Bill > HR4155

This bill amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to establish a comprehensive framework for creating and supporting Centers of Excellence in agricultural research and innovation. The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to recognize at least one center of excellence in each of 11 key focus areas, including aquaculture, beginning farmer training, biosecurity, agricultural engineering, biotechnology, crop production, digital agriculture, farm business management, food quality, foreign animal disease research, and forestry. Eligible host institutions include various types of agricultural colleges and universities, with an emphasis on geographic diversity. These centers will be tasked with conducting research, providing extension services, and developing educational programs, with a focus on reducing duplicative efforts, leveraging public-private partnerships, and addressing emerging agricultural challenges. The bill authorizes $10 million annually through 2030 to support these centers, which will operate on five-year renewable grants. Additionally, the bill establishes an Agriculture and Food Protection Grant Program to support research and educational activities aimed at protecting the agricultural system from potential chemical, biological, cybersecurity, or bioterrorism threats, with $10 million annually authorized from 2026 to 2030 to fund competitive grants to eligible research institutions and organizations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4155/all-info