Capacity building grants for community college agriculture and natural resources programs

Subtitle K of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3310 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

1473I.

Capacity building grants for community college agriculture and natural resources programs

(a)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means—(A)a junior or community college supporting agriculture advancement; and(B)a consortium or alliance of 2-year public colleges supporting agriculture advancement. (2)

Junior or community college

The term junior or community college has the meaning given the term in section 312 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058). (b)

Competitive grants

The Secretary shall make competitive grants to eligible entities to assist the eligible entities in maintaining and expanding the capacity of the eligible entities to conduct workforce training, education, research, and outreach activities relating to—(1)agriculture; and(2)other similar disciplines.(c)

Priority

In making grants under subsection (b), the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity coordinating with a local agriculture industry operator to provide experiential training and other opportunities for students.(d)

Use of funds

An eligible entity that receives a grant under subsection (b) may use the funds made available through the grant to expand and maintain the capacity of the eligible entity—(1)to successfully compete for funds from Federal grants and other sources to carry out educational, research, and outreach activities that address priority concerns of national, regional, State, and local interest; (2)to offer educational programming on agricultural industry jobs, including farm business management-related subjects, such as accounting, paralegal studies, and finance; (3)to disseminate information relating to the priority concerns described in paragraph (1) to interested members of the agriculture and other relevant communities and to the public; (4)to encourage members of those communities to participate in priority education, research, and outreach activities through providing matching funding from sources other than funds received through the grant; and (5)through—(A)the purchase or other acquisition of equipment and other infrastructure (not including the alteration, repair, renovation, or construction of buildings);(B)the professional growth and development of faculty; and(C)the development of apprenticeships and other work-based learning opportunities. (e)

Centers of agriculture advancement

(1)

In general

An eligible entity may submit to the Secretary an application for designation and funding as a center of excellence for agriculture advancement.(2)

Use of funds

A center of excellence for agriculture advancement designated under paragraph (1) shall use funding received as a result of that designation—(A)to demonstrate best practices relating to agriculture; and(B)to provide leadership in capacity building at a regional or national level.(f)

Evaluation and report

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall—(1)conduct an evaluation of activities carried out under this section; and(2)submit a report describing the evaluation conducted under paragraph (1) to—(A)the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives;(B)the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate;(C)the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and(D)the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.(g)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2029.