HR 725 IH
105th CONGRESS
1st Session
To amend the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant
Act to provide increased emphasis on competitive grants to promote
agricultural research projects regarding precision agriculture and
to provide for the dissemination of the results of such research
projects.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 12, 1997
Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky (for himself, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. BUNNING, Mr.
NETHERCUTT, Mr. CHAMBLISS, Mr. CANADY of Florida, Mr.
HOSTETTLER, Mr. LAHOOD, Mr. LATHAM, Mr. HEFNER, Mr. LEACH, Mr.
HOLDEN, Mrs. CHENOWETH, Mr. EWING, Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska, Mr.
NEY, Mr. EVANS, Mr. POSHARD, and Mr. PASTOR) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Agriculture
A BILL
To amend the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant
Act to provide increased emphasis on competitive grants to promote
agricultural research projects regarding precision agriculture and
to provide for the dissemination of the results of such research
projects.
[Italic->] Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of America in Congress
assembled, [<-Italic]
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Precision Agriculture Research,
Education, and Information Dissemination Act of 1997'.
SEC. 2. EMPHASIS ON COMPETITIVE GRANTS TO PROMOTE PRECISION
AGRICULTURE.
(a) PROMOTION OF PRECISION AGRICULTURE- Subsection (k) of the
Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (section 2
of Public Law 89-106; 7 U.S.C. 450i) is amended to read as follows:
`(k) EMPHASIS ON PRECISION AGRICULTURE-
`(1) DEFINITIONS- For purposes of this section:
`(A) PRECISION AGRICULTURE- The term `precision
agriculture' means an integrated information- and
production-based farming system that is designed to
increase long-term, site specific and whole farm production
efficiencies, productivity, and profitability while
minimizing unintended impacts on wildlife and the
environment by--
`(i) combining agricultural sciences, agricultural
inputs and practices, agronomic production databases,
and precision agriculture technologies to efficiently
manage agronomic systems;
`(ii) gathering on-farm information pertaining to the
variation and interaction of site-specific spatial and
temporal factors affecting crop production;
`(iii) integrating such information with appropriate
data derived from remote sensing and other precision
agriculture technologies in a timely manner in order to
facilitate on-farm decisionmaking; and
`(iv) using such information to prescribe and deliver
site-specific application of agricultural inputs and
management practices in agricultural production systems.
`(B) PRECISION AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGIES- The term
`precision agriculture technologies' includes--
`(i) instrumentation and techniques ranging from
sophisticated sensors and software systems to manual
sampling and data collection tools that measure,
record, and manage spatial and temporal data;
`(ii) technologies for searching out and assembling
information necessary for sound agricultural production
decision making;
`(iii) open systems technologies for data networking
and processing that produce valued systems for farm
management decisionmaking, including high bandwidth
networks, distributed processing, spatial databasing,
object technology, global positioning systems, data
modeling, high performance image processing, high
resolution satellite imagery, digital
orthophotogrammetry simulation, geographic information
systems, computer aided design, and digital
cartography; and
`(iv) machines that deliver information based
management practices, including global positioning
satellites, digital field mapping, on-the-go yield
monitoring, automated pest scouting, and site-specific
agricultural input application to accomplish the
objectives of precision agriculture.
`(C) ADVISORY BOARD- The term `advisory board' means the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and
Economics Advisory Board established under section 1408 of
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123).
`(D) AGRICULTURAL INPUTS- The term `agricultural inputs'
includes all farm management, agronomic, and field applied
agricultural production inputs, such as machinery, labor,
time, fuel, irrigation water, commercial nutrients,
livestock waste, crop protection chemicals, agronomic data
and information, application and management services, seed,
and other inputs used in agriculture production.
`(E) SYSTEMS RESEARCH- The term `systems research' means
an integrated, coordinated, and iterative investigative
process, which considers the multiple interacting
components and aspects of precision agriculture systems,
including synthesis of new knowledge regarding the
physical-chemical-biological processes and complex
interactions with cropping and natural resource systems,
precision agriculture technologies development and
implementation, data and information collection and
interpretation, production scale planning, production-scale
implementation, and farm production efficiencies, productivity, and
profitability.
