,i #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #dcaf ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,november #h1 #bjag ,mr4 ,walz 7for himself and ,mr4 ,fortenberry7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,appropriations1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to provide for the reform and continuation of the beginning farmer and rancher program1 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 #bjag4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,title ,i--,conservation ,sec4 #aja4 ,conservation reserve4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,contracts4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,establishment and administration of environmental quality incentives program4 ,sec4 #ajd4 ,conservation innovation grants and payments4 ,sec4 #aje4 ,commodity ,credit ,corporation4 ,sec4 #ajf4 ,agricultural land easements4 ,title ,,ii--,credit ,sec4 #bja4 ,adjustment of maximum limit on amount of direct farm ownership loans for regional farm real estate inflation2 authority to make or guarantee farm ownership microloans4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,cooperative agreements4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,borrower training4 ,sec4 #bjd4 ,funding of individual development accounts4 ,title ,,iii--,rural development ,sec4 #cja4 ,rural microentrepreneur assistance program4 ,title ,,iv--,research1 ,education1 and ,extension ,sec4 #dja4 ,beginning farmer and rancher development program4 ,sec4 #djb4 ,agriculture and ,food ,research ,initiative4 ,sec4 #djc4 ,farmland tenure4 ,title ,v--,crop ,insurance ,sec4 #eja4 ,consistent beginning farmer and rancher definition under ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act4 ,sec4 #ejb4 ,risk management partnership programs4 ,sec4 #ejc4 ,funding for crop insurance research1 development1 and maintenance costs4 ,sec4 #ejd4 ,crop insurance education and information for producers4 ,sec4 #eje4 ,beginning farmer and rancher disaster assistance4 ,sec4 #ejf4 ,beginning farmer and rancher crop insurance study4 ,title ,,vi--,miscellaneous ,sec4 #fja4 ,small and beginning farmer and rancher coordinators4 ,i ,conservation #aja4 ,conservation reserve ,section #abca of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chca7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc2 7#b7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#e77;,b77ii71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#f7 land that is transitioning under the terms of section #abce7;f74 2 and 7#c7 in subsection 7d71 by adding at the end the following3 7#c7 ,transition options ,for the purposes of applying the limitations in paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall not count acres transitioning under the terms of section #abce7;f74 4 #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;,b77iii71 by striking a retired or retiring owner or operator and inserting an eligible landowner 7as defined in section #abce7;f77#a77;,a772 7#b7 in subsection 7f7-- 7,a7 in the heading by striking ,option and inserting ,options2 7,b7 by striking paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b71 and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,definitions 7,a7 ,eligible landowner ,in this subsection1 the term eligible landowner means a landowner who is-- 7i7 a current contract holder under the conservation reserve program2 and 7ii7 in the case of the transition of farmland through a long-term lease or rental agreement as outlined in paragraph 7#b77;,a77ii71 at least #fe years of age4 7,b7 ,covered farmer ,in this subsection1 the term covered farmer means a beginning farmer or rancher1 a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher1 or a veteran farmer or rancher 7as defined in section #beja7;e7 of the ,food1 ,agriculture1 ,conservation1 and ,trade ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bbgi7;e7771 who is not a family member 7as defined in section #ajja of this ,act7 of the eligible landowner4 7#b7 ,transition to covered farmer ,in the case of a contract modification approved in order to facilitate the transfer of land subject to a contract from an eligible landowner to a covered farmer1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 allow the eligible landowner to terminate the contract up to-- 7i7 #c years early1 without penalty1 and beginning on the date of termination1 sell to the covered farmer the land subject to the contract for production purposes2 or 7ii7 #b years early1 without penalty1 and beginning on the date of termination1 lease 7under a long-term lease or a lease with an option to purchase7 to the covered farmer the land subject to the contract for production purposes2 7,b7 beginning on the date that is #b years before the date of termination of the contract-- 7i7 allow the covered farmer1 in conjunction with the eligible landowner1 to make conservation and land improvements1 including preparing to plant an agricultural crop2 and 7ii7 allow the covered farmer to begin the certification process under the ,organic ,foods ,production ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #feja et seq472 7,c7 require the covered farmer 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 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 provide the covered farmer with the option to reenroll any applicable partial field conservation practice that-- 7i7 is eligible for enrollment under the