2.66—Director, National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
(a) Delegations.
Pursuant to § 2.21 (a)(1) and (a)(3), subject to the reservations in § 2.21(b)(1), the following delegations of authority are made by the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Extension to the Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service.
(1)
Administer research and technology development grants related to the economic feasibility of the manufacture and commercialization of natural rubber from hydrocarbon-containing plants (7 U.S.C. 178-178n ).
(2)
Administer the appropriation for the endowment and maintenance of colleges for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanical arts (7 U.S.C. 321-326a ).
(3)
Administer teaching funds authorized by section 22 of the Bankhead Jones Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 329 ).
(4)
Cooperate with the States for the purpose of encouraging and assisting them in carrying out research related to the problems of agriculture in its broadest aspects under the Hatch Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 361a-361i ).
(5)
Administer an agricultural research facilities proposal review process for submission to Congress (7 U.S.C. 390, 390a(a) -(d)).
(6)
Carry out a program (IR-4 Program) for the collection of residue and efficacy data in support of minor use pesticide registration or reregistration and to determine tolerances for minor use chemical residues in or on agricultural commodities (7 U.S.C. 450i(e) ).
(7)
Administer the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative for competitive grants for fundamental and applied research, extension, and education to address food and agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 450i(b) ).
(8)
Administer a program of making special grants for research, extension, or education activities (7 U.S.C. 450i(c) ).
(10)
Administer, in cooperation with land-grant colleges and universities where applicable, a rural development research and extension program, a small farm research and extension program, and a rural health and safety education program under the Rural Development Act of 1972, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2661-266 7).
(11)
Provide national leadership and support for cooperative research and extension programs and other cooperative activities in the food and agricultural sciences to meet major needs and challenges in food and agricultural system productivity; development of new food, fiber, and energy sources; agricultural energy use and production; natural resources; promotion of the health and welfare of people; human nutrition; and international food and agriculture pursuant to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (7 U.S.C. 3101
et seq. ).
(12)
Conduct a program of grants to States to expand, renovate, or improve schools of veterinary medicine (7 U.S.C. 3151 ).
(13)
Promote and strengthen higher education in the food and agricultural sciences; administer grants to colleges and universities; maintain a national food and agricultural education information system; conduct programs regarding the evaluation of teaching programs and continuing education; administer the National Food and Agricultural Sciences Teaching, Extension, and Research Awards Program to recognize and promote excellence in teaching, extension, and research in the food and agricultural sciences; administer programs relating to secondary education and 2-year postsecondary education, including grants to public secondary schools, institutions of higher education that award an associate's degree, other institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations; and report to Congress on the distribution of funds to carry out such teaching programs (7 U.S.C. 3152 ).
(16)
Make grants, competitive grants, and special research grants to, and enter into agreements and other contracting instruments with policy research centers (7 U.S.C. 3155 ).
(17)
Conduct a program of grants to States to support continuing animal health and disease research programs under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (7 U.S.C. 3191-320 1).
(18)
Support continuing agricultural and forestry extension and research, at 1890 land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee University, and administer a grant program for five National Research and Training Centennial Centers (7 U.S.C. 3221, 3222, 3222c, 3222d ).
(19)
Administer grants to 1890 land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee University, through Federal-grant funds to help finance and upgrade agricultural and food science facilities which are used for research, extension, and resident instruction (7 U.S.C. 3222b ).
(20)
Provide policy direction and coordinate the Department's work with national and international institutions and other persons throughout the world in the performance of agricultural research, extension, teaching, and development activities; administer a program of competitive grants for collaborative projects involving Federal scientists or scientists from colleges and universities working with scientists at international agricultural research centers in other nations focusing either on new technologies and programs for increasing the production of food and fiber or training scientists and a program of competitive grants to colleges and universities to strengthen United States economic competitiveness and to promote international market development; and establish a program in coordination with the Foreign Agricultural Service to place interns from United States colleges and universities at Foreign Agricultural Service field offices overseas (7 U.S.C. 3291, 3292b ).
(21)
Administer a program of competitive grants to colleges and universities and State cooperative institutions for the acquisition of special purpose scientific research equipment for use in the food and agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 3310a ).
(22)
Conduct program evaluations to improve the administration and efficacy of the cooperative research grants and extension programs involving State agricultural experiment stations, cooperative extension services, and colleges and universities (7 U.S.C. 3317 ).
