Agriculture and Food Act of 1981

(Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 97-377)

Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 - Title I: Dairy - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act as amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 to provide for milk producer initiated marketing order amendment hearings.

Extends through 1985: (1) dairy base plan authority; (2) the program of price-supported dairy products for the military and veterans' hospitals; and (3) the dairy indemnity program.

Sets milk price supports per hundredweight for fiscal years 1982-1985 at $13.10, $13.25, $14.00, and $14.60, respectively. Establishes price supports for fiscal years 1983-1985 at between 70-75 percent of parity.

Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to reduce inventories of Commodity Credit Corporation dairy products to reduce outlays to the level used for budgetary purposes under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

Directs the Secretary to report to the House and Senate agriculture committees by December 31, 1982, regarding regional food security aspects of the dairy support program and milk marketing orders.

Title II: Wool and Mohair - Amends the National Wool Act of 1954 to extend the wool and mohair price support program through 1985. Revises the support level from 85 to 77.5 percent of the formula rate.

Title III: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for loans and purchases of the 1982-1985 wheat crops at not less than $3.55 per bushel. Stipulates that the Secretary may adjust levels downward by up to ten percent (but not less than $3.00 per bushel) whenever the yearly price for the previous year is not more than 105 percent of the current loan and purchase level. Requires the Secretary to provide producers with the same return they would have received if such loan reductions occur.

Sets minimum target prices for each of these years at $4.05, $4.30, $4.45, and $4.65, respectively. Permits the Secretary to increase prices to reflect increased production costs.

Makes prevented planting and disaster payments available for such crop years for producers for whom Federal crop insurance is not available. Authorizes the Secretary to make disaster payments to any wheat producer whose losses can not be alleviated by other assistance and crop insurance programs.

Directs the Secretary to proclaim a national program acreage for each of the 1982-1985 wheat crops by not later than August 15 of each year. Sets forth national and individual acreage allocation formulas. Authorizes the Secretary to revise them as necessary.

Authorizes the Secretary to provide for either an acreage limitation program or a set-aside program. Provides with regard to the acreage limitation program: (1) for conservation use of unused acreage; (2) that producers who knowingly produce in excess of their limit shall be ineligible for program loans, purchases, and payments; (3) that the Secretary shall announce the program by August 15; and (4) that limitations shall be based on a uniform reduction of planted wheat acreage.

Provides with regard to the set-aside program: (1) for conservation use of set-aside acreage as an eligibility requirement for price support assistance; (2) that the Secretary shall announce the program by August 15; (3) that the Secretary may limit wheat acreage if a set-aside program is in effect; and (4) that such acreage may be planted for grazing.

Requires the Secretary to consider the effects of soil erosion where summer fallow practices are in effect in determining how much acreage to be idled under these programs.

Authorizes land diversion payments for the 1982-1985 wheat crops and payments for wildlife food plots and habitats.

Authorizes the Secretary to permit State or county committees to waive or modify certain agreement deadlines.

Exempts the 1982-1985 wheat crops from: (1) wheat processor and exporter certificate requirements; (2) marketing quota and producer certificate requirements; (3) quota provisions; and (4) price support provisions.

Title IV: Feed Grains - Provides for loans and purchases of the 1982-1985 corn crops at not less than $2.55 per bushel. Stipulates that such levels may be adjusted downward by up to ten percent (but not less than $2.00 per bushel) if the yearly price for the previous year is not more than 105 percent of the current loan and purchase level. Provides for loans and purchases of the 1982-1985 grain sorghum, barley, oats, and rye crops at a level based on the loan level for corn.

Sets minimum 1982-1985 corn target prices at $2.70, $2.86, $3.03, and $3.18, respectively. Authorizes the Secretary to increase prices to reflect increased production costs. Bases target prices for the other feed grains on parallel corn prices.

Makes disaster payments available under the same conditions as apply to wheat.

