,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #bgfb ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,april #bf1 #bjah ,ms4 ,heitkamp 7for herself1 ,ms4 ,collins1 ,mr4 ,jones1 and ,ms4 ,smith7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,farm ,security and ,rural ,investment ,act of #bjjb to support opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,next ,generation in ,agriculture ,act4 #b4 ,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#a7-- 7i7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by inserting to increase opportunities after initiatives2 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by inserting and succession after transfer2 7iii7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,m7 and 7,n7 as subparagraphs 7,n7 and 7,o71 respectively2 and 7iv7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,l7 the following3 7,m7 food safety2 2 7,b7 by striking paragraph 7#d72 7,c7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#e7 through 7#ab7 as paragraphs 7#d7 through 7#aa71 respectively2 7,d7 in paragraph 7#d7 7as so redesignated7-- 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 following3 7,e7 the consultation of beginning farmers and ranchers in design1 implementation1 and decisionmaking relating to an initiative described in paragraph 7#a72 2 7,e7 in paragraph 7#aj7 7as so redesignated71 by striking #aj and inserting #ae2 and 7,f7 in paragraph 7#aa7 7as so redesignated71 by striking 7#h77;,b7 and inserting 7#g77;,b72 7#b7 in subsection 7g7-- 7,a7 by inserting 7including owners or operators that have ended1 or expect to end within #e years1 active labor in farming or ranching operations as a producer7 after not beginning farmers or ranchers2 and 7,b7 by striking educating and inserting increasing opportunities for2 and 7#c7 in subsection 7h7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 in the paragraph 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 following3 7,d7 #cj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai and #bjbj2 7,e7 #dj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba and #bjbb2 and 7,f7 #ej1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #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 #bjad through #bjah and inserting #bjah through #bjbc2 and 7ii7 by striking #bjad through #bjah and inserting #bjah through #bjbc4 #c4 ,youth outreach and beginning farmer coordination ,subtitle ,d of title ,,vii of the ,farm ,security and ,rural ,investment ,act of #bjjb is amended by inserting after section #gdje 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ccai;f7 the following3 #gdje;,a4 ,youth outreach and beginning farmer coordination 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,beginning farmer or rancher ,the term beginning farmer or rancher has the meaning given the term in section #gdje7;a74 7#b7 ,national coordinator ,the term ,national ,coordinator means the ,national ,beginning ,farmer and ,rancher ,coordinator established under subsection 7b77#a74 7#c7 ,state coordinator ,the term ,state coordinator means a ,state beginning farmer and rancher coordinator designated under subsection 7c77#a77;,a74 7#d7 ,state office ,the term ,state office means-- 7,a7 a ,state office of-- 7i7 the ,farm ,service ,agency2 7ii7 the ,natural ,resources ,conservation ,service2 7iii7 the ,rural ,business-,cooperative ,service2 or 7iv7 the ,rural ,utilities ,service2 or 7,b7 a regional office of the ,risk ,management ,agency4 7b7 ,national beginning farmer and rancher coordinator 7#a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish in the ,department the position of ,national ,beginning ,farmer and ,rancher ,coordinator4 7#b7 ,duties 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,national ,coordinator shall-- 7i7 advise the ,secretary and coordinate activities of the ,department on programs1 policies1 and issues relating to beginning farmers and ranchers2 and 7ii7 in consultation with the applicable ,state food and agriculture council1 determine whether to approve a plan submitted by a ,state coordinator under subsection 7c77#c77;,b74 7,b7 ,discretionary duties ,duties of the ,national ,coordinator may include-- 7i7 developing and implementing new strategies to support beginning farmers and ranchers by conducting outreach and developing strategies to provide assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers and owners or operators that have ended1 or expect to end within #e years1 active labor in farming or ranching operations as a producer2 and 7ii7 facilitating interagency and interdepartmental collaboration on issues relating to beginning farmers and ranchers4 7#c7 ,reports ,not less frequently than once each year1 the ,national ,coordinator shall distribute within the ,department and make publicly available a report describing the status of steps taken to carry out the duties described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 of paragraph 7#b74 7#d7 ,contracts and cooperative agreements ,in carrying out the duties under paragraph 7#b71 the ,national ,coordinator may enter into a contract or cooperative agreement with an institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja771 cooperative extension services 7as defined in section #adjd of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cajc71 or a nonprofit organization-- 7,a7 to conduct research on the profitability of new farms in operation for not less than #e years in a region2 7,b7 to develop educational materials2 7,c7 to conduct workshops1 courses1 training1 or certified vocational training2 or 7,d7 to conduct mentoring activities4 7c7 ,state