77#b77;,b77 is amended by striking #e and inserting #a4e4 #bjg4 ,definition of qualified beginning farmer or rancher ,section #cdc7;a77#aa77;,f7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aiia7;a77#aa77;,f77 is amended by striking median and inserting average4 ,b ,operating loans #baa4 ,young beginning farmer or rancher microloans 7a7 ,in general ,section #caa of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aida7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7d7 ,microloans 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary may establish a program to make or guarantee microloans4 7#b7 ,limitation ,the ,secretary shall not make or guarantee a microloan under this subsection that-- 7,a7 exceeds #ce1jjj2 or 7,b7 would cause the total principal indebtedness outstanding at any time for microloans under this subsection to any one borrower to exceed #gj1jjj4 7#c7 ,applications ,to the maximum extent practicable1 the ,secretary shall limit the administrative burdens and streamline the application and approval process for microloans under this subsection4 7#d7 ,cooperative lending projects 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 the ,secretary may enter into a contract with one or more community-based and nongovernmental organizations1 ,state entities1 or other intermediaries1 as the ,secretary determines appropriate-- 7i7 to make or guarantee a microloan under this subsection2 and 7ii7 to provide business1 financial1 marketing1 and credit management services to borrowers4 7,b7 ,requirements ,before entering into a contract with an entity described in subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary-- 7i7 shall review and approve-- 7,i7 the loan loss reserve fund for microloans established by the entity2 and 7,,ii7 the underwriting standards for microloans of the entity2 and 7ii7 establish such other requirements for contracting with the entity as the ,secretary determines to be necessary4 7,c7 ,revolving fund ,under such conditions as the ,secretary may require1 an entity described in subparagraph 7,a7 that enters into a contract with the ,secretary under this paragraph may elect to convert the loan loss reserve fund for microloans established by the entity into a revolving loan fund to carry out the purposes of this paragraph4 4 7b7 ,exceptions for direct loans ,section #caa7;c7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aida7;c77 is amended by striking paragraph 7#b7 and inserting the following3 7#b7 ,exceptions ,in this subsection1 the term direct operating loan shall not include-- 7,a7 a loan made to a youth under subsection 7b72 or 7,b7 a microloan made to a young beginning farmer or rancher or a military veteran farmer or rancher1 as defined by the ,secretary4 4 7c7 ,purposes of loans ,section #cab7;a7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aidb7;a77 is amended in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a7 by inserting 7including a microloan1 as defined by the ,secretary7 after ,a direct loan4 7d7 ,determination of interest rates ,section #caf7;a77#b7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aidf7;a77#b77 is amended in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a7 by inserting a microloan to a beginning farmer or rancher or military veteran farmer or rancher or after ,the interest rate on4 ,c ,administrative provisions #bba4 ,beginning farmer and rancher individual development accounts pilot program ,section #ccc;,b of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aihc;b7 is amended by striking subsection 7h7 and inserting the following3 7h7 ,funding ,on ,october #a1 #bjac1 and on each ,october #a thereafter through ,october #a1 #bjag1 of the funds of the ,commodity ,credit ,corporation1 the ,secretary shall use to carry out this section #e1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended4 4 #bbb4 ,transition to private commercial or other sources of credit 7a7 ,conditions for direct loans ,section #caa7;c7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aida7;c77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting 2 and2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking 2 or at the end and inserting a period2 and 7,c7 by striking subparagraph 7,c72 and 7#b7 by striking paragraphs 7#c7 and 7#d7 and inserting the following3 7#c7 ,term limits ,subject to paragraph 7#d71 if a farmer or rancher has received a direct operating loan pursuant to this section in each of #i consecutive years1 the farmer or rancher may not receive a direct operating loan from the ,secretary under this section for the next year4 7#d7 ,waivers for farm and ranch operations on tribal land ,the ,secretary shall waive the limitation under paragraph 7#c7 for a direct loan made under this subtitle to a farmer or rancher whose farm or ranch land is subject to the jurisdiction of an ,indian tribe and whose loan is secured by one or more security instruments that are subject to the jurisdiction of an ,indian tribe if the ,secretary determines that commercial credit is not generally available for the farm or ranch operations4 4 7b7 ,limitation on period borrowers are eligible for guaranteed assistance ,section #cai of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aidi7 is amended by striking subsection 7b7 and inserting the following3 7b7 ,limitation on period borrowers are eligible for guaranteed assistance ,if a borrower has received a guaranteed loan under this subtitle in each of #ae consecutive years1 the borrower may not receive a loan guaranteed by the ,secretary for the next year4 4 #bbc4 ,direct loans for beginning farmers and ranchers ,section #cdf7;b77#b77;,a7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aiid7;b77#b77;,a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in clause 7i71 by adding at the end the following3 7,,iii7 ,priority ,in order to maximize the number of borrowers served under this clause1 the ,secretary-- 7aa7 shall give priority to borrowers who apply under the down payment loan program under section #caj;,e or joint financing arrangements under section #cjg7;a77#c77;,d72 and 7bb7 may offer other financing options