Workforce development

(a)

Grants and fellowships for food and agricultural sciences education

Section 1417 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152) is amended—(1)in subsection (b)—(A)in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting , junior or community colleges, and postsecondary vocational instutitions after other colleges and universities ; and(B)in paragraph (3), by striking food and agricultural sciences teaching programs, or teaching programs emphasizing and inserting teaching programs, including paid, work-based learning, for food and agricultural sciences or;(2)in subsection (c)—(A)in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end;(B)in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and(C)by adding at the end the following:

(3)applications for teaching enhancement projects, including paid, work-based learning, that address a need for additional trained professionals in food and agricultural sciences or rural economic development, community development, or business development.

;

(3)in subsection (j)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking subsection and inserting section; (4)in subsection (m)—(A)in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end;(B)in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and(C)by adding at the end the following:

(3)$60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030.

; and

(5)by adding at the end the following:

(n)

Definitions

In this section:(1)The term junior or community college has the meaning given such term in section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(f)).(2)The term postsecondary vocational institution has the meaning given such term in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c)).(3)The term work-based learning has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).

(b)

Experienced services program

Section 1252(a)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3851(a)(2)) is amended—(1)in subparagraph (D), by striking and at the end;(2)in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and(3)by adding at the end the following:

(F)assisting cooperative initiatives under section 1417(b)(3) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(3)) to improve higher education teaching programs, including paid, work-based learning, at—(i)land-grant colleges and universities (including the University of the District of Columbia);(ii)colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments and a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences; and(iii)other colleges and universities, junior or community colleges (as defined in section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(f))), and postsecondary vocational institutions (as defined in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c))) having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences.

(c)

Competitive, special, and facilities research grants

Subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (6)(A), by striking teaching and inserting teaching, including paid work-based learning (as defined in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)),; and(2)in paragraph (7)(B), by inserting , junior or community colleges (as defined in section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(f))), and postsecondary vocational institutions (as defined in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c))) after colleges and universities.

NRCS direct hire authority

Section 1242 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(j)

NRCS direct hire authority

(1)

In general

The Secretary may appoint, without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code (other than sections 3303 and 3328 of such title), qualified candidates, as described in paragraph (2), directly to positions within the Natural Resources Conservation Service that provide technical assistance under conservation programs administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.(2)

Qualifications

Paragraph (1) applies to a candidate who—(A)is qualified to provide the technical assistance described in paragraph (1), as determined by the Secretary; and(B)meets qualification standards established by the Office of Personnel Management.