Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network

Title IV of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 is amended by inserting before section 404 (7 U.S.C. 7624) the following: 402. Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network (a) Establishment (1) In general The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service, shall provide for the establishment and maintenance of a network of research sites, to be known as the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network (referred to in this section as the Network), operated by the Agricultural Research Service for research regarding the sustainability of agricultural systems in the United States. (2) Goals The Network shall have the following goals: (A) To understand and enhance the sustainability of agriculture. (B) To integrate research projects with common standardized measurements on multiple agroecosystems and land uses, including cropland, rangeland, and pastureland. (C) To develop new farming systems, practices, and technologies to address agricultural challenges and opportunities, including challenges and opportunities posed by climate change. (b) Activities The activities of the Network shall include— (1) research conducted for a minimum of 30 years to develop novel scientific insights at regional and national scales, and to evaluate the applicability of, and adaptation to, local conditions; (2) the establishment and maintenance of multiple sites or research centers that capture the diversity of agricultural production systems that function as a network; and (3) the coordination, management, and analysis of large-scale data collection relating to the sustainability of agricultural systems and the provision of infrastructure to research sites to allow for analyzing and disseminating those data. (c) Coordination of research In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1) coordinate long-term agroecological research to improve understanding within the Department regarding the means by which agroecosystems function at the field, regional, and national scales; (2) designate for inclusion in the Network research sites that are representative of major agricultural regions; (3) ensure that each research site included in the Network conducts experiments with standardized goals and methods— (A) to increase agricultural productivity and profitability; (B) to enhance agricultural resilience and the capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change; (C) to boost the provision of ecosystem services from agricultural landscapes; and (D) to improve opportunities for rural communities; (4) make data collected at research sites included in the Network open to researchers and the public whenever practicable, and integrate data across the network and partner sites; (5) provide infrastructure to research sites included in the Network for data collection, common measurements, and data streams that complement other national networks, such as the National Ecological Observatory Network and the Long-Term Ecological Research Network; (6) coordinate with Climate Hubs of the Department to share research findings and data insights; and (7) collaborate with those Climate Hubs to translate research findings into educational, outreach, and technical assistance materials for agricultural producers. (d) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out activities of the Network under this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030..