Authorizes the Secretary to provide for either an acreage limitation program and a set-aside program. Requires the Secretary to announce such programs by November 15.

Permits the Secretary to exclude malting barley from any overall barley acreage reduction.

Authorizes land diversion payments for the 1982-1985 feed grain crops and payments for wildlife food plots and habitats.

Authorizes the Secretary to permit State or county committees to waive or modify certain agreement deadlines.

Title V: Cotton - Sets minimum target prices for the 1982-1985 upland cotton crops at $.71, $.76, $.81, and $.86, respectively, plus any adjustments for production costs, 120 percent of the loan level.

Provides for deficiency payments to producers for 1982-1985 if the average market price is less than the established price. Sets forth payment formulas.

Makes disaster payments and acreage limitations available under the same conditions as apply to wheat.

Authorizes land diversion payments for the 1982-1985 cotton crops and payments for wildlife food plots and habitats.

Suspends marketing quotas, base acreage allotments, and related provisions for the 1982-1985 upland cotton crops.

Extends skiprow provisions through 1985. Bases the preliminary allotment for the 1986 crop on the permanent (as adjusted) 1977 acreage allotment.

Decreases the loan level for the 1982-1985 crops of extra long staple cotton to between 75-125 percent in excess of the loan level for Strict Low Middling one and one-sixteenth inch upland cotton. Makes such level available when marketing quotas have not been disapproved.

Title VI: Rice - Repeals acreage allotment and marketing quota programs for rice.

Establishes minimum per hundredweight target prices for the 1982-1985 rice crops at $10.85, $11.40, $11.90, and $12.40, respectively. Authorizes the Secretary to raise prices to reflect increased production costs.

Authorizes acreage limitations and disaster payments for 1982-1985 in the same manner as for wheat. Computes disaster payments on 75 percent of the farm program yield times one-third of the target price.

Sets forth farm yield computation provisions.

Authorizes land diversion programs for the 1982-1985 crops and payments for wildlife food plots and habitats.

Requires the Secretary to report by July 31, 1981, to the Congress on rice futures trading, including the feasibility of using the average seasonal price received by farmers as a basis for computing loan and target prices.

Title VII: Peanuts - Suspends marketing quotas and acreage allotments for the 1982-1985 peanut crops.

Sets the minimum national poundage quotas for 1982-1985 at 1,200,000 tons, 1,167,300 tons, 1,134,700 tons, and 1,100,000 tons, respectively. Provides that such reductions shall be achieved to the maximum extent possible from nonpeanut producing acreage.

Bases national poundage apportionment among the States on the basis of 1981 allocations. Sets forth formulas for farm yields and farm poundage quotas. Permits undermarketings to be carried forward to subsequent years. Stipulates that these poundage carryovers shall not be counted against the national poundage quota.

Requires the Secretary to conduct an annual four-year poundage quota referendum (by December 15) of farmers producing quota peanuts. Provides that if: (1) two-thirds favor quotas no referendum shall be held for the next three years; and (2) one-third oppose quotas no quota will be in effect for the following year.

Permits sale, lease, or transfer of farm poundage quotas. Places specified limitations on such transactions.

Makes the penalty for excess "quota" and "additional" peanut marketing 140 percent of the support price for such peanuts.

Directs the Secretary to permit county committees to waive marketing penalties of minor weight violations.

Requires that domestic edible peanut acreage be planted from quota peanuts.

Subjects handlers to a penalty of 120 percent of the loan level for excess domestic quota marketing.

Gives sole authority to the designated area marketing associations for selling additional peanuts under loan when such peanuts are sold at prices not less than the Commodity Credit Corporation's minimum price. Permits quota and additional peanuts of like type to be mixed and exchanged on a dollar value basis to facilitate handling.

Authorizes additional peanut contracts for crushing and export. Requires such contracts to be submitted to the Secretary before April 15. Permits such peanuts to be used as quota peanuts in specified situations.