continuous signup option pursuant to section #abcd7;d77#b77;,a77ii72 and 7ii7 is part of an approved conservation plan2 and 7,f7 continue to make annual payments to the eligible landowner for not more than-- 7i7 an additional #c years after the date of termination of the contract in the case of the sale of farmland to the covered farmer2 or 7ii7 an additional #b years after the date of termination of the contract in the case of a long-term lease of farmland to the covered farmer4 4 #ajc4 ,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 #bjae and inserting #bjbc2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7d77#d77;,b7-- 7,a7 in clause 7i7-- 7i7 by striking ,not more than and inserting ,the ,secretary shall provide at least2 and 7ii7 by striking may be provided in advance for the purpose of and inserting in advance for all costs related to2 and 7,b7 in clause 7ii71 by striking #ij-;day and inserting #ahj-;day4 #ajd4 ,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 in-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#b77;,d71 by inserting and by beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers after specialty crops2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7b77#b71 by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc4 #aje4 ,commodity ,credit ,corporation ,section #abda of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chda7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7ii7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,b7 as subparagraph 7,c7 and inserting after subparagraph 7,a7 the following3 7,b7 such sums as are necessary to carry out section #abce7;f7 to facilitate the transfer of land subject to contracts under the conservation reserve program from an eligible landowner to beginning farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers2 and 2 and 7iii7 in subparagraph 7,c7 7as so redesignated7-- 7,i7 by striking #cc1jjj1jjj and inserting #e1jjj1jjj2 and 7,,ii7 by striking #bjad through #bjah and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting #bjai through #bjbc for outreach and technical assistance in carrying out section #abce7;f742 and 7#b7 in subsection 7h77#a7-- 7,a7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking #e percent and inserting #ae percent2 and 7,c7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking #e percent and inserting #ae percent4 #ajf4 ,agricultural land easements ,section #abfe;,b7b77#c7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chfe;b7b77#c77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7,d7 ,priority ,in evaluating applications under the program1 the ,secretary shall give priority to an application for the purchase of an agricultural land easement that-- 7i7 maintains agricultural viability1 as determined by the ,secretary2 or 7ii7 includes1 as a condition of the easement1 a requirement that any subsequent purchase of the land subject to the easement shall be at agricultural value4 4 ,,ii ,credit #bja4 ,adjustment of maximum limit on amount of direct farm ownership loans for regional farm real estate inflation2 authority to make or guarantee farm ownership microloans ,section #cje of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aibe7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by striking #cjj1jjj and inserting #ejj1jjj 7increased1 beginning with fiscal year #bjai1 by the regional farm real estate inflation percentage applicable to the location where the farm involved is located for the fiscal year in which the loan is made1 and decreased by the amount of any unpaid indebtedness of the borrower on direct loans under subtitle ,b72 and 7,b7 by inserting cost before inflation percentage2 7#b7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 in the subsection heading1 by striking ,inflation percentage and inserting ,cost inflation percentage2 and 7,b7 in the text1 by inserting cost before inflation percentage2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7d7 ,regional farm real estate inflation percentage 7#a7 ,in general ,for purposes of this section1 the regional farm real estate inflation percentage applicable to a farm for a fiscal year is the percentage 7if any7 by which-- 7,a7 the regional farm real estate inflation index developed under paragraph 7#b7 for the region in which the farm is located1 for the #ab-month period ending on ,august #ca of the immediately preceding fiscal year2 exceeds 7,b7 the average of the index 7as so defined7 for the #ab-month period ending on ,august #ca1 #bjah4 7#b7 ,development ,the ,secretary shall develop a regional farm real estate inflation index for measuring periodic changes in the price of farm real estate in each geographic region of the ,united ,states1 using data from the ,national ,agricultural ,statistics ,service4 7e7 ,microloans 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary may establish a program to make or guarantee microloans4 7#b7 ,limitations ,the ,secretary shall not make or guarantee a microloan under this subsection that would cause the total principal indebtedness outstanding at any #a time for microloans made under this subtitle to any #a borrower to exceed #ej1jjj4 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 4 #bjb4 ,cooperative agreements ,section #cac7;c7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aidc7;c77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking title and inserting subtitle2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#d7-- 