(23)
Enter into contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements to further research, extension or teaching activities in the food and agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 3318 )
(24)
Enter into cost-reimbursable agreements with State cooperative institutions or other colleges and universities for the acquisition of goods or services in support of research, extension, or teaching activities in the food and agricultural sciences, including the furtherance of library and related information programs (7 U.S.C. 3319a ).
(25)
Conduct research and develop and implement a program for the development of supplemental and alternative crops (7 U.S.C. 3319d ).
(26)
Administer an Aquaculture Assistance Program, involving centers, by making grants to eligible institutions for research and extension to facilitate or expand production and marketing of aquacultural food species and products; making grants to States to formulate aquaculture development plans for the production and marketing of aquacultural species and products; conducting a program of research, extension and demonstration at aquacultural demonstration centers (7 U.S.C. 3321-332 2).
(30)
Administer programs and conduct projects in cooperation with other agencies for research and education on sustainable agriculture (7 U.S.C. 5811-581 3).
(31)
Administer a cooperative research and extension program to optimize crop and livestock production potential in integrated resource management and integrated crop management systems (7 U.S.C. 5821 ).
(32)
Establish an Agricultural Weather Office and administer a national agricultural weather information system, including competitive grants program for research in atmospheric sciences and climatology (7 U.S.C. 5852-585 3).
(33)
Administer a cooperative extension program on agricultural weather forecasts and climate information for agricultural producers and administer a grant program to States to administer programs for State agricultural weather information systems (7 U.S.C. 5854 ).
(34)
In cooperation with the Agricultural Research Service, administer competitive research grants regarding the production, preparation, processing, handling, and storage of agriculture products (7 U.S.C. 5871-587 4).
(35)
Administer a grants and contracts program on integrated pest management including research to benefit floriculture and administer an extension program developed for integrated pest management (7 U.S.C. 5881 ).
(36)
Administer a grants program to States on the control of infestations and eradication of exotic pests (7 U.S.C. 5883 ).
(37)
Administer a grant program for risk assessment research to address concerns about the environmental effects of biotechnology (7 U.S.C. 5921 ).
(39)
Administer a rural electronic commerce extension program through grants to regional rural development centers and competitive grants to land-grant colleges and universities and to colleges and universities (including community colleges) with agricultural or rural development programs (7 U.S.C. 5923 ).
(40)
Conduct a research initiative known as the Agricultural Genome Initiative; and make grants or enter cooperative agreements on a competitive basis with individuals and organizations to carry out the Initiative (7 U.S.C. 5924 ).
(42)
Administer a competitive high priority research and extension grants program in specified subject areas (7 U.S.C. 5925 ).
(43)
Administer a program of competitive grants to support research and extension activities in Nutrient Management Research and Extension (7 U.S.C. 5925a ).
(44)
Administer competitive grants to support research and extension activities regarding organically grown and processed agricultural commodities (7 U.S.C. 5925b ).
(49)
Support research on the effects of global climate change in agriculture and forestry, including mitigation of the effects on crops of economic significance, and on the effects of the emissions of certain gases on global climate change (7 U.S.C. 6702 ).
(50)
Administer the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 for USDA (15 U.S.C. 638(e) -(k)).
(51)
Administer a cooperative forestry program in accordance with the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act, and administer a competitive forestry, natural resources, and environmental grant program (16 U.S.C. 582a-582a -8).
(52)
Establish and administer the Forestry Student Grant Program to provide competitive grants to assist the expansion of the professional education of forestry, natural resources, and environmental scientists (16 U.S.C. 1649 ).
(53)
Provide staff support to the Secretary of Agriculture in his or her role as permanent Chair for the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture established by the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 and coordinate aquacultural responsibilities within the Department (16 U.S.C. 2805 ).
(54)
Administer extension education programs in aquaculture and administer grants related to research and development in aquaculture (16 U.S.C. 2806 ).
(55)
Coordinate research by cooperating State research institutions and administer education and information activities assigned under the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq. ), and title VI of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5195
et seq. ).
(56)
Provide management support services to agencies reporting to the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics in the administration of discretionary grants.
(61)
Administer a cooperative agricultural extension program in accordance with the Smith-Lever Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 341-349 ).
(62)
Administer a cooperative agricultural extension program relating to agriculture, uses of solar energy with respect to agriculture, home economics, and rural energy in the District of Columbia (DC Code 38-1202.09).
(63)
Conduct educational and demonstration work related to the distribution and marketing of agricultural products under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1621-162 7).