Permits Commodity Credit Corporation peanuts to be sold for domestic edible use at prices at least equal to costs plus 100-107 percent of the loan value of quota peanuts.

Provides with regard to the 1982-1985 peanut crops: (1) that the minimum support rate for 1982 will be $.275 per pound; (2) that the support rate for the 1983-1985 crops will be the previous year's rate adjusted for production cost increases; (3) any increases will be limited to six percent; and (4) that additional peanuts shall be supported on the same basis whether produced by new or old producers.

Directs the Secretary to make warehouse storage loans available to designated area marketing associations (except to specified cooperatives) and to use such associations in related supervisory and administrative activities.

Extends producer reporting and recordkeeping requirements through 1985. Requires area marketing associations to maintain information and establish pools for loan peanuts.

Suspends specified price support provisions for the 1982-1985 peanut crops.

Title VIII: Soybeans - Establishes a price support loan and purchase program for the 1982-1985 soybean crops. Bases such level on 75 percent of the average Chicago cash price for number one yellow soybeans for the five market years preceding the current year. Sets a minimum support price of $5.02 per bushel.

Authorizes the Secretary to lower such level ten percent each year (but not below $4.50 per bushel) if the previous year's average market price was not in excess of 105 percent of the loan rate for that year.

States that soybeans are ineligible for the producer storage reserve program and the production adjustment control program.

Prohibits the Secretary from requiring production adjustment participation as a condition for price support eligibility.

Title IX: Sugar - Establishes a price support program for the 1982-1985 sugar beet and sugar cane crops.

Sets the support level for the period ending March 31, 1982, to approximate a raw sugar price of $.1675 per pound.

Requires the Secretary, as of October 1, 1982, to support sugar prices through 1985 as follows: (1) for sugar cane, $.17, $.175, $.1775, and $.18; and (2) for sugar beets, at a level in relation to the support level for raw sugar cane.

Title X: Grain Reserves and National Agricultural Cost of Production Standards Review Board - Subtitle A: Grain Reserves - Directs the Secretary to carry out the producer storage program for wheat and feed grains. Prohibits: (1) loans to be made at less than current wheat and feed grain support levels; or (2) interest to be less than the Commodity Credit Corporation's interest rate. Authorizes the Secretary to increase such rate as necessary.

Authorizes the Secretary to require early repayment in emergency cases, after first notifying the House and Senate agricultural committees.

Authorizes the Secretary to provide for redemption and marketing of stored stocks without regard to loan maturity dates whenever the Secretary determines the market price has reached specified levels.

Prohibits the Commodity Credit Corporation from selling wheat or feed grains at less than 110 percent of the current price level.

Replaces the existing wheat reserve requirement with one authorizing the Secretary to place upper limits of at least 700,000,000 bushels for wheat and 1,000,000,000 bushels for feed grains.

Prohibits Commodity Credit Corporation wheat and feed grain stocks from being sold at less than 110 percent of the current release level when the producer storage program is in effect. Exempts emergency feed program, disaster reserve, and corn (for use as alcohol fuel) sales from such prohibition.

Authorizes the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation county committee to forgive penalties against a producer who samples, moves, or replaces a commodity held as security for a Commodity Credit Corporation loan or under a producer reserve program. Permits the Administrator of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service or the State committee to disapprove such action within 60 days.

Makes the disaster reserve program discretionary.

Subtitle B: National Agricultural Cost of Production Standards Review Board - Establishes the National Agricultural Cost of Production Standards Review Board. Requires the Board to report annually to the Secretary and the House and Senate agriculture committees. Authorizes necessary appropriations. Terminates the Board as of September 30, 1985.

Title XI: Miscellaneous - Subtitle A: Miscellaneous Commodity Provisions - Extends annual payment limitations for wheat, feed grains, rice, and upland cotton through 1985. Prohibits payments to State lands as long as such lands are formed in furtherance of a public function.