`(2) EMPHASIS ON RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND INFORMATION
DISSEMINATION GRANTS- The Secretary of Agriculture, in
collaboration with the advisory board, shall ensure that
research, education, and information dissemination grants made
under subsections (b) are, where appropriate, consistent with
the development and promotion of precision agriculture.
Research, education, and information dissemination projects
supported by such grants and designed to develop and
demonstrate precision agriculture shall address one or more of
the following:
`(A) The study and promotion of components of precision
agriculture technologies using a systems research approach
that would increase long-term, site-specified and whole
farm production efficiencies, productivity, profitability.
`(B) The improvement in the understanding of agronomic
systems, including, soil, water, land cover, and
meteorological variability.
`(C) The development, demonstration, and dissemination of
information regarding precision agriculture technologies
and systems into an integrated program.
`(D) The promotion of systems research and education
projects focusing on the integration of the multiple
aspects of precision agriculture, including development,
production-scale implementation, and farm production
efficiencies, productivity, and profitability.
`(E) The education of agricultural producers and
consumers regarding the benefits of precision agriculture
as it relates to increased long-term farm production
efficiencies, productivity, profitability, as well as the
maintenance of the environment and improvements in
international trade.
`(F) The provision of training and educational programs
for State cooperative extension services agents,
agricultural producers, agricultural input machinery,
product, and service providers, certified crop advisers and
other professionals involved in the agricultural production
and transfer of integrated precision agriculture technology.
`(3) PRIORITIES FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND INFORMATION
DISSEMINATION GRANTS- In making grants to eligible entities
under subsection (b) regarding precision agriculture, the
Secretary, in collaboration with the advisory board, shall give
priority to research, education, and information dissemination
projects that are designed to accomplish the following:
`(A) The use of precision agriculture technologies and a
systems research approach to increase long-term
site-specific and whole farm production efficiencies,
productivity, profitability.
`(B) The integration of research, education, and
information dissemination components in a practical and
readily available manner so that the findings of the
project will be made readily usable by farmers.
`(C) The promotion of the efficient use of agricultural
inputs, rather than the uniform reduction in the use of
agricultural inputs.
`(D) The maximization of the involvement and cooperation
of precision agriculture producers, certified crop
advisers, State cooperative extension services agents, and
agricultural input machinery, product and service providers
in precision agriculture systems research projects
involving on-farm research, education, and information
dissemination of precision agriculture.
`(E) The cooperation among farms that are managed using
precision agriculture farm production practices, nonprofit
organizations, agribusiness, agricultural input machinery,
product, and service providers, land-grant colleges and
universities, the State cooperative extension services, and
Government agencies (including National laboratories).
`(F) The benefits of precision agriculture in
relationship to global food production, reducing world
hunger, world population trends, and efforts to maintain
and enhance the environment.
`(G) The diversity of United States agricultural
production, including production on family owned and
operated farms, large acreage farms, small acreage farms,
and mixed crop, specialty crop, commodity crop, and
livestock operations.
`(H) The maximization of collaboration with multiple
agencies and other partners that include leveraging of
funds and resources.
`(4) EDUCATION AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION-
`(A) RESERVATION OF FUNDS FOR PROJECTS- Of the funds
allocated for competitive research grants under subsection
(b) related to precision agriculture, the Secretary shall
reserve a portion of such funds for education and information
dissemination projects regarding precision agriculture.
`(B) COMPLIANCE WITH PRIORITIES FOR INFORMATION
DISSEMINATION- In the dissemination of information derived
from research projects regarding precision agriculture that
are supported by grants made under subsection (b), the
Secretary shall ensure that both employees of the
Department of Agriculture and grant recipients comply with
the priorities specified in paragraph (3).
