§ 5812. Program administration

• (a) The Secretary shall—
  • (1) administer the programs and projects conducted under sections 5811 and 5813 of this title through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, and other appropriate agencies;
  • (2) establish a minimum of four Regional Administrative Councils in accordance with subsection (b); and
  • (3) in conjunction with such Regional Administrative Councils, identify regional host institutions required to carry out such programs or projects.
• (b)
  • (1) The membership of the Regional Administrative Councils shall include representatives of—
    • (A) the Agricultural Research Service;
    • (B) the National Institute of Food and Agriculture;
    • (C) State cooperative extension services;
    • (D) State agricultural experiment stations;
    • (E) the Soil Conservation Service;
    • (F) State departments engaged in sustainable agriculture programs;
    • (G) nonprofit organizations with demonstrable expertise;
    • (H) farmers utilizing systems and practices of sustainable agriculture;
    • (I) agribusiness;
    • (J) the State or United States Geological Survey; and
    • (K) other persons knowledgeable about sustainable agriculture and its impact on the environment and rural communities.
  • (2) The Regional Administrative Councils shall—
    • (A) promote the programs established under this subchapter at the regional level;
    • (B) establish goals and criteria for the selection of projects authorized under this subchapter within the applicable region;
    • (C) appoint a technical committee to evaluate the proposals for projects to be considered under this subchapter by such council;
    • (D) review and act on the recommendations of the technical committee, and coordinate its activities with the regional host institution; and
    • (E) prepare and make available an annual report concerning projects funded under sections 5811 and 5813 of this title, together with an evaluation of the project activity.
  • (3) A member of the Regional Administrative Council or a technical committee may not participate in the discussion or recommendation of proposed projects if the member has or had a professional or business interest in, including the provision of consultancy services, the organization whose grant application is under review.