Makes the Secretary's determination final regarding payments, loans, or other activity under the wheat, rice, feed grain, or upland cotton programs.

Authorizes the Secretary for the 1982-1985 wheat and feed grain crops to: (1) provide for a cropland set-aside if an embargo is placed on such commodities; and (2) require whenever a set-aside program is in effect as a condition of eligibility for loans, purchases, and payments under the Agricultural Act of 1949 that producers not exceed acreage normally planted to crops designated by the Secretary and reduced by any set-aside or diverted acreage.

Revises tobacco quota provisions to exempt: (1) Maryland (type 32) tobacco when it is nonquota tobacco and produced in a quota area of a farm for which a marketing quota was first in effect; and (2) certain cigar tobaccos that have never been under quota but are in a State where quotas are in effect.

Expresses the intent of Congress that the tobacco program be administered in a way that results in no net cost to the public, other than incidental administrative costs. Directs the Secretary by January 1982 to promulgate regulations to effect this, and to recommend legislative action to the Congress.

Subtitle B: General Provisions - Extends the special grazing and hay program through 1985.

Makes the emergency feed program discretionary. Extends coverage to poultry producers.

Directs: (1) the Secretary to appoint a special task force to study the concept of farm income protection insurance; (2) such task force to report to the Senate and House agriculture committees within 18 months of enactment of this Act; and (3) such task force to be dissolved 45 days after submitting such report.

Amends the United States Grain Standards Act to authorize State agencies to perform official inspections at export port locations under specified circumstances.

Requires free distribution of surplus commodities not likely to be sold by the Commodity Credit Corporation (or used in other commodity distributions) to nutritional programs for children, the elderly, and the needy. Revises the report date. Authorizes necessary appropriations.

Revises title XVIII of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 relating to Department of Agriculture advisory committees.

Amends the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, 1930, to increase license fee ceilings and the damage threshhold entitling a respondent to an oral hearing.

Amends the Agricultural Act of 1970 to revise the factors to be included in the Secretary's annual cost of production study.

Amends the Federal Seed Act to make it unlawful to advertise or offer for sale by variety name protected seed (certified under the Plant Variety Protection Act) not certified by a State agency.

Amends the Federal Plant Pest Act to authorize the Secretary to take remedial action whenever an extraordinary emergency exists. Requires that such action be consistent with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. Requires the Secretary to consult with the Governor of the affected State and make a public announcement and file with the Federal Register before taking remedial action. Requires that related costs be at the expense of the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to pay compensation.

Amends the Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 1944 to authorize the release of bee germ plasm to the public.

Authorizes the Secretary to charge user fees for reports and publications.

Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to subject imported meat and meat products capable of use as human food to the same inspections and standards that apply to domestic products. Prohibits the importation of foreign products that do not meet these standards. Directs the Secretary to enforce those provisions by random inspections and samplings at foreign locations.

Title XII: Agricultural Exports and Public Law 480 - Subtitle A: General Export Provisions - Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 to establish in the U.S. Treasury an Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund to make loans to foreign purchasers of U.S. agricultural commodities and breeding animals and for loans for related overseas facilities construction acquisition. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary to make annual reports (beginning not later than December 1, 1982) to Congress. Dissolves such Fund effective October 1, 1985. Requires funds to be used for expansion as well as market development.

Encourages the President to consult with the appropriate congressional committees before entering into bilateral commodity supply agreements.

Directs the Secretary to formulate a special export subsidy program to neutralize the effects of foreign subsidies in non-U.S. markets. Sets forth the determinations which the President must make before the Secretary may act. Prohibits any such program for cotton.

Requires the Secretary to make compensatory loans or payments to farmers affected by a national security or foreign policy agriculture embargo if: (1) the embargo does not block all exports to the other countries; and (2) such country imported more than three percent of all such agricultural commodities exported the year before. Sets forth payment amounts.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of foreign trade policies and practices as they affect U.S. agricultural exports; and (2) report to the Congress within 180 days.