`(5) PRECISION AGRICULTURE PARTNERSHIPS-
`(A) ESTABLISHMENT- For the purposes of this section, the
Secretary, in collaboration with the advisory board, shall
encourage the establishment of appropriate multi-state and
national partnerships or consortia between--
`(i) land-grant colleges and universities, State
Agricultural Experiment Stations, State cooperative
extension services, other colleges and universities
with demonstrable expertise regarding precision
agriculture, agencies of the Department of Agriculture,
National laboratories, agribusinesses, agricultural
equipment and input manufacturers and retailers,
certified crop advisers, commodity organizations, other
Federal or State government entities and agencies, and
non-agricultural industries and nonprofit organizations
with demonstrable expertise regarding precision
agriculture; and
`(ii) the persons and entities described in clause
(i) and agricultural producers and other land managers.
`(B) PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN NATIONAL LABORATORIES AND
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE- The partnerships established
pursuant to this paragraph shall include the partnership
entered into (before the date of the enactment of this
paragraph) by the Secretary of Energy, on behalf of the
National laboratories, and the Secretary of Agriculture to
promote cooperation and coordination between the National
laboratories and agencies of the Department of Agriculture
in the areas of systems research, technology research and
development, and the transfer, utilization, and
private-sector commercialization of technology.
`(C) ROLE OF PARTNERSHIPS- Partnerships described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be eligible grantees for
conducting systems research (including on-farm research)
regarding precision agriculture and precision agriculture
technologies.
`(6) SPECIAL ASPECTS OF RESEARCH GRANTS- As part of a
research project regarding precision agriculture that is funded
under subsection (b), the grant recipient shall agree to
perform the following, to the extent practicable:
`(A) Study precision agriculture production systems that
are located in areas that possess diverse crop, soil,
climate, and physical characteristics.
`(B) Study farms that are or have been managed using
precision agriculture farm production practices that rely
on the efficient use of agricultural inputs and precision
agriculture technologies to increase farm production
efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
`(C) Conduct demonstration projects on farms that will be
managed using precision agriculture.
`(D) Take advantage of the experience and expertise of
agricultural producers through their direct participation
and leadership in projects.
`(E) Utilize advanced access and communications
technologies to transfer practical, reliable, and timely
information to agricultural producers concerning precision
agriculture practices, technologies, and systems.
`(F) Promote partnerships among producers, nonprofit
organizations, agribusinesses, agricultural input
machinery, product, and service providers, colleges and
universities, the State cooperative extension services, and
Government agencies (including National laboratories).'.
(b) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS- Subsection (l) of the Competitive,
Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (section 2 of Public Law
89-106; 7 U.S.C. 450i) is amended to read as follows:
`(l) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF GRANT RECIPIENTS- In addition to
the record keeping responsibilities of recipients of assistance
under this section, as prescribed by the Secretary under subsection
(f), the Secretary shall prescribe regulations to require grant
recipients to submit to the Secretary periodic reports regarding
the research, education, and information dissemination activities
supported with such assistance so as to enhance the usefulness of
the monitoring and evaluation system developed by the Secretary
under section 1413A(b) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3129(b)).'.
(c) ENTITIES ELIGIBLE FOR GRANTS- Subsection (b)(1) of the
Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (section 2
of Public Law 89-106; 7 U.S.C. 450i) is amended--
(1) by inserting after `Federal agencies' the following:
`(including National laboratories as defined in section
12(d)(2) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of
1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a(d)(2)))'; and
(2) by inserting after `corporations' the following:
`(including agricultural input machinery, product, and service
providers)'.
(d) PRECISION AGRICULTURE RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION,
UNDER FUND FOR RURAL AMERICA- Section 793(c)(2)(A) of the Federal
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-127;
7 U.S.C. 2204f(c)(2)(A)) is amended--
(1) by striking `and' at the end of clause (vii);
(2) by striking the period at the end of clause (viii) and
inserting `; and'; and
(3) by inserting after clause (viii) the following new clause:
`(ix) develop and promote precision agriculture and
precision agriculture technologies using a systems
research approach, as such terms are defined in
subsection (k)(1) of the Competitive, Special, and
Facilities Research Grant Act (section 2 of Public Law
89-106; 7 U.S.C. 450i).'.
(e) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT- Subsection (b)(9)(A) of the Competitive,
Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (section 2 of Public Law
89-106; 7 U.S.C. 450i) is amended by striking `subsection (j)' and
inserting `subsection (k)'.