(64)
Administer a competitive grant program for non-profit institutions to establish and operate centers for rural technology or cooperative development (7 U.S.C. 1932(f) ).
(65)
Administer a nutrition education program for Food Stamp recipients and for the distribution of commodities on reservations (7 U.S.C. 2020(f) ).
(72)
Administer a cooperative extension program under the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3004 ).
(73)
Identify and compile information on methods of composting agricultural wastes and its potential uses and develop educational programs on composting (7 U.S.C. 3130 ).
(74)
Administer a National Food and Human Nutrition Research and Extension Program (7 U.S.C. 3171-317 3, 3175)
(76)
Design educational programs, implement, and distribute materials in cooperation with the cooperative extension services of the States emphasizing the importance of productive farmland pursuant to section 1544(a) of the Farmland Protection Policy Act (7 U.S.C. 4205(a) ).
(78)
Design, implement, and develop handbooks, technical guides, and other educational materials emphasizing sustainable agriculture production systems and practices (7 U.S.C. 5831 ).
(79)
Administer a competitive grant program to organizations to carry out a training program on sustainable agriculture (7 U.S.C. 5832 ).
(82)
Administer education programs on Indian reservations and tribal jurisdictions (7 U.S.C. 5930 ).
(83)
Administer competitive grants to States to establish a pilot project to coordinate food and nutrition education programs (7 U.S.C. 2027(a) and 5932 ).
(84)
Administer a demonstration grants program for support of an assistive technology program for farmers with disabilities (7 U.S.C. 5933 ).
(85)
Conduct educational and demonstrational work in cooperative farm forestry programs (16 U.S.C. 568 ).
(86)
Provide for an expanded and comprehensive extension program for forest and rangeland renewable resources (16 U.S.C. 1671-167 6).
(88)
Provide technical, financial, and educational assistance to State foresters and State extension directors on rural forestry assistance (16 U.S.C. 2102 ).
(89)
Provide educational assistance to State foresters under the Forest Stewardship Program (16 U.S.C. 2103a ).
(90)
Implement and conduct an educational program to assist the development of urban and community forestry programs (16 U.S.C. 2105 ).
(91)
Provide educational assistance to farmers regarding the Agricultural Water Quality Protection Program (16 U.S.C. 3838b ).
(93)
Conduct demonstrational and promotional activities related to farm dwellings and other buildings for the purposes of reducing costs and adapting and developing fixtures and appurtenances for more efficient and economical farm use (42 U.S.C. 1476(b) ).
(95)
Exercise the responsibilities of the Secretary under regulations dealing with Equal Employment Opportunity ( part 18 of this title ).
(96)
Carry out demonstration and educational activities authorized in section 202(c) of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act (43 U.S.C. 1592(c) ).
(97)
Provide educational and technical assistance in implementing and administering the conservation reserve program authorized in sections 1231-1244 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (Pub. L. No. 99-198, 99 Stat. 1509, 16 U.S.C. 3831-384 4).
(98)
Establish and administer a 1994 Institutions Endowment Fund and to enter into agreements necessary to do this ( Section 533(b)(c) of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994, 7 U.S.C. 301 note).
(99)
Make grants in equal amounts to 1994 Land-Grant Institutions to be used in the same manner as is prescribed for colleges under the Act of August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 417, chapter 841; 7 U.S.C. 321
et seq.) (commonly known as the Second Morrill Act), and subject to the requirements of such Act ( Sections 533 and 534 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Act of 1994, 7 U.S.C. 301 note).
(100)
Make competitive Institutional Capacity Building Grants to assist 1994 Institutions with constructing, acquiring, and remodeling buildings, laboratories, and other capital facilities (including fixtures and equipment) necessary to conduct instructional activities more effectively in agriculture and sciences ( Section 535 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994, 7 U.S.C. 301 note).
(101)
Make competitive grants to 1994 Land-Grant Institutions to conduct agricultural research that addresses high priority concerns of tribal, national, or multistate significance ( Section 536 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994, 7 U.S.C. 301 note).
(102)
Implement and administer the Community Food Projects Program, Innovative Programs for Addressing Common Community Problems, and the Healthy Urban Food Enterprise Center pursuant to the provisions of section 25 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2034 ).
(104)
Develop and carry out a system to monitor and evaluate agricultural research and extension activities conducted or supported by the Department of Agriculture that will enable the Secretary to measure the impact and effectiveness of research, extension, and education programs according to priorities, goals, and mandates established by law. Conduct a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art information technology systems for use in developing the system (7 U.S.C. 3129 ).
