§ 3101. Purposes of agricultural research, extension, and education

The purposes of federally supported agricultural research, extension, and education are to—

• (1) enhance the competitiveness of the United States agriculture and food industry in an increasingly competitive world environment;
• (2) increase the long-term productivity of the United States agriculture and food industry while maintaining and enhancing the natural resource base on which rural America and the United States agricultural economy depend;
• (3) develop new uses and new products for agricultural commodities, such as alternative fuels, and develop new crops;
• (4) support agricultural research and extension to promote economic opportunity in rural communities and to meet the increasing demand for information and technology transfer throughout the United States agriculture industry;
• (5) improve risk management in the United States agriculture industry;
• (6) improve the safe production and processing of, and adding of value to, United States food and fiber resources using methods that maintain the balance between yield and environmental soundness;
• (7) support higher education in agriculture to give the next generation of Americans the knowledge, technology, and applications necessary to enhance the competitiveness of United States agriculture;
• (8) maintain an adequate, nutritious, and safe supply of food to meet human nutritional needs and requirements; and
• (9) support international collaboration that leverages resources and advances priority food and agricultural interests of the United States, such as—
  • (A) addressing emerging plant and animal diseases;
  • (B) improving crop varieties and animal breeds; and
  • (C) developing safe, efficient, and nutritious food systems.