7,a7 in the paragraph heading1 by striking lending pilot projects and inserting agreements2 7,b7 by striking subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,c7 and inserting the following3 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 during each of the #bjah through #bjbc fiscal years1 the ,secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with community development financial institutions and nonprofit organizations1 as the ,secretary determines appropriate1 to provide business1 financial1 marketing1 and credit management services and technical assistance to microloan borrowers4 7,b7 ,eligibility ,to be eligible for a cooperative agreement under subparagraph 7,a71 an institution described in subparagraph 7,a7 shall1 as determined by the ,secretary-- 7i7 have a proven track record of successfully assisting agricultural borrowers2 and 7ii7 have the services of a staff with appropriate expertise in business1 financial1 marketing1 credit management services1 and technical assistance4 2 7#c7 in subparagraph 7,d7-- 7,a7 by striking 7,d7 and inserting 7,c72 and 7,b7 by striking loan and inserting cooperative agreement2 and 7#d7 by striking subparagraph 7,e74 #bjc4 ,borrower training ,section #cei of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjf;a7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7g7 ,coordination ,the ,secretary shall ensure1 to the maximum extent practicable1 that financial management training programs funded under the beginning farmer and rancher development program under section #gdje of the ,farm ,security and ,rural ,investment ,act of #bjjb are designed so that-- 7#a7 successful completion of such a financial management training program will satisfy the borrower training requirements under this section2 and 7#b7 a contract to provide such a financial management training program may be entered into under subsection 7b74 4 #bjd4 ,funding of individual development accounts ,section #ccc;,b7h7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aihc;b7h77 is amended to read as follows3 7h7 ,authorization of appropriations ,in addition to any amounts provided under section #gdje of the ,farm ,security and ,rural ,investment ,act of #bjjb 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ccai;f7 for such purpose1 there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #e1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 4 ,,iii ,rural development #cja4 ,rural microentrepreneur assistance program ,section #cgi;,e7d7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjhs7d77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking paragraph 7#a7 and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,mandatory funding ,of the funds of the ,commodity ,credit ,corporation1 the ,secretary shall use #e1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc to carry out this section1 to remain available until expended4 2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking #bjji through #bjah and inserting #bjai through #bjbc4 ,,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 by striking subsection 7b7 and redesignating subsection 7c7 as subsection 7b72 7#b7 in subsection 7b71 as so redesignated-- 7,a7 in the heading1 by striking ,grants and inserting ,programs2 7,b7 by amending paragraph 7#a7 to read as follows3 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a beginning farmer and rancher development program to provide training1 education1 outreach1 and technical assistance initiatives to increase opportunities for beginning farmers or ranchers4 2 7,c7 by inserting or cooperative agreements after grants each place it appears2 7,d7 by inserting or cooperative agreement after grant each place it appears2 7,e7 by striking subsection each place it appears and inserting section2 7,f7 in paragraph 7#c77;,a71 by striking ,a grant and inserting ,except as provided in subsections 7e7 and 7h71 a grant2 7,g7 in paragraph 7#e7-- 7i7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,e7 and 7,f7 as subparagraphs 7,f7 and 7,g71 respectively2 and 7ii7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,d7 the following new subparagraph3 7,e7 degree of involvement of farmers in project design1 implementation1 and decision-making2 2 and 7,h7 by striking paragraphs 7#d71 7#h71 and 7#aa7 and redesignating paragraphs 7#e71 7#f71 7#g71 7#i71 and 7#aj7 as paragraphs 7#d71 7#e71 7#f71 7#g71 and 7#h71 respectively2 7#c7 by inserting after subsection 7b71 as so redesignated1 the following new subsection3 7c7 ,grant requirements 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out this subsection1 the ,secretary shall make competitive grants to support new and established local and regional training1 education1 outreach1 and technical assistance initiatives to increase opportunities for beginning farmers or ranchers1 including programs and services 7as appropriate7 relating to-- 7,a7 basic livestock1 forest management and crop farming practices2 7,b7 innovative farm1 ranch1 and private nonindustrial forest land access1 and transfer and succession strategies and programs2 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 planning2 7,f7 diversification and marketing strategies2 7,g7 curriculum development2 7,h7 mentoring1 apprenticeships1 and internships2 7,i7 resources and referral2 7,j7 farm financial benchmarking2 7,k7 technical assistance to help beginning farmers or ranchers in acquiring