Peer learning for agriculture conservation education

Section 1271C of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871c) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(e)

Peer learning initiative

(1)

Definition of peer learning

In this subsection, the term peer learning means an educational experience that includes—(A)farmer, rancher, or forester led information sharing, education, or training activities that support agricultural producers or foresters; or(B)the provision of farmer, rancher, or forester led technical assistance to agricultural producers or foresters.(2)

Establishment of initiative

Not later than 1 year after enactment, the Secretary shall establish an initiative to support projects that provide to agricultural producers peer learning opportunities relating to a wide range of agriculture conservation activities, such as—(A)activities or management systems, as determined by the Secretary, that directly contribute to improving soil health; and(B)any other regional priority natural resource concerns, as determined by the Secretary.(3)

Grants

(A)

In general

In carrying out the initiative established under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall enter into not fewer than 5 grant agreements each fiscal year to support peer learning projects in accordance with that paragraph.(B)

Agreements

(i)

In general

The Secretary may enter into a grant agreement under subparagraph (A) with 1 or more eligible partners that are engaged in providing peer learning to agricultural producers.(ii)

Projects

A grant agreement under subparagraph (A) may support any of the following:(I)Projects within or sponsored by a State.(II)Multistate projects.(III)Projects in a critical conservation area designated under section 1271F.(C)

Applications

(i)

In general

An organization described in subparagraph (B)(i) desiring to enter into a grant agreement under subparagraph (A) shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.(ii)

Multiple applicants

An application under clause (i) may be submitted jointly by multiple organizations described in subparagraph (B)(i).(4)

Duties of the eligible partner

(A)Entities that enter into an agreement with the Secretary under paragraph (3)(B) shall use funding for purposes related to coordinating peer learning initiatives, such as—(i)convening of stakeholders to achieve the goals of the contractual partnership with NRCS through the Program;(ii)farmer outreach and education;(iii)forester outreach and education;(iv)convening of the scientific community for the purposes of coordinating scientific research methodologies and data sets related to priority resource concerns identified in the agreement;(v)coordination of municipal and State policies with on-farm practices;(vi)facilitating trainings; and(vii)other activities as determined by the Secretary that facilitate peer learning oriented around priority resource concerns identified in the agreement.(B)Submit to the Secretary, in addition to any information that the Secretary requires to prepare the report under section 3871e(b) of this title, an annual report that describes the status of the project, including a description of—(i)the use of the funds awarded under paragraph (3);(ii)any subcontracts awarded;(iii)the producers receiving funding through the funding agreement under paragraph (3);(iv)(I)the progress made by the project in addressing each natural resource concern defined in the funding agreement under paragraph (3), including in a quantified form to the extent practicable; and(II)as appropriate, other outcomes of the project; and(v)any other reporting data the Secretary determines are necessary to ensure compliance with the program rules.(5)

Waiver

With respect to a project funded under the initiative established under paragraph (2), the Secretary may waive any requirement under the program that limits the percentage of program funding that may be used for technical assistance, or requires a minimum percentage of program funding to be used for financial assistance, such that up to 100 percent of the funding provided for the project may be used for technical assistance, if the grant agreement entered into under paragraph (3)(B) with respect to that project includes a plan to promote the availability of covered programs to agricultural producers.