S. 541 would amend the farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to promote local and regional support for sustainable bioenergy and biobased products, it would support the future of farming, forestry, and land management, and it would develop and support local bioenergy, biobased products, and food systems.
Detailed Summary
Rural Opportunities Act of 2007 - Amends the Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) make state grants for extension, education, applied research, and development activities at institutions of higher education, state agencies, or partnerships for local and regional bioenergy and biobased product use and production; and (2) provide funds for basic research on next generation technology.
Authorizes the Secretary to make supplemental rural cooperative development grants.
Amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary to: (1) establish regional bonus grant funds for bioenergy and biobased products competitive research, education, and extension programs; and (2) carry out agroforestry conversion and cellulosic production pilot programs.
Extends: (1) the renewable energy systems and energy improvements program; and (2) the value-added agricultural grant program.
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to make state grants for development of the next generation of farmers, ranchers, and other land managers. Directs the Secretary to carry out specified pilot programs.
Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend: (1) the beginning farmer and rancher development program; and (2) the organic certification cost-share program.
Directs the Secretary to identify barriers to small, beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged producers in conservation and farm support programs.
Authorizes funds for rural technology transfers.
Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to extend the best utilization of biological applications program. Establishes a federal-state matching grant program.
Extends: (1) the national training program; (2) the organic agriculture research and extension program; and (3) the socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers outreach and technical assistance program.
Amends the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 to direct the Secretary to establish a national organic agriculture conversion and stewardship incentives program.
Authorizes geographic produce and food procurement preferences for certain Department of Defense and Department of Agriculture programs.
Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to extend the women, infants, and children (WIC) farmers' market nutrition program.
Amends the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 to extend the farmers market promotion program.
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to extend, and revise funding provisions for, assistance for community food projects.
Requires: (1) broadband service providers to provide the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with specified information; and (2) the FCC to provide Congress with demographic information for underserved areas.
Sets forth specified offset provisions.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 2/8/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
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