APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR RURAL AREAS.

SEC. 6016. APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR RURAL AREAS. Section 310B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932) is amended by adding at the end the following:“(i) Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas Program.—122 STAT. 1169“(1) Definition of national nonprofit agricultural assistance institution.—In this subsection, the term ‘national nonprofit agricultural assistance institution’ means an organization that—“(A) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under 501(a) of that Code;“(B) has staff and offices in multiple regions of the United States;“(C) has experience and expertise in operating national agriculture technical assistance programs;“(D) expands markets for the agricultural commodities produced by producers through the use of practices that enhance the environment, natural resource base, and quality of life; and“(E) improves the economic viability of agricultural operations.“(2) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish a national appropriate technology transfer for rural areas program to assist agricultural producers that are seeking information to—“(A) reduce input costs;“(B) conserve energy resources;“(C) diversify operations through new energy crops and energy generation facilities; and“(D) expand markets for agricultural commodities produced by the producers by using practices that enhance the environment, natural resource base, and quality of life.“(3) Implementation.—“(A) In general.—The Secretary shall carry out the program under this subsection by making a grant to, or offering to enter into a cooperative agreement with, a national nonprofit agricultural assistance institution.“(B) Grant amount.—A grant made, or cooperative agreement entered into, under subparagraph (A) shall provide 100 percent of the cost of providing information described in paragraph (2).“(4) Authorization of appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.”.