only if the ,secretary determines that down payment or other participation loan options are not a viable approach for a particular borrower4 2 and 7#b7 in clause 7ii77,,iii71 by striking each of fiscal years #bjjh through #bjab and inserting fiscal year #bjjh and each fiscal year thereafter4 ,,iii ,rural development #cja4 ,value-added producer grants ,section #bca7;b7 of the ,agricultural ,risk ,protection ,act of #bjjj 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #afcb;a7b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking paragraph 7#f7 and inserting the following3 7#f7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 in the case of grants awarded under paragraph 7#a77;,a71 give priority to-- 7i7 operators of small- and medium-sized farms and ranches that are structured as family farms2 or 7ii7 beginning farmers or ranchers or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers2 and 7,b7 in the case of grants awarded under paragraph 7#a77;,b71 give priority to projects that1 as determined through peer review1 best contribute-- 7i7 to increasing opportunities for operators of small- and medium-sized farms and ranches that are structured as family farms2 or 7ii7 to creating opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers4 2 and 7#b7 be redesignating paragraph 7#g7 as paragraph 7#h72 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#f7 the following3 7#g7 ,outreach and technical assistance ,the ,secretary shall develop and implement an outreach and technical assistance strategy to assist recipients of a grant under this subsection reach and serve underserved ,states and communities 7as determined by the ,secretary74 2 and 7#d7 in paragraph 7#h7 7as redesignated by paragraph 7#c77-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 by striking ,october #a1 #bjjh and inserting ,october #a1 #bjab1 and each ,october #a thereafter through ,october #a1 #bjag2 and 7ii7 by striking #ae1jjj1jjj and inserting #cj1jjj1jjj2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking #bjab and inserting #bjah2 and 7,c7 by striking subparagraph 7,c7 and inserting the following3 7,c7 ,priority funding 7i7 ,in general ,in accordance with clause 7ii71 the ,secretary shall1 to the maximum extent practicable1 reserve not less than #b_/c of the amounts made available for each fiscal year under this paragraph to award grants with respect to which priority is given under paragraph 7#f74 7ii7 ,reservation of funds 7,i7 ,in general ,of the amounts reserved under clause 7i7 for each fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall reserve a total of #aj percent to award grants to recipients described in subparagraphs 7,a77ii7 and 7,b77ii7 of paragraph 7#f74 7,,ii7 ,mid-tier value chains ,of the total amount of funds made available for each fiscal year under this paragraph1 the ,secretary shall reserve #aj percent to fund applications of eligible recipients described in paragraph 7#a7 that propose to develop mid-tier value chains4 7,,iii7 ,unobligated amounts ,any amounts reserved for a fiscal year under subclause 7,i7 or 7,,ii7 that are not obligated by the date on which the ,secretary completes the review process for applications submitted under this section in that fiscal year shall be available to the ,secretary to make grants under this subsection to eligible recipients in any ,state1 as determined by the ,secretary4 4 ,,iv ,research1 education1 and extension #dja4 ,beginning farmer and rancher development program ,section #gdje of the ,farm ,security and ,rural ,investment ,act of #bjjb 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ccai;f7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,r7 and inserting the following2 7,a7 basic livestock1 forest management1 and crop farming practices2 7,b7 innovative farm1 ranch1 and private nonindustrial forest land transfer strategies2 7,c7 entrepreneurship and business training2 7,d7 financial and risk management training 7including the acquisition and management of agricultural credit72 7,e7 natural resource management and conservation planning2 7,f7 diversification and marketing strategies2 7,g7 curriculum development2 7,h7 mentoring1 apprenticeships1 and internships2 7,i7 assisting beginning farmers or ranchers in acquiring land from retiring farmers and ranchers2 7,j7 food safety training2 7,k7 agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training for veterans2 and 7,l7 other similar subject areas of use to beginning farmers or ranchers4 2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#d7-- 7i7 by striking ,to be eligible and inserting the following3 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,b71 to be eligible 2 and 7ii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,b7 ,exceptions ,the ,secretary may waive or modify the matching requirement in subparagraph 7,a7 if the ,secretary determines a waiver or modification is necessary to effectively reach an underserved area or population4 2 7,c7 in paragraph 7#h7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking and after the semicolon at the end2 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,c71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,d7 military veteran beginning farmers and ranchers4 2 and 7,d7 by adding at the end the following3 7#aa7 ,indirect costs ,to help facilitate participation in the program under this subsection by nongovernmental and community-based nonprofit organizations1 the ,secretary shall provide for an optional #aj percent indirect cost option in lieu of a higher negotiated rate4 2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7h7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 in the paragraph heading1 by striking for fiscal years #bjji through #bjab2 and 7ii7 by striking section-- and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting section #bj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjad through #bjah42 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7i7 in the paragraph heading1 by striking for fiscal years #bjji through #bjab2 and 7ii7 by striking #bjjh through #bjab and inserting #bjac through #bjah2 and 7,c7 