Specialty crop research initiative

Section 412 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)— (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting, diverse multicrop production systems, after specific crops; (B) in paragraph (3)(B)(ii), by striking pesticide application systems and inserting ecologically based pest management, pesticide application systems,; (C) in paragraph (4)(E), by striking and at the end; (D) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and (E) by adding at the end the following: (6) efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, including— (A) on-farm mitigation strategies and solutions, including agricultural ecosystem-based strategies; (B) conservation practices and technologies designed to improve soil health, including practices and technologies that sequester carbon in soil; and (C) breeding research and cultivar development to help adapt to climate change.; and (2) in subsection (g)(3)(A), by striking equal to not less than the amount of the grant and inserting in an amount that is equal to not less than 25 percent of the funds provided through the grant.