Directs the Secretary to develop a plan to deal with the adverse impact of suspension on export sales. Requires: (1) the plan to assess existing farm programs, evaluate available information, and develop criteria to determine necessary protective offsets; (2) the Secretary to report to the Congress; and (3) the Commodity Credit Corporation to justify any contract purchases.

Encourages the Secretary, in coordination with appropriate Federal agencies, to continue consultations on grain marketing with other major grain exporting nations.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should consult with Japanese officials to develop standards for export certification of lettuce and other commodities to Japan.

Expresses a finding of Congress concerning the increased food use of protein byproducts derived from alcohol fuel production. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress within 12 months.

Exempts protein byproducts of agriculturally-based alcohol fuel production from specified Commodity Credit Corporation requirements.

Subtitle B: Public Law 480 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to extend through 1985 the President's authority to make agricultural sales under tile I of such Act and provide commodity assistance under title II of such Act. Deletes annual appropriation ceilings under title I and increases such ceiling to $1,000,000,000 under title II. Increases from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 the annual foreign currency limit for emergency nonfood relief.

Adds specified self-help requirements under title I eligibility.

Repeals Commodity Credit Corporation ocean freight provisions.

Repeals the provision limiting the amount of title I agreements.

Makes distilled spirits eligible for the market development program in the same manner as beer and wine.

Changes the annual reporting date to Congress from April 1 to July 1.

Limits spending authority to amounts appropriated.

Title XIII: Food Stamp and Commodity Distribution Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to authorize up to $11,300,000,000 for fiscal year 1982.

Includes within the definition of "reservation" any land over which a tribal organization exercises any governmental jurisdiction. Authorizes a food distribution program in Oklahoma for eligible Indian and other households.

Establishes a separate thrifty food plan for Alaska's rural areas.

Provides for an annual October adjustment of the thrifty food plan beginning with October 1, 1982. Subjects the adjustment periods to congressional revision.

Excludes from food stamp income any income that Federal law specifically excludes from consideration as income for such purpose, including energy assistance payments. Excludes from food stamp income State or local energy assistance payments that are calculated on a seasonal basis.

Prohibits the deduction of third party expenses from household income computation.

Attributes a portion of the income of a legally admitted alien's sponsor to that alien for three years after entry.

Revises work requirements to: (1) include recipient households within the 60-day applicant disqualification for households where a wage earner has quit his or her job without good cause; (2) disqualify food stamp households if a member has not met comparable work requirements of another Federal program; (3) exempt household members with young children from specified work registration requirements; and (4) require work registration annually rather than every six months.

Makes States strictly liable for losses occuring in the handling and issuing of food stamps.

Eliminates the 60-day transfer of benefits for a household moving to another jurisdiction.

Eliminates the 30-day requirement for notice to reapply.

Provides that the Comptroller General shall have audit access to applicant and recipient records and records for retail and wholesale food businesses.

Requires a household to request that improperly denied benefits be restored before they may be restored. Provides that benefits found judicially to have been wrongfully withheld shall be restored only for periods of not more than one year before such legal action began.

Requires State agencies to Social Security and unemployment wage data to verify recipients' earnings.

Revises nutrition education provisions.

Permits Alaska to use non-State employees to administer the food stamp program in rural areas.

Eliminates the requirement that the Secretary establish State staffing requirements.

Increases the requirements States must meet to receive additional Federal funds for administrative costs.

Requires recipient households to furnish the Social Security numbers of all household members.

Extends cash-out pilot programs through fiscal year 1985. Permits States to limit this extension to specified projects. Expands the scope of such cash programs.

Provides for nutritional monitoring of low-income people. Requires annual reports to the House and Senate agricultural committees beginning in July 1982.

Authorizes two State and 14 local pilot projects to simplify application processing for certain AFDC, SSI, and Medicaid recipients.

Authorizes food stamp appropriations for fiscal year 1982.

Permits local governments to operate workfare programs.