land from retiring farmers and ranchers2 7,l7 agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training for veterans2 7,m7 food safety 7including good agricultural practices training72 7,n7 farm safety and awareness2 and 7,o7 other similar subject areas of use to beginning farmers or ranchers4 7#b7 ,set-aside 7,a7 ,in general ,not less than #e percent of the funds used to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year shall be used to support programs and services that specifically focus on addressing the needs of-- 7i7 limited resource beginning farmers or ranchers 7as defined by the ,secretary72 7ii7 socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers 7as defined in section #cee7;e7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjc7;e77 who are beginning farmers and ranchers2 and 7iii7 farmworkers desiring to become farmers or ranchers4 7,b7 ,veteran farmers and ranchers ,not less than #e percent of the funds used to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year shall be used to support programs and services that specifically focus on addressing the needs of veteran farmers and ranchers 7as defined in section #beja7;e7 of the ,food1 ,agriculture1 ,conservation1 and ,trade ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bbgi7;e774 7#c7 ,limitation on indirect costs ,a recipient of a grant under this subsection may not use more than #ae percent of the grant funds for the indirect costs of carrying out the initiatives described in paragraph 7#a74 2 7#d7 in subsection 7d7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 by striking and conduct and inserting 1 conduct2 and 7ii7 by striking the period at the end and inserting 1 or provide training and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers or ranchers or for trainers and service providers that work with beginning farmers or ranchers42 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7i7 by inserting 1 educational programs and workshops1 or training and technical assistance initiatives after curricula2 and 7ii7 by striking modules and inserting content2 7,c7 by amending paragraph 7#d7 to read as follows3 7#d7 ,cooperative agreement ,notwithstanding chapter #fc of title #ca1 the ,secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement to reflect the terms of any cooperation under this subsection4 2 7#e7 in subsection 7e7-- 7,a7 by striking ,the ,secretary shall and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following new paragraphs3 7#b7 ,funds ,the ,secretary shall not use more than #ajj1jjj each year to support the activities under this subsection4 7#c7 ,review ,the ,secretary shall review the activities and performance of the clearinghouse under this section every #e years4 7#d7 ,cooperative agreement ,notwithstanding chapter #fc of title #ca1 the ,secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement to reflect the terms of any cooperation under this subsection4 2 7#f7 in subsection 7g7-- 7,a7 by inserting 7including retiring farmers and non-farming landowners7 before from participating in programs2 and 7,b7 by striking educating and inserting increasing opportunities for2 7#g7 by redesignating subsection 7h7 as subsection 7i71 and inserting after subsection 7g7 the following new subsection3 7h7 ,individual development accounts 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may transfer up to #aj1jjj1jjj 7plus allocable costs7 per year of funds made available under this section for individual development accounts as authorized under section #ccc;,b of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aihc;b74 7#b7 ,administrative cost ,the ,secretary may not use more than #d percent of the funds transferred under this subsection for administrative costs incurred in implementing the individual development accounts authorized under section #ccc;,b of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aihc;b74 2 and 7#h7 in subsection 7i71 as so redesignated-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 in the heading1 by striking for fiscal years #bjji through #bjah2 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking and at the end2 7iii7 in subparagraph 7,c71 by striking 1 to remain available until expended4 and inserting a semicolon2 and 7iv7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs3 7,d7 #cj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbj2 7,e7 #dj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbb2 and 7,f7 #ej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbc and each fiscal year thereafter1 to remain available until expended4 2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7i7 in the paragraph heading1 by striking for fiscal years #bjad through #bjah2 and 7ii7 by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc4 #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#b77;,f7-- 7,a7 in clause 7vi71 by striking and2 7,b7 in clause 7vii71 by striking the period and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7viii7 barriers and bridges to entry and farm viability for young1 beginning1 socially disadvantaged1 veteran1 and immigrant farmers and ranchers1 including farm succession1 transition1 transfer1 entry1 and profitability issues4 2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#aa77;,a7-- 7,a7 in the matter preceding clause 7i71 by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc2 and 7,b7 in clause 7i71 by striking pursuant to and inserting as defined