(105)
Conduct a pilot research program to link major cancer and heart and other circulatory disease research efforts with agricultural research efforts to identify compounds in vegetables and fruits that prevent these diseases (7 U.S.C. 3174a ).
(106)
Administer grants to 1890 land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee University, through Federal-grant funds to help finance research facilities and equipment including agricultural libraries (7 U.S.C. 3223 ).
(107)
Establish and administer competitive grants (or grants without regard to any requirement for competition) to Hispanic-serving Institutions for the purpose of promoting and strengthening the ability of Hispanic-serving Institutions to carry out education, applied research, and related community development programs (7 U.S.C. 3241 ).
(109)
Award a grant, on a competitive basis, to establish a red meat safety research center at an eligible research facility (7 U.S.C. 5929 ).
(110)
Coordinate the development and carrying out by Department agencies of all matters and functions pertaining to agricultural research conducted or funded by the Department involving biotechnology, including the development and implementation of guidelines for oversight of research activities, acting as liaison on all matters and functions pertaining to agricultural research in biotechnology between agencies within the Department and between the Department and other governmental, educational, or private organizations and carrying out any other activities authorized by (7 U.S.C. 3121 ).
(113)
Provide technical and educational assistance to conserve and enhance private grazing land resources (16 U.S.C. 2005b ).
(114)
Provide technical assistance to farmers and ranchers under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (16 U.S.C. 3830
et seq. ).
(115)
Coordinate USDA policy and conduct programs relative to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 136, et seq.) and coordinate the Department's Integrated Pest Management Programs and the Pesticide Assessment Program (7 U.S.C. 136-136y ).
(116)
Conduct programs of research, technology development, and education related to global climate change (7 U.S.C. 6701-671 0).
(117)
Represent the Department in international organizational activities and on international technical committees concerned with agricultural science, education, and development activities, including library and information science activities.
(119)
Ensure that agricultural research, extension, or education activities administered, on a competitive basis, by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service address a concern that is a priority and has national, multistate, or regional significance (7 U.S.C. 7611 ).
(120)
Solicit and consider input and recommendations from persons who conduct or use agricultural research, extension, or education; ensure that Federally supported and conducted agricultural research, extension, and education activities are accomplished in accord with identified management principles; and promulgate regulations concerning implementation of a process for obtaining stakeholder input at 1862, 1890, and 1994 Institutions and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities (7 U.S.C. 7612(b), (c), and (d)).
(121)
Establish procedures that provide for scientific peer review of each agricultural research grant administered, on a competitive basis, and for merit review of each agricultural extension or education grant administered, on a competitive basis, by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (7 U.S.C. 7613(a) ).
(122)
Consider the results of the annual review performed by the Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board regarding the relevance to priorities of the funding of all agricultural research, extension, or education activities conducted or funded by the Department and the adequacy of funding, when formulating each request for proposals, and evaluating proposals, involving an agricultural research, extension, or education activity funded, on a competitive basis, by the Department; and solicit and consider input from persons who conduct or use agricultural research, extension, or education regarding the prior year's request for proposals for each activity funded on a competitive basis (7 U.S.C. 7613(c) ).
(123)
Require a procedure to be established by each 1862, 1890, and 1994 Institution and Hispanic-serving agricultural college and university, for merit review of each agricultural research and extension activity funded and review of the activity in accordance with the procedure (7 U.S.C. 7613(e) ).
(128)
Administer competitive grants for integrated, multifunctional agricultural research, education, and extension activities (7 U.S.C. 7626 ).
(129)
Operate and administer the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database through contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements with appropriate colleges or universities (7 U.S.C. 7642 ).
(130)
Develop a national program of safe food handling education for adults and young people to reduce the risk of food-borne illness (7 U.S.C. 7655 ).
(131)
Cooperate with other Federal agencies (including the National Science Foundation) in issuing joint requests for proposals, awarding grants, and administering grants under any competitive agricultural research, education, or extension grant program (7 U.S.C. 3319b ).
(132)
Administer a program of competitive grants, establish education teams, and establish an online clearinghouse of curricula and training materials and programs, all for training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for the benefit of beginning farmers and ranchers (7 U.S.C. 3319f ).