by striking paragraph 7#c74 #djb4 ,agriculture and ,food ,research ,initiative ,subsection 7b7 of the ,competitive1 ,special1 and ,facilities ,research ,grant ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #dej;i7b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking food and agricultural sciences and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following3 food and agricultural sciences 7as defined in section #adjd of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cajc77-- 7,a7 in the case of grant made under paragraph 7#f71 to an entity described in subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71 7,c71 or 7,d7 of that paragraph2 and 7,b7 in the case of any other grant made under this subsection1 to any eligible entity described in paragraph 7#g71 including a grant made for-- 7i7 fundamental research 7as defined in section #bea7;f77#a7 of the ,department of ,agriculture ,reorganization ,act of #aiid 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #figa7;f77#a7772 7ii7 applied research 7as defined in that section72 7iii7 integrated research conducted pursuant to section #djf of the ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,education ,reform ,act of #aiih 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #gfbf72 or 7iv7 integrated research described in clause 7iii7 that is applied or fundamental research4 2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,f7-- 7,a7 by redesignating clauses 7iii7 through 7vi7 as clauses 7iv7 through 7vii71 respectively2 and 7,b7 by inserting after clause 7ii7 the following3 7iii7 new farming opportunities1 including young1 beginning1 socially disadvantaged1 and immigrant issues and farm transition1 farm transfer1 farm entry1 and beginning farmer profitability issues2 2 7#c7 in paragraph 7#g71 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by inserting projects 7including integrated projects7 after education2 and 7#d7 in paragraph 7#aa77;,a71 in the matter preceding clause 7i71 by striking #bjjh through #bjab and inserting #bjac through #bjah4 ,v ,crop insurance #eja4 ,risk management partnership programs ,section #ebb7;d7 of the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aebb7;d77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 by striking priority given to risk and inserting 8priority given to-- 7,a7 risk 2 7,b7 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,b7 underserved producers1 including beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers4 2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7,a7 by striking options for producers and inserting 8options for-- 7,a7 producers 2 7,b7 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,b7 underserved producers1 including beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers4 2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#d7 ,requirements ,in carrying out the programs established under paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c71 the ,secretary shall place special emphasis on risk management techniques1 tools1 and programs that are specifically targeted at-- 7,a7 beginning farmers or ranchers2 7,b7 legal immigrant farmers or ranchers that are attempting to become established agricultural producers in the ,united ,states2 7,c7 socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers2 7,d7 farmers or ranchers that-- 7i7 are preparing to retire2 and 7ii7 are using transition strategies to help new farmers or ranchers get started2 and 7,e7 new or established farmers or ranchers that are converting production and marketing systems to pursue new markets4 4 ,,vi ,miscellaneous #fja4 ,military ,veterans ,agricultural ,liaison 7a7 ,in general ,subtitle ,a of the ,department of ,agriculture ,reorganization ,act of #aiid is amended by inserting after section #bah 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #fiah7 the following3 #bai4 ,military ,veterans ,agricultural ,liaison 7a7 ,authorization ,the ,secretary shall establish in the ,department the position of ,military ,veterans ,agricultural ,liaison4 7b7 ,duties ,the ,military ,veterans ,agricultural ,liaison shall-- 7#a7 provide information to returning veterans about1 and connect returning veterans with1 beginning farmer training and agricultural vocational and rehabilitation programs appropriate to the needs and interests of returning veterans1 including assisting veterans in using ,federal veterans educational benefits for purposes relating to beginning a farming or ranching career2 7#b7 provide information to veterans concerning the availability of and eligibility requirements for participation in agricultural programs1 with particular emphasis on beginning farmer and rancher programs2 7#c7 serving as a resource for assisting veteran farmers and ranchers1 and potential farmers and ranchers1 in applying for participation in agricultural programs2 and 7#d7 advocating on behalf of veterans in interactions with employees of the ,department4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendments ,section #bif7;b7 of the ,department of ,agriculture ,reorganization ,act of #aiid 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #gjad7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#f71 by striking or after the semicolon at the end2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#g71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 or2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#h7 the authority of the ,secretary to establish in the ,department the position of ,military ,veterans ,agricultural ,liaison in accordance with section #bai4 4 #fjb4 ,budgetary effects ,the budgetary effects of this ,act1 for the purpose of complying with the ,statutory ,pay-,as-,you-,go ,act of #bjaj1 shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled ,budgetary ,effects of ,,paygo ,legislation for this ,act1 submitted for printing in the ,congressional ,record by the ,chairman of the ,senate ,budget ,committee1 provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage4 #fjc4 ,effective date ,this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act take effect on ,october #a1 #bjac4