beginning farmer and rancher coordinators 7#a7 ,in general 7,a7 ,designation ,the ,national ,coordinator1 in consultation with ,state food and agriculture councils and ,directors of ,state offices1 shall designate in each ,state a ,state beginning farmer and rancher coordinator from among employees of ,state offices4 7,b7 ,requirements ,to be designated as a ,state coordinator1 an employee shall-- 7i7 be familiar with issues relating to beginning farmers and ranchers2 and 7ii7 have the ability to interface with other ,federal departments and agencies4 7#b7 ,training ,the ,secretary shall develop a training plan to provide to each ,state coordinator knowledge of programs and services available from the ,department for beginning farmers and ranchers1 taking into consideration the unique needs of each type of production method and size of agricultural operation4 7#c7 ,duties ,a ,state coordinator shall-- 7,a7 coordinate technical assistance at the ,state level to assist beginning farmers and ranchers in accessing programs of the ,department2 7,b7 develop and submit to the ,national ,coordinator for approval under subsection 7b77#b77;,a77ii7 a ,state plan to improve the coordination1 delivery1 and efficacy of programs of the ,department to beginning farmers and ranchers1 taking into consideration the unique needs of each type of production method and size of agricultural operation1 at each county and area office in the ,state2 7,c7 oversee implementation of an approved ,state plan described in subparagraph 7,b72 7,d7 work with outreach coordinators in the ,state offices to ensure appropriate information about technical assistance is available at outreach events and activities2 and 7,e7 coordinate partnerships and joint outreach efforts with other organizations and government agencies serving beginning farmers and ranchers4 7d7 ,agricultural ,youth ,coordinator 7#a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish in the ,department the position of ,agricultural ,youth ,coordinator4 7#b7 ,duties ,the ,agricultural ,youth ,coordinator shall-- 7,a7 promote the role of school-based agricultural education and youth-serving agricultural organizations in motivating and preparing young people to pursue careers in the agriculture1 food1 and natural resources systems2 7,b7 coordinate programs and agencies within the ,department-- 7i7 to work with schools and youth-serving organizations to develop joint programs and initiatives1 such as internships2 and 7ii7 to provide resources and input to schools and youth-serving organizations regarding motivating and preparing young people to pursue careers in the agriculture1 food1 and natural resources systems2 7,c7 raise awareness among youth about the importance of agriculture in a diversity of fields and disciplines2 7,d7 provide information to youth involved in food and agriculture and youth agriculture organizations about the availability of1 and eligibility requirements for1 agricultural programs1 with particular emphasis on-- 7i7 beginning farmer and rancher programs2 7ii7 agriculture education2 7iii7 nutrition education2 7iv7 science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics education2 and 7v7 other food and agriculture programs for youth2 7,e7 serve as a resource for youth involved in food and agriculture applying for participation in agricultural programs2 7,f7 conduct outreach to youth agriculture organizations2 and 7,g7 advocate on behalf of youth involved in food and agriculture and youth organizations in interactions with employees of the ,department4 7#c7 ,reports ,not less frequently than once each year1 the ,agricultural ,youth ,coordinator shall distribute within the ,department and make publicly available a report describing the status of steps taken to carry out the duties described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 of paragraph 7#b74 7#d7 ,contracts and cooperative agreements ,for purposes of carrying out the duties described in paragraph 7#b71 the ,agricultural ,youth ,coordinator-- 7,a7 shall consult with the cooperative extension services and the land-grant colleges and universities2 and 7,b7 may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with the research centers of the ,agricultural ,research ,service1 institutions of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja771 or nonprofit organizations for-- 7i7 the development of educational materials2 7ii7 the conduct of workshops1 courses1 and certified vocational training2 7iii7 the conduct of mentoring activities2 or 7iv7 the provision of internship opportunities4 4 #d4 ,next generation agriculture technology challenge ,subtitle ,c of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg is amended by inserting after section #adah 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #caec7 the following3 #adai4 ,next generation agriculture technology challenge 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a next generation agriculture technology challenge competition to provide an incentive for the development of innovative mobile technology that removes barriers to entry in the marketplace for beginning farmers and ranchers 7as defined in section #gdje7;a7 of the ,farm ,security and ,rural ,investment ,act of #bjjb 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ccai;f7a7774 7b7 ,amount ,the ,secretary may award not more than #a1jjj1jjj in the aggregate to one or more winners of the competition under subsection 7a74 4 #e4 ,beginning farmer and rancher crop insurance ,section #ejb7;b77#c7 of the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aejb7;b77#c77 is amended by striking #e and inserting #aj4