(133)
Administer agricultural research, education, and extension activities (including through competitive grants), using any authority available to the Secretary, to reduce the vulnerability of the United States food and agricultural system to chemical or biological attack, to continue partnerships with institutions of higher education and other institutions to help form stable, long-term programs to enhance the biosecurity of the United States, to make competitive grants to universities and qualified research institutions for research on counterbioterrorism, and to counter or otherwise respond to chemical or biological attack (7 U.S.C. 3351 ).
(134)
Administer a program of competitive grants to colleges and universities for expansion and security upgrades to enhance the security of agriculture against bioterrorism (7 U.S.C. 3352 ).
(135)
Administer programs for distance education grants and resident instruction grants to eligible institutions in insular areas that have demonstrable capacity to carry out teaching and extension programs in the food and agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 3361-336 3).
(136)
Administer a program of cooperative research (including through competitive award of grants and cooperative agreements to colleges and universities) and extension projects on carbon cycling in soils and plants, the exchange of other greenhouse gases from agriculture, and the carbon sequestration benefits of conservation practices (7 U.S.C. 6711 ).
(137)
Administer a program, in coordination with State veterinarians and other appropriate State animal health professionals, to conduct research, testing, and evaluation of programs for the control and management of Johne's disease in livestock (7 U.S.C. 7629 ).
(138)
Administer a program of grants to the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, the Boy Scouts of America, the National 4-H Council, and the National FFA Organization to establish pilot projects to expand the programs carried out by the organizations in rural areas and small towns (7 U.S.C. 7630 ).
(139)
Oversee implementation of the termination of Federal schedule A civil service appointments of State agricultural extension employees at land-grant colleges and universities ( section 7220 of Pub. L. 107-171).
(140)
Administer and direct a program of grants to the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute ( section 10805 of Pub. L. 107-171).
(141)
Formulate and carry out the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Act program authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Service Act (7 U.S.C. 3151a ).
(142)
Administer grants to assist the land-grant university in the District of Columbia to acquire, alter, or repair facilities or relevant equipment necessary for conducting agricultural research (7 U.S.C. 3222b-1 ).
(143)
Administer grants to assist the land-grant institutions in insular areas to acquire, alter, or repair facilities or relevant equipment necessary for conducting agricultural research (7 U.S.C. 3222b-2 ).
(144)
Enter into agreements necessary to administer an Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities Fund; enter into agreements necessary to administer a program of making annual payments to Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities; administer an institutional capacity-building grants program for Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities; administer a competitive grants program to fund fundamental and applied research at Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities (7 U.S.C. 3243 ).
(145)
Administer the New Era Rural Technology Program to make grants for technology development, applied research, and training to aid in the development of an agriculture-based renewable energy workforce (7 U.S.C. 3319e ).
(146)
Administer a competitive grants program to assist NLGCA Institutions in maintaining and expanding capacity to conduct education, research, and outreach activities relating to agriculture, renewable resources, and other similar disciplines (7 U.S.C. 3319i ).
(147)
Administer the Agricultural Bioenergy Feedstock and Energy Efficiency Research and Extension Initiative to enhance the production of biomass energy crops and the energy efficiency of agricultural operations (7 U.S.C. 5925e ).
(148)
Administer a competitive research and extension grants program to improve the farm management knowledge and skills of agricultural producers and establish and maintain a national, publicly available farm financial management database to support improved farm management (7 U.S.C. 5925f ).
(150)
Administer a competitive research and education grants program relating to antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (7 U.S.C. 3202 ).
(151)
Administer a competitive grants program to establish and maintain a Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (7 U.S.C. 5936 ).
(154)
Administer a competitive grants program relating to agricultural and rural transportation research and education (7 U.S.C. 5938 ).
(155)
Administer a program of providing competitive grants to Hispanic-serving institutions for the purpose of establishing an undergraduate scholarship program to assist in the recruitment, retention, and training of Hispanics and other under-represented groups in forestry and related fields (16 U.S.C. 1649a ).
(157)
Administer a competitive grants program to encourage basic and applied research and the development of qualified agricultural countermeasures (7 U.S.C. 8921 ).
(158)
Administer a competitive grants program to promote the development of teaching programs in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and disciplines closely allied to the food and agriculture system to increase the number of trained individuals with an expertise in agricultural biosecurity (7 U.S.C. 8922 ).
(159)
Administer a program of providing grants to Alaska Native serving institutions and Native Hawaiian serving institutions for the purpose of promoting and strengthening the ability of those institutions to carry out education, applied research, and related community development programs (7 U.S.C. 3156 ).