Revises accounting provisions relating to licensed vehicles.

Provides for law enforcement access to food stamp information.

Provides for minimum court sentencing for violations of such Act.

Requires reporting of abuses through retail store notices.

Authorizes two-year authority for pilot projects using the commodity supplemental food program for low-income elderly people. Extends through fiscal year 1985 commodity supplemental food programs for pregnant women, new mothers, and children.

Permits retailers to redeem food stamps in savings and loan institutions.

Authorizes certain employees of the Office of the Inspector General to conduct specified law enforcement functions.

Permits disabled parents living with their children to apply as separate households.

Title XIV: National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1981 - National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1981 - Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to revise the congressional findings and purposes of such Act to give greater emphasis to the role of State agricultural extension services in research and teaching in the food and agricultural sciences.

Extends the term of the Joint Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences to September 30, 1985. Increases membership to at least 25 persons, to be appointed in staggered three-year terms. Requires: (1) an annual report on priorities to be submitted to the Congress by June 30 of each year; (2) an annual research and teaching report to be submitted to the Congress by November 30 of each year; and (3) a five year plan to be submitted to the Congress by June 30, 1983.

Extends the term of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Users Advisory Board to September 30, 1985. Increases membership from 21 to 25 persons. Establishes staggered terms for such members. Changes the due date of the Board's: (1) annual recommendations to the Secretary from October 31 to July 1; and (2) appraisal of the President's budget from March 1 to February 20.

Emphasizes the role of State cooperative institutions in providing regional planning and cooperation.

Changes the date of the Secretary's annual agricultural research report from February 1 to January 1.

Requires the Subcommittee on Food, Agricultural and Forestry Research, the Joint Council, and the Advisory Board to conduct joint meetings and coordinate activities.

Creates an additional Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for agricultural research, extension, and teaching programs.

States that the Department of Agriculture should establish working relationships with foreign information and data systems. Revises specified notification responsibilities of the National Agricultural Library's Food and Nutrition Information and Education Resources Center.

Authorizes appropriations for competitive research grants through fiscal year 1985. Makes land grant college research foundations and veterinary colleges eligible for special grants.

Amends the Research Facilities Act of 1963 to extend authorizations of appropriations through fiscal year 1985.

Eliminates the fund apportionment requirement for veterinary schools.

Changes the emphasis of facilities grants from purchasing equipment, land, and supplies to renovating existing buildings and limited new construction. Makes forestry schools and 1980 land grant colleges eligible for such grants. Authorizes specified appropriations for research facilities grants for fiscal year 1982-1985.

Revises guidelines for higher education food and agricultural sciences grants. Transfers functions of the Secretary of Education under the Bankhead-Jones Act and the Morrill Act to the Secretary. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1982-1985.

Changes the title of the award authorized in section 1418 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to the National Agricultural Science Award.

Extends the authorization of appropriations for alcohol and industrial hydrocarbon research grants through fiscal year 1985. Increases the maximum amounts awardable to institutions in any one State. Limits total awards to $40,000,000.

Establishes an allocation formula for distributing funds under the nutrition education program.

Requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services to formulate a report on human nutrition research and information management.

Extends the term of the Animal Health Science Research Advisory Board to September 30, 1985. Limits animal health and research funding to State agricultural experiment stations and accredited veterinary schools. Requires the Secretary to establish priority lists of animal health problems and award grants on the basis of these priorities. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1982-1985.

Provides that for fiscal year 1982 annual extension appropriations at 1890 land grant colleges (including Tuskegee Institute) shall not be less than five and one-half percent of the total annual appropriation under the Smith-Lever Act. Increases such amount to six percent for subsequent years.

Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1982-1985 for agricultural research at such colleges. Permits funds to be used for travel by non-Federal scientists to research meetings. Establishes a dairy goat research program.

Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982-1985 to upgrade research facilities at these institutions.

Authorizes appropriations for solar model farms and demonstration projects through fiscal year 1985.