in4 #djc4 ,farmland tenure 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall collect and report data and analysis on farmland ownership1 tenure1 transition1 and entry of beginning farmers4 7b7 ,requirements ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall1 at a minimum-- 7#a7 collect and distribute comprehensive annual reporting of trends in farmland ownership1 tenure1 transition1 barriers to entry1 profitability and viability of beginning farmers2 7#b7 develop surveys and report statistical and economic analysis on farmland ownership1 tenure1 transition1 barriers to entry1 profitability and viability of beginning farmers1 including a regular follow-on survey to each ,census of ,agriculture2 and 7#c7 authorize the ,national ,agricultural ,statistics ,service to create and administer a follow-on survey to the ,tenure1 ,ownership1 and ,transition of ,agricultural ,land survey to-- 7,a7 investigate the extent to which non-farming landowners are purchasing and holding onto farmland for the sole purpose of real estate investment2 and 7,b7 the impact of these farmland ownership trends on the successful entry and viability of beginning farmers4 7c7 ,funding ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #b1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc1 to remain available until expended4 ,v ,crop ,insurance #eja4 ,consistent beginning farmer and rancher definition under ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act ,section #ejb7;b77#c7 of the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aejb7;b77#c77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking landlord2 and 7#b7 by striking #e crop years and inserting #aj crop years4 #ejb4 ,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#a77;,a71 by inserting after risk management tools the second place it appears the following3 for underserved producers1 including beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by inserting after risk management and marketing options the following3 for underserved producers1 including beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and2 7#c7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,f71 by inserting after financial management the following3 7including to meet insurance product record keeping requirements72 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,h7 by inserting after to develop the following3 value-added1 diversification1 and2 and 7#d7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 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 intended for underserved producers1 including beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers4 4 #ejc4 ,funding for crop insurance research1 development1 and maintenance costs ,section #ebb7;e7 of the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aebb7;e77 is amended by striking paragraph 7#c74 #ejd4 ,crop insurance education and information for producers ,section #ebd7;a7 of the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aebd7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#c77;,a71 by inserting after benchmarking the following3 1 crop enterprise1 and market diversification2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#d7-- 7,a7 by striking and at the end of subparagraph 7,d77i72 7,b7 by striking the period at the end of subparagraph 7,e7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,f7 farmers and ranchers that are considering whole-farm based revenue products4 4 #eje4 ,beginning farmer and rancher disaster assistance ,section #aif of the ,federal ,agriculture ,improvement and ,reform ,act of #aiif 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #gccc7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#b71 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,d7 ,inclusion of beginning farmers and ranchers ,the term eligible crop includes each commercial crop or other agricultural commodity 7except livestock7 produced by a beginning farmer or rancher1 even though the commercial crop or other agricultural commodity fails to satisfy clause 7i7 or 7ii7 of subparagraph 7,a71 if the beginning farmer or rancher is ineligible for a whole farm diversified risk management insurance plan under the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act due to lack of production or revenue history4 2 7#b7 in subsection 7e71 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#g7 ,special rule for beginning farmers and ranchers ,if the eligible producer is a beginning farmer or rancher 7as defined in section #ejb7;b77#c771 and was previously involved in a farming operation1 including involvement in the decision making or physical involvement in the production of the crop or livestock on the farm1 for any acreage obtained by the beginning farmer or rancher1 a yield or revenue shall be used that is the higher of-- 7,a7 the actual production of the previous producer of the crop on the acreage determined under subparagraph 7#b72 or 7,b7 the yield or revenue of the producer1 as determined under paragraph 7#c74 2 7#c7 in subsection 7k77#a7-- 7,a7 by striking for an eligible crop2 and 7,b7 by striking for the eligible crop2 7#d7 in subsection 7l7-- 7,a7 by striking paragraphs 7#c7 and 7#e72 and 7,b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#b7 the following new paragraph 7#c73 7#c7 ,delegation ,the ,secretary may delegate the authority for determining the average market price 7including the direct market price and the organic