CFR > Title 7 - Agriculture > SUBTITLE B—Regulations of the Department of Agriculture > CHAPTER XXXIV—NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (parts 3400 to 3431) > PART 3430—COMPETITIVE AND NONCOMPETITIVE NON-FORMULA FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS—GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS > SUBPART H—Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (§3430.400 to §3430.407) > 3430.401—Purpose.

3430.401—Purpose.

(a) The purpose of this program is to make competitive grants, in consultation with the Advisory Board, to support research and extension activities regarding organically grown and processed agricultural commodities.
(b) Grants may be made for the following purposes:
(1) Facilitating the development of organic agriculture production, breeding, and processing methods;
(2) Evaluating the potential economic benefits to producers and processors who use organic methods;
(3) Exploring international trade opportunities for organically grown and processed agricultural commodities;
(4) Determining desirable traits for organic commodities;
(5) Identifying marketing and policy constraints on the expansion of organic agriculture;
(6) Conducting advanced on-farm research and development that emphasizes observation of, experimentation with, and innovation for working organic farms, including research relating to production and marketing and to socioeconomic conditions;
(7) Examining optimal conservation and environmental outcomes relating to organically produced agricultural products; and
(8) Developing new and improved seed varieties that are particularly suited for organic agriculture.