Findings

Congress finds that— (1)the State of California (referred to in this Act as the State) is a preeminent producer of more than 350 different agricultural commodities, including— (A)more than 90 percent of all of the tomatoes and grapes produced in the United States; (B)all of the commercial almonds, dates, figs, olives, cling peaches, prunes, and raisins produced in the United States; and (C)1 out of every 5 glasses of milk consumed in the United States; (2)California is the leading State in terms of agricultural exports, annually shipping more than $7,000,000,000 worth of agricultural commodities around the world; (3)the direct and indirect economic impact of the total investment by the 78,500 farms in the State is staggering; (4)if the State is going to keep the agricultural industry of the State strong and vibrant, the State must focus on the needs of agricultural producers who are valuable contributors to the economic, social, and cultural life of the State and the United States. (5)since 1945, agricultural land has been rapidly disappearing across the State, with soil erosion, urbanization, the growth of deserts, and salinization all contributing to the loss of productive farmland in the State; (6)if the trends described in paragraph (5) continue, the State will be unable— (A)to supply food for the population of the State, let alone the United States; or (B)to export food to the rest of the world; (7)as people in the United States grow more and more detached from the great agrarian history of the United States, fewer people in the United States understand the fundamental importance of agriculture to the society of the United States; (8)educating young people in the United States about agriculture and the importance of agriculture to the United States is an investment that would pay off in future benefits; (9)greater public understanding and appreciation of the importance of agriculture to the State, the United States, and the world is needed to secure a positive future in which the United States can rely on healthy food that is produced domestically; (10)citizens of all ages, especially youth, must play a meaningful, hands-on role in determining the future of agriculture in the State; (11)as planners, conservationists, and other interested persons throughout the State organize to help protect agricultural resources, the proposed National Ag Science Center (referred to in this Act as the Center) in Stanislaus County, California, is preparing— (A)to educate and alert future generations about the need to preserve agricultural land; and (B)to foster an understanding of the importance of agriculture; (12)the mission of the National Ag Science Center would be to— (A)provide exciting and fun agricultural learning opportunities and resources in order for young people to learn how a vibrant agricultural economy is necessary for a vibrant society; and (B)ensure a bright future for all aspects of the agriculture industry; (13)the Center would prepare young people in the United States for career and leadership opportunities in agriculture; (14)according to findings of the Center for Public Policy Studies at California State University, Stanislaus, the Center would— (A)create or support up to 359 new local jobs; (B)create or support up to $57,500,000 in economic activity and $15,200,000 in labor income through construction of the new facility; (C)generate as much as $8,500,000 in total annual economic activity; and (D)result in as much as $3,400,000 in total annual labor income; (15)on September 14, 2005, the Yosemite Community College District Board, in Stanislaus County, California, voted unanimously to approve the dedication of a 3.5-acre site on the West Campus of Modesto Community College for the Center; and (16)establishment of the Center is in the national interest, because the proposed Center would enable future generations to help ensure a healthy and profitable place for agriculture in the economy of the State and the United States.

Assistance for establishment of National Ag Science Center, stanislaus county, California

(a)

Assistance Authorized

Using amounts made available under subsection (c), the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall provide to the entity known as Ag Science Center, Inc., in Stanislaus County, California, grants to pay not more than a total of 33 percent of the total costs of establishing the National Ag Science Center, including any costs relating to the design, planning, construction, furnishing, equipping, and expansion of the Center. (b)

Grant Proposal

(1)

In general

To receive a grant under subsection (a), Ag Science Center, Inc., shall submit to the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, or the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, a proposal for the use of the grant funds. (2)

Inclusions

A grant proposal submitted under paragraph (1) shall include detailed plans for the design, construction, furnishing, equipping, and expansion of the Center. (c)

Authorization of Appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants under subsection (a) $10,000,000, to remain available until expended.