Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024, SEC. 7208. "HIGH-PRIORITY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVES."

Summary

Establishes research and extension grants for developing and evaluating the agricultural application of artificial intelligence.

Emphasizes the use of AI to improve specialty crop production.

Authorizes these initiatives under the amendments to the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.

Encourages research projects that focus on innovative methods and technologies enhancing agricultural efficiency.

Places potential emphasis on mechanizing agricultural processes, though AI-specific focus is primarily on specialty crop production.

Amends the law to fund coffee plant health research, focusing on pests, weeds, and preventative measures.

SEC. 7208. 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.'';

Authorizes macadamia tree health research, pest management, data collection, biology, ecology, genomics, and protective measures.

(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.'';

Inserts a requirement to review cattle fever tick eradication effectiveness.

(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

Establishes initiatives for PFAS impacts, peanut aflatoxin, biochar, pest control, wheat resilience, invasive species, mechanized harvesting.

(4) 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 methods to mitigate and remediate the impacts of perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances (as so defined). ``(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 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) Advanced mechanized harvester technologies research and extension.-- ``(A) In general.--Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose of developing and evaluating technologies to mechanize agricultural processes. ``(B) Emphasis.--In awarding grants under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may place emphasis on mechanizing the process for harvesting specialty crops.

Allows grants for developing AI agricultural applications, emphasizing specialty crop production improvements.

``(29) 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.

Supports research grants for aquaculture, white oak resiliency, sunflower breeding, and extends funding authorizations to 2029.

``(30) 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. ``(31) White oak research initiative.-- ``(A) In general.--Research grants may be made under this section to a land-grant college or university (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) 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 the resistance of white oak to disease, pests, heat, and drought in cultivated, new, and old-growth white oak timber stands. ``(32) 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.''. (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 ``2029''. (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 ``2029''. (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 ``2029''. (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 ``2029''.