price7 for a crop to a ,state ,farm ,service ,agency administrator when sufficient data is available to develop an average market price based on ,state level data for the crop4 2 and 7#e7 by adding at the end the following new subsections3 7m7 ,additional ,beginning ,farmer ,provisions 7#a7 ,eligibility ,notwithstanding any other provisions of this section1 the following additional coverage shall be made available to any beginning farmer or rancher for up to the longer of the following3 7,a7 ,four years4 7,b7 ,the requisite number of years of revenue history required for the farmer or rancher to qualify for revenue coverage offered under the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act4 7#b7 ,coverage ,additional coverage shall be available to beginning farmers and ranchers under this subsection up to #ge percent1 as elected by the farmer or rancher and specified in #e-percent increments4 7n7 ,revenue coverage 7#a7 ,availability ,eligible producers may elect revenue coverage under this subsection only when the total acres in which they have a risk do not exceed five acres in a county4 ,if revenue coverage is elected1 that election shall apply to all eligible crops and commodities on a farm4 7#b7 ,payment ,the ,secretary shall make available noninsured assistance under this subsection at a payment amount equivalent to the amount that-- 7,a7 the expected revenue for the farm1 as determined by the ,secretary1 multiplied by the coverage level elected by the producer1 which is-- 7i7 for catastrophic level coverage1 #bg4e percent2 or 7ii7 for additional levels of coverage1 the amount elected by the producer1 from #ej to #fe percent1 or from #ej to #ge percent for a beginning farmer or rancher 7as defined in section #ejb7;b77#c772 exceeds 7,b7 the actual revenue for the farm1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,service fee ,to be eligible to receive a payment under this subsection1 the producer must pay the service fee required by subsection 7k74 7#d7 ,premium ,to be eligible to receive a payment under the additional levels of coverage in paragraph 7#b77;,b77ii71 the producer must pay a premium equal to-- 7,a7 the lesser of-- 7i7 the sum of the premiums for each eligible farm1 with the premium for each eligible farm obtained by multiplying-- 7,i7 the expected revenue for the farm1 as determined by the ,secretary2 7,,ii7 the coverage level elected by the producer2 and 7,,iii7 a #e4be-percent premium fee2 or 7ii7 the product obtained by multiplying-- 7,i7 a #e4be-percent premium fee2 and 7,,ii7 the applicable payment limit4 7#e7 ,records ,if revenue coverage is elected1 a producer is not required to provide an acreage report under subsection 7b77#c71 but the producer must provide a ,farm ,operation ,report and tax records for prior years1 as determined by the ,secretary4 4 #ejf4 ,beginning farmer and rancher crop insurance study ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture shall submit to ,congress a report identifying-- 7#a7 the barriers that exist to prevent or hinder the ability of beginning farmers and ranchers in accessing whole farm revenue insurance and other crop insurance products available under the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act2 and 7#b7 the regulatory or operational changes that are necessary to provide beginning farmers and ranchers with full1 unhindered access to these crop insurance products4 ,,vi ,miscellaneous #fja4 ,small and beginning farmer and rancher coordinators ,section #bbf of the ,department of ,agriculture ,reorganization ,act of #aiid 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ficd7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7i7 ,state small and beginning farmer and rancher coordinator 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,agency shall designate a ,state small and beginning farmer and rancher coordinator from among the ,state office employees of the ,farm ,service ,agency1 the ,natural ,resources ,conservation ,service1 the ,risk ,management ,agency1 the ,rural ,business-,cooperative ,service1 and the ,rural ,utilities ,service4 7#b7 ,training ,the ,agency shall coordinate the development of a training plan so that each ,state coordinator shall receive sufficient training to have a general working knowledge of the programs and services available from each agency of the ,department to assist small and beginning farmers and ranchers4 7#c7 ,duties ,the coordinator shall-- 7,a7 coordinate technical assistance at the ,state level to help small farms and beginning farmers and ranchers gain access to programs of the ,department2 7,b7 develop and submit a ,state plan for approval by the ,small ,farms and ,beginning ,farmers and ,ranchers ,group to provide coordination to ensure adequate services to small and beginning farmers and ranchers at all county and area offices throughout the ,state2 7,c7 oversee implementation of the approved ,state plan2 7,d7 work with outreach coordinators in the ,state offices of the ,farm ,service ,agency1 the ,natural ,resources ,conservation ,service1 the ,risk ,management ,agency1 the ,rural ,business-,cooperative ,service1 and the ,rural ,utilities ,service to ensure appropriate information about technical assistance is available at outreach events and activities2 and 7,e7 facilitate partnerships and joint outreach efforts with ,state organizations serving small and beginning farmers through contracts and cooperative agreements4 4