7 U.S.C. § 5831: Technical guides and handbooks

Summary

The Secretary must develop and share handbooks, technical guides, and other educational materials that explain sustainable farming systems and practices. Not later than two years after November 28, 1990, these materials had to be made available. The Secretary must work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and other appropriate groups and coordinate with activities under section 3861 of title 16. The guides cover things like crop choices and rotations, soil building and tillage, nutrient and pest management, livestock care, habitat protection, and water, energy, and other conservation practices. The materials must give practical, how-to instructions so farmers can use the practices on their specific lands and keep farms profitable. They must help maintain soil and wildlife, use farm inputs efficiently, protect water quality, and make good use of on-farm and nonrenewable resources. The Secretary must make the guides available through colleges, the State Cooperative Extension Service, the Soil Conservation Service, other State and Federal agencies, and other appropriate places. Funding was authorized: such sums as are necessary for fiscal year 2013, and $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.

Title 7, §5831

Agriculture, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Development

Not later than two years after November 28, 1990, the Secretary shall develop and make available handbooks and technical guides, and any other educational materials that are appropriate for describing sustainable agriculture production systems and practices, as researched and developed under this subchapter, chapter 86 of this title, and other appropriate research programs of the Department.

(b)Consultation and coordination

The Secretary shall develop the handbooks, technical guides, and educational materials in consultation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and any other appropriate entities designated by the Secretary. The Secretary shall coordinate activities conducted under this section with those conducted under section 3861 of title 16.

(c)Topics of handbooks and guides

The handbooks and guides, and other educational materials, shall include detailed information on the selection of crops and crop-plant varieties, rotation practices, soil building practices, tillage systems, nutrient management, integrated pest management practices, habitat protection, pest, weed, and disease management, livestock management, soil, water, and energy conservation, and any other practices in accordance with or in furtherance of the purpose of this subchapter.

(d)Organization and contents

The handbooks and guides, and other educational materials, shall provide practical instructions and be organized in such a manner as to enable agricultural producers desiring to implement the practices and systems developed under this subchapter, chapter 86 of this title,1 and other appropriate research programs of the Department to address site-specific, environmental and resource management problems and to sustain farm profitability, including—

(1)enhancing and maintaining the fertility, productivity, and conservation of farmland and ranch soils, ranges, pastures, and wildlife;

(2)maximizing the efficient and effective use of agricultural inputs;

(3)protecting or enhancing the quality of water resources; or

(4)optimizing the use of on-farm and nonrenewable resources.

(e)Availability

The Secretary shall ensure that handbooks and technical guides, and other educational materials are made available to the agricultural community and the public through colleges and universities, the State Cooperative Extension Service, the Soil Conservation Service, other State and Federal agencies, and any other appropriate entities.

(f)Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section— (1)

(2)$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a), (c), and (d), was in the original “this subtitle”, meaning subtitle B (§§ 1619–1629) of title XVI of Pub. L. 101–624, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3733, which enacted this subchapter, repealed sections 4701 to 4710 of this title, and repealed provisions set out as a note under section 4701 of this title. For complete classification of subtitle B to the Code, see Tables. Chapter 86 of this title, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (d), was in the original “subtitle G of title XIV”, meaning subtitle G (§§ 1481–1485) of title XIV of Pub. L. 101–624, which was repealed by Pub. L. 105–185, title III, § 302(c), June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 563.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 115–334 substituted “2023” for “2018”. 2014—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 113–79 amended subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.” 1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–127, § 862(b)(3), struck out “section 5881 of this title,” before “and other appropriate”. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–127, § 860(c)(3), substituted “Natural Resources Conservation Service” for “Advisory Council, the Soil Conservation Service,”. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–127, § 862(b)(3), struck out “section 5881 of this title,” before “and other appropriate” in introductory provisions. 1991—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–237 substituted “educational” for “education”.

§5831 Technical Guides and Handbooks