Agricultural Productivity Act of 1985

(Measure passed House, amended)

Agricultural Productivity Act of 1985 - States that the purposes of this Act are to: (1) promote the investigation of agricultural production systems; and (2) facilitate research projects into production systems using synthetic fertilizers, additives, and pesticides, organic methods, and change-over methods.

Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) make an inventory of existing research and extension materials and recommend further areas of research regarding crop rotation, intercropping, biological pest control, and other related farming and soil conservation systems; (2) make such information available to the public; and (3) report to the appropriate congressional committees within 15 months.

Directs the Secretary to carry out at least 12 research projects and associated component studies to carry out the purposes of this Act. Authorizes related studies on crops, soils, and pest control on fields or parts of units under study, or on other lands.

Requires the Secretary to report on project design and selection to the appropriate congressional committees within 180 days.

Provides for the inclusion of small farms in such projects.

Includes within project goals information on: (1) the type, quantity, and cost of production inputs; (2) the quantity of crop and livestock production; (3) soil productivity characteristics; (4) the characteristics of other natural resources; and (5) income derived from a project unit.

Provides that each project involving cropping sequences shall be for at least five years with extensions as appropriate up to 15 years.

Authorizes the Secretary to indemnify operators for unusual damage or undue losses resulting from project participation.

Directs the Secretary to ensure that project designs include the expertise of representatives of the Agricultural Research Service, Cooperative State Research Service, Soil Conservation Service, Extension Service, State extension services and experiment stations, and other agricultural and technology specialists.

Requires the Secretary to file initial and final project reports with the appropriate congressional committees.

Authorizes the Secretary to carry out such research and information programs through any agency in the Department of Agriculture, or through agreements with universities, nonprofit organizations, or Federal or State entities with demonstrated expertise in the areas of agricultural research and technology transfer. Requires the Secretary to conduct the research projects through special grants administered by the Cooperative State Research Service and made to such universities, nonprofit organizations, or governmental entities.

Requires the Secretary, through the Extension Service and the State extension services, to make such research and project information available to the public.

Authorizes appropriations.