High-priority research and extension initiatives

(a) In general Section 1672(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(d)) is amended— (1) by striking paragraph (9) and inserting the following: (9) Coffee plant health initiative Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of— (A) developing and disseminating science-based tools and treatments to combat plant pests and noxious weeds (as those terms are defined in section 403 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7702)) that impact coffee plants; (B) establishing an areawide integrated pest management program in areas affected by, or areas at risk of being affected by, plant pests or noxious weeds (as so defined) that impact coffee plants; (C) surveying and collecting data on coffee plant production and health; (D) investigating coffee plant biology, immunology, ecology, genomics, and bioinformatics; and (E) conducting research on— (i) factors that may contribute to or be associated with coffee plant immune systems; (ii) other serious threats to coffee plants, including the sublethal effects of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides on insects and plants beneficial to coffee plant growth; and (iii) the development of mitigating and preventative measures to improve habitat conservation and best management practices in coffee-growing regions.; (2) by striking paragraph (11) and inserting the following: (11) Macadamia tree health initiative Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of— (A) developing and disseminating science-based tools and treatments to combat plant pests and noxious weeds (as those terms are defined in section 403 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7702)) that impact macadamia trees; (B) establishing an areawide integrated pest management program in areas affected by, or areas at risk of being affected by, invasive plant pests or noxious weeds (as so defined); (C) surveying and collecting data on macadamia tree production and health; (D) investigating macadamia tree biology, immunology, ecology, genomics, and bioinformatics; and (E) conducting research on various factors that may contribute to or be associated with macadamia tree immune systems, and other serious threats to macadamia trees, including— (i) the sublethal effects of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides on beneficial insects and plants to macadamia tree growth; and (ii) the development of mitigative and preventative measures to improve habitat conservation and best management practices in macadamia tree growing regions.; (3) in paragraph (14)— (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (F) as subparagraphs (C) through (G), respectively; and (B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: (B) to review the effectiveness of current cattle fever tick eradication efforts in preventing and reducing the spread of cattle fever ticks;; and (4) in paragraph (17), by inserting and harmful algal blooms after macro-algae systems; and (5) by adding at the end the following: (21) PFAS agricultural effects research initiative Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of carrying out research relating to— (A) the effects of perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances (as those terms are defined in section 7331(2)(B) of the PFAS Act of 2019 (15 U.S.C. 8931(2)(B))) on agricultural land used for the production of crops and livestock, including cropland, grassland, rangeland, pasture land, cropped woodland, marshes, environmentally sensitive areas, and other land related to agricultural production, as determined by the Secretary; and (B) identifying ways to mitigate the impacts of perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances (as so defined) on agricultural land described in subparagraph (A). (22) Peanut aflatoxin research initiative Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of— (A) pre- and post-harvest improvements in the peanut production, handling, and processing sectors to improve efficiency and manage aflatoxin; (B) advanced curing systems to minimize moisture variation of individual peanut kernels; and (C) other efforts that can lead to a reduction in the risk of losses due to mold and potential aflatoxin contamination in storage. (23) Biochar research initiative Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of— (A) assessing the soil carbon sequestration potential of various biochars and management systems integrating biochar use; (B) understanding how to use biochar productively to contribute to climate mitigation, crop production, resilience to extreme weather events, ecosystem and soil health, natural resource conservation, and farm profitability; and (C) delivering science-based, region-specific, cost-effective, and practical information to farmers, ranchers, foresters, land reclamation managers, urban land managers, and other land and natural resource managers and businesses on sustainable biochar production and application. (24) Spotted wing drosophila initiative Research and extension grants may be made and cooperative agreements may be entered into under this section to mitigate the negative effects of spotted wing drosophila. (25) Spotted lanternfly control initiative Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of developing and disseminating research-based tools and treatments to combat the Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). (26) Wheat resiliency initiative Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose of building capacity to address underfunded and emerging pest and disease challenges to wheat production throughout the United States. (27) Invasive species research and extension Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose of supporting research projects at land-grant colleges and universities (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) to