Directs the Secretary to utilize institutions of higher education to develop linkages among such institutions, the Federal Government, and international research centers to improve worldwide food and agricultural progress. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance (on a reimbursable basis) to U.S. institutions so involved.

Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982-1985 for agricultural research and extension programs.

Provides that funds made available by the Secretary under specified Acts shall not be subject to reduction for indirect costs incurred by the recipient.

Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish an aquaculture research and extension program; (2) make grants to colleges and universities, federal laboratories, and experiment stations; and (3) assist States (up to $50,000) in formulating aquaculture development plans. Directs the Secretary to: (1) report annually to the President and to the House and Senate Committees on Agriculture and Appropriations; and (2) establish an Aquaculture Advisory Board whose term shall end September 30, 1985. Authorizes specified appropriations through fiscal year 1985.

Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish a rangeland research program on a matching grant basis; and (2) make grants to colleges and universities, Federal laboratories, and experiment stations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) report annually to the President and the House and Senate Committees on Agriculture and Appropriations; and (2) establish a Rangeland Advisory Board whose term shall end September 30, 1985. Authorizes appropriations not to exceed $10,000,000 annually for fiscal year 1982-1985.

Amends the McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962 to direct the Secretary to appoint an advisory forestry council.

Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to permit the Secretary to furnish excess Federal property to State or county extension services, 1890 land grant colleges, and State experiment stations.

Amends title V of the Rural Development Act of 1972 to revise and extend the rural development and small farm research and extension programs.

Establishes within the Department of Agriculture a Soybean Research Advisory Institute. Requires the Institute to report to the House and Senate agriculture committees by March 1, 1983.

Vests sole administrative jurisdiction with the Secretary over lands on which the United States Sheep Experiment Station (Idaho) and the Summer Range (Montana) are located.

Title XV: Resources Conservation - Subtitle A: Soil and Water Conservation - Reaffirms Congress' policy to improve and protect soil and water resources and promote conservation.

Subtitle B: Special Areas Conservation Program - Requires the Secretary to establish a Special Areas Conservation Program to identify and correct severe erosion or water management problems. Provides technical and financial assistance on a cost-sharing basis to aid operators and landowners in carrying out conservation measures (as set forth in approved conservation plans in designated areas).

Terminates special area designation authority as of September 30, 1991. Requires congressional approval of such designations.

States that participants would not be disqualified from receiving benefits under other Department of Agriculture programs.

Authorizes necessary appropriations.

Requires the Secretary to report to Congress every five years beginning no later than January 1, 1986.

Subtitle C: Amendments to the Small Watershed Program and the Bankhead - Jones Farm Tenant Act - Permits Indian tribes and organizations to sponsor small watershed projects.

Exempts watershed projects that involve less than $5,000,000 (presently $1,000,000) in Federal funds from congressional approval.

Authorizes the Secretary to share up to 50 percent of the cost of acquiring land and rights-of-way by local organizations for fish and wildlife losses.

Adds energy conservation as an element that may be included in Federal small watershed project agreements.

Amends the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act to permit energy resources development in connection with conservation projects eligible for cost sharing.

Subtitle D: Matching Grants for Conservation Activities - Directs the Secretary to establish a matching grant program with local governmental units through State soil conservation agencies. Requires local participants to: (1) have a long-range program in effect; (2) have an annual work plan consistent with such program in effect; and (3) have matching fund sources available. Authorizes necessary appropriations through fiscal year 1991. Requires the Secretary to report to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees by January 1, 1986, and again by January 1, 1991. States that such grants shall be made to augment rather than replace other Department of Agriculture technical and financial assistance.

Subtitle E: Conservation Loan Program - Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to direct the Corporation, beginning with fiscal year 1982, to make loans for natural resource conservation and environmental enhancement measures recommended by specified county and State conservation committees as part of an overall local plan. Provides with regard to such loans that: (1) loan duration shall not exceed ten years, with interest rates based upon interest charged to the Corporation by the Treasury; (2) annual loans to an individual shall not exceed $25,000; and (3) loans over $10,000 must be secured. Limits total annual loans to $200,000,000.

