I 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 3905 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 6, 2012 Mr. Baca introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture A BILL To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to award grants for the establishment of veterans gardens that are operated by veterans and designed to produce food that can be sold to individuals, schools, and restaurants.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans Gardens Employment and Opportunity Act.

2.

Grants for the establishment of veterans gardens

(a)

Findings

Congress finds as follows: (1)According to the Department of Labor, veteran unemployment has increased to more than twice the national average, with disabled veteran unemployment being even higher. (2)Nearly 70 percent of all farmers in the United States are over the age of 55, while only four percent are under the age of 35. (3)It is estimated that the United States will need at least one million new farmers in the next decade to meet the agricultural demands of the United States. (4)Programs that train returning veterans with farming and gardening skills have proven effective at providing employment opportunities for veterans, while also enabling many veterans to become successful, sustainable farmers. (b)

Authority

The Secretary of Agriculture shall award grants to eligible entities for the establishment of gardens that are fully operated by veterans and are designed to produce food that can be sold to individuals, schools, and restaurants through farmers markets or otherwise. (c)

Eligibility

For purposes of this section, an eligible entity is a nonprofit organization, corporation, or group of veterans that submits an application containing such information and assurances as the Secretary of Agriculture may require. (d)

Priority

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary of Agriculture, after consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall give priority to eligible entities seeking to establish a garden— (1)in a location that is on the grounds of a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility; or (2)at another location that the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, determines is convenient for the transportation of patients of a Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility from such facility to the proposed garden at such location for purposes of operating or tending such garden. (e)

Matching funds

As a condition of receiving a grant under this section, the Secretary of Agriculture shall require the recipient of the grant to provide funds or in-kind support from non-Federal sources in an amount that is at least equal to the amount provided by the Federal Government. (f)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2016.