develop and apply methods to manage and eradicate invasive species of plants and animals, including through methods of biocontrol. (28) Agricultural application of artificial intelligence research and extension (A) In general Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose of developing and evaluating agricultural uses of artificial intelligence. (B) Emphasis In awarding grants under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may place emphasis on uses of artificial intelligence that improve specialty crop production. (29) Aquaculture research and extension Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose of supporting research projects at land-grant colleges and universities (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) to develop and apply aquaculture methods, including through the propagation and rearing of economically and ecologically valuable aquatic and marine species. (30) White oak research initiative (A) In general Research grants may be made under this section to land-grant colleges and universities (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) that have demonstrated scientific expertise relating to white oak, geographic proximity to concentrated areas of white oak, and the ability to rapidly engage in technology transfer to industry for the purpose of improving white oak species resiliency, health, and preservation. (B) Priorities In awarding grants under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall prioritize research relating to— (i) white oak genes with resistance to disease, pests, heat, and drought in cultivated, new, and old growth white oak timber stands; (ii) white oak trees that exhibit heritable vigor for the purpose of increasing survival and growth; (iii) establishing a genetically diverse white oak seed bank capable of responding to stressors; (iv) providing a sustainable supply of white oak seedlings and genetic resources; (v) improved methods for aligning seed sources with the future climate at planting sites; (vi) reforestation of white oak trees through natural and artificial regeneration; (vii) improved methods for retaining and increasing white oak trees in forests; (viii) improved methods for reforesting abandoned mine land sites; and (ix) economic and social aspects of white oak forest management across land ownerships. (31) Sunflower breeding initiative Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose of developing sunflower hybrids adapted for United States growing regions. (32) Equine health, safety, and disease management Research grants may be made under this section for the purposes of enhancing equine health, safety, and disease management, including research relating to— (A) health, safety, and regulatory considerations for equines; (B) equine genomics to monitor equine health and identify at-risk equines; (C) racetrack and surface safety protocols; (D) reproductive health; (E) epidemiology, molecular diagnostics, and bioinformatics related to equine diseases; and (F) infectious diseases affecting equines. (33) Grazing for wildfire mitigation initiative Research and extension grants may be made under this section at land-grant institutions for the purposes of— (A) supporting research and development of ungulate grazing land management techniques that— (i) promote wildfire mitigation, fuel reduction, and post-fire recovery on public land and private land, including research and development relating to understanding the economic benefits of, and increasing social support for, such activities; (ii) are compatible with activities that protect against adverse environmental effects, including the spread of invasive plant species and disease, soil erosion, water quality degradation, and watershed degradation, such as— (I) rotational grazing; (II) managed stocking rates; (III) riparian buffer zones; (IV) cover crops; (V) fencing, including virtual fencing; (VI) manipulation of wild ungulate populations through targeted wildlife management; and (VII) water point management techniques; and (iii) improve soil health; and (B) disseminating information to public and private landowners, land managers, and livestock owners, including through providing educational materials and conducting outreach programs, regarding— (i) ungulate grazing land management techniques that promote wildfire mitigation, fuel reduction, and post-fire recovery; and (ii) compatible activities described in subparagraph (A). (34) Emerging tick–borne livestock diseases Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of improving the prevention, diagnosis, and management of emerging tick–borne diseases in livestock, including anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and bovine theileriosis caused by Theileria orientalis Ikeda transmitted by the invasive Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis), through— (A) research to develop and evaluate vaccines, therapeutics, enhanced surveillance methods, and integrated tick management strategies; and (B) extension and education activities to support veterinarians, State departments of agriculture, and livestock producers in the recognition, testing, and prevention of those diseases.. (b) Pulse crop health initiative Section 1672(e)(5) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(e)(5)) is amended by striking 2023 and inserting 2031. (c) Training coordination for food and agriculture protection Section 1672(f)(5) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(f)(5)) is amended by striking 2023 and inserting 2031. (d) Pollinator protection Section 1672(g) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(g)) is amended in paragraphs (1)(B), (2)(B), and (3) by striking 2023 each place it appears and inserting 2031. (e) Authorization of appropriations Section 1672(h) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(h)) is amended by striking 2023 and inserting 2031.