ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO IMPROVE THEIR ACCESS TO CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.

SEC. 2704. ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO IMPROVE THEIR ACCESS TO CONSERVATION PROGRAMS. Section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) is amended by inserting after subsection (f), as added by section 2703(b), the following new subsection:“(g) Assistance to Certain Farmers or Ranchers for Conservation Access.—“(1) Assistance.—Of the funds made available for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012 to carry out the environmental quality incentives program and the acres made available for each of such fiscal years to carry out the conservation stewardship program, the Secretary shall use, to the maximum extent practicable—“(A) 5 percent to assist beginning farmers or ranchers; and“(B) 5 percent to assist socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.“(2) Repooling of funds.—In any fiscal year, amounts not obligated under paragraph (1) by a date determined by the Secretary shall be available for payments and technical assistance to all persons eligible for payments or technical assistance in that fiscal year under the environmental quality incentives program.“(3) Repooling of acres.—In any fiscal year, acres not obligated under paragraph (1) by a date determined by the Secretary shall be available for use in that fiscal year under the conservation stewardship program.”.122 STAT. 1074