§5926 Centers of excellence

Summary

The Secretary must give priority for competitive research and extension funding to centers of excellence that do research, education, and outreach in food and agricultural sciences. Center of excellence: one or more eligible groups that provide money or in-kind support. 1890 Institution: a type of college defined in another law. To be recognized, a center must avoid duplicate work, use public-private partnerships to stretch resources, teach and share solutions through extension, and help rural economies by directing funds to high-priority agricultural problems. When possible, centers should also help improve teaching capacity and facilities at colleges and universities. The Secretary must recognize at least three centers led by 1890 Institutions. These centers may focus on student training for agriculture and STEM jobs; improving access to healthy food and nutrition; helping farmers with production, processing, marketing, and reducing food deserts; international agricultural partnerships and disaster recovery; protecting natural resources; and developing new technologies for farm productivity and small-farm viability. Congress authorized $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. No later than 1 year after December 20, 2018, and every year after, the Secretary must report to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees on the money invested and the centers’ work.