§ 3319d. Supplemental and alternative crops

• (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during the period beginning October 1, 1986 , and ending September 30, 2023 , the Secretary shall develop and implement a research project program for the development of supplemental and alternative crops (including canola), using such funds as are appropriated to the Secretary each fiscal year under this chapter.
• (b) The development of supplemental and alternative crops for agronomic rotational purposes and as a habitat for honey bees and other pollinators is of critical importance to producers of agricultural commodities.
• (c)
  • (1) The Secretary shall make competitive grants to further the purposes of this section in the implementation of a comprehensive and integrated program.
  • (2) The program developed and implemented by the Secretary shall include—
    • (A) an examination of the adaptation of supplemental and alternative crops;
    • (B) the establishment and extension of various methods of planting, cultivating, harvesting, and processing supplemental and alternative crops;
    • (C) the transfer of such applied research to on-farm practice as soon as practicable;
    • (D) the establishment through grants, cooperative agreements, or other means of such processing, storage, and transportation facilities for supplemental and alternative crops as the Secretary determines will facilitate the achievement of a successful program; and
    • (E) the application of such other resources and expertise as the Secretary considers appropriate to support the program.
  • (3) The program may include, but shall not be limited to, agreements, grants, and other arrangements—
    • (A) to conduct comprehensive resource and infrastructure assessments;
    • (B) to develop and introduce supplemental and alternative income-producing crops;
    • (C) to develop and expand domestic and export markets for such crops;
    • (D) to provide technical assistance to farm owners and operators, marketing cooperatives, and others;
    • (E) to conduct fundamental and applied research related to the development of new commercial products derived from natural plant material (including hemp (as defined in section 1639 o of this title)) for industrial, medical, and agricultural applications; and
    • (F) to participate with colleges and universities, other Federal agencies, and private sector entities in conducting research described in subparagraph (E).
• (d) The Secretary shall use the expertise and resources of the Agricultural Research Service, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the land-grant colleges and universities for the purpose of carrying out this section.
• (e) There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—
  • (1) such sums as are necessary for fiscal year 2013;
  • (2) $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018; and
  • (3) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.