Subtitle F: Reservoir Sedimentation Reduction Program - Authorizes the Secretary to establish a pilot program for reducing excessive sedimentation in up to five public reservoirs. Requires the House and Senate agriculture committees to approve each sedimentation reduction plan.

Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1983-1987.

Requires the Secretary to report to Congress by January 1, 1987.

Subtitle G: Volunteers for Department of Agriculture Programs - Authorizes the use of volunteer conservation workers. Considers such volunteers Federal employees only for purposes of work-related injury and Federal tort claims. Authorizes necessary appropriations.

Subtitle H: Resource Conservation and Development Program - Requires the Secretary to establish a Resource Conservation and Development program to provide financial and technical assistance to State and local governments and nonprofit organizations to develop plans of land conservation and water management in up to 225 designated rural areas.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a Resource Conservation and Development Policy Board; and (2) report to the House and Senate agricultural committees by December 31, 1986.

Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982-1987.

Subtitle I: Farmland Protection Policy Act - Farmland Protection Policy Act - Directs the Department of Agriculture in connection with other Federal agencies to develop: (1) a farmland protection policy; and (2) criteria for identifying the effect of Federal programs on the conversion of farmland to nonagricultural uses. Requires the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees within one year. Encourages the Secretary to provide technical assistance to State, local, and nonprofit entities seeking to limit such conversion. Directs the Secretary to develop agricultural land resource information.

Subtitle J: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to use Soil Conservation Service resources in natural disaster rescue operations.

Authorizes the Secretary to implement experimental reclamation treatment projects to control erosion and improve water quality on unreclaimed mined lands within a hydrologic unit, consisting of up to 25,000 acres.

Authorizes the Secretary to make payments to farmers who remove cropland from production for up to one year in areas where the soil normally freezes at least four inches in order to install enduring conservation measures which require excavation.

Urges the Secretary to: (1) promote conservation tillage as a way of controlling soil erosion; and (2) conduct research regarding the advantages and disadvantages of conservation tillage over other soil conservation practices.

Title XVI: Credit, Rural Development, and Family Farms - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to permit cooperatives to receive Farmers Home Administration (FHA) loans if unable to otherwise get credit.

Equalizes credit access for widows and other single parents.

Permits the Secretary to approve certain long-term leases between Farmers Home Administration loan recipients and third-parties.

Requires loan applicants to furnish written net worth statements.

Amends the Emergency Agricultural Credit Adjustment Act of 1978 to extend the FHA economic emergency loan program through fiscal year 1982. Limits annual new loans to $600,000,000.

Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to limit the facility loan program to areas where there is a deficiency of such storage facilities.

Title XVII: Floral Research and Consumer Information - Floral Research and Consumer Information Act - Directs the Secretary to issue research and promotion orders for the plant trade. Prescribes administrative procedure for such orders.

Requires the Secretary to appoint a Floraboard composed of not more than 75 producers and importers nominated by certified organizations. Requires such Floraboards to develop plans and projects subject to the Secretary's approval. Provides for assessments on the sale of flowers and plants to defray administrative costs.

Specifies the terms an order may contain. Requires approval of an order by a referendum of producers. Requires the Secretary to suspend or terminate an order on his own initiative, or at the behest of a referendum under certain circumstances. Exempts certain producers and importers from coverage. Provides for assessment refunds and review of orders upon petition.

Vests the district courts of the United States with enforcement jurisdiction.

Sets forth criteria for the certification of producer and importer organizations. Enumerates investigative and legal powers of the Secretary with respect to Floraboard orders.

Authorizes necessary appropriations.

Title XVIII: Effective Date - Makes the provisions of this Act effective upon enactment, unless otherwise provided for.