Specialty crop domestic market promotion and development program

Title II of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 7712a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

204.

Specialty crop domestic market promotion and development program

(a)

In general

For purposes of encouraging the development, maintenance, and expansion of the commercial domestic market for domestically produced specialty crop commodities, the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, shall establish a program under which the Secretary will award grants to eligible organizations to implement a domestic market development program for specialty crops.(b)

Application

An eligible organization seeking a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary—(1)an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require; (2)a marketing plan that meets the requirements of subsection (c); and(3)a certification that any Federal funds received by such organization under this section will supplement, but not supplant, funds from non-Federal sources (including a private entity) to carry out a domestic market development program for specialty crops.(c)

Marketing plan

(1)

In general

A marketing plan submitted under subsection (b) shall—(A)describe the advertising or other demand-oriented, generic domestic promotion activities to be carried out by the eligible organization using funds awarded through a grant under this section; and(B)contain—(i)a description of the manner in which funds received by the eligible organization through a grant under this section, in conjunction with funds and services provided by the eligible organization, will be expended in implementing the marketing plan;(ii)the market goals to be achieved under the marketing plan; and(iii)such additional information as may be required by the Secretary.(2)

Amendments

A marketing plan approved under this section may be amended by the eligible organization submitting such plan at any time, subject to the approval of the Secretary.(d)

Amount of grant

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall justify, in writing, the level of funds awarded through a grant to an eligible organization and the level of matching funds to be required of the organization.(2)

Matching funds

The recipient of a grant under this section shall provide non-Federal matching funds equal to not less than 25 percent of the amount of the grant, or such other amount determined by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1).(3)

In-kind support

Non-Federal matching funds described in paragraph (2) may include in-kind support.(e)

Multiyear basis

The Secretary may provide assistance under this section on a multiyear basis. The Secretary shall conduct an annual review of any grant awarded on a multiyear basis to ensure that the eligible organization has complied with the marketing plan submitted under subsection (c).(f)

Termination

The Secretary may terminate any grant made, or to be made, under this section if the Secretary determines that the eligible organization receiving such grant—(1)is not adhering to the terms and conditions applicable to the grant;(2)is not implementing the marketing plan submitted under subsection (b) or is not adequately meeting the established goals of the plan; or(3)is not adequately contributing its own resources to the implementation of the plan.(g)

Evaluations

Beginning not later than 15 months after the first grant is awarded under this section to an eligible organization, the Secretary shall monitor the expenditures by eligible organizations made using grant funds, including the following:(1)A thorough accounting of such expenditures.(2)An evaluation of the effectiveness of the marketing plan of the eligible organization in developing, maintaining, or expanding the commercial domestic market for specialty crops.(h)

Limitation on use of funds

Funds received through a grant under this section may not be used—(1)to provide direct assistance to any domestic or foreign for-profit corporation for the corporation’s use in promoting foreign-produced products; or (2)to provide direct assistance to any for-profit corporation that is not recognized as a small business concern (as described in section 3(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(a))), other than—(A)a cooperative;(B)an association described in the Act of February 18, 1922 (7 U.S.C. 291); or(C)a nonprofit trade association.(i)

Audits

If, as a result of an evaluation or audit of activities of an eligible organization using funds made available through a grant under this section, the Secretary determines that a further review is justified in order to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section, the Secretary shall require the eligible organization to contract for an independent audit of the activities carried out using funds awarded under a grant under this section, including activities of any subcontractor of an eligible organization.(j)

Eligible organization defined

In this section, the term eligible organization means—(1)a United States agricultural trade organization or regional State-related organization that promotes the sale of United States produced and grown specialty crops and that does not profit directly from specific sales of United States specialty crops;(2)a cooperative organization or State agency that promotes the sale of United States produced and grown specialty crops;(3)a private organization that promotes the sale of United States produced and grown specialty crop commodities if the Secretary determines that such organization would significantly contribute to increased domestic purchases of United States produced specialty crop commodities; or(4)specialty crop organizations operating under Federal marketing orders.(k)

Funding

(1)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter.(2)

Administrative expenses

The Secretary may use funds made available under paragraph (1) to carry out this section for a fiscal year for expenses related to administering the program under this section.