Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 116 Part 1.djvu/486

 116 STAT. 460 PUBLIC LAW 107-171—MAY 13, 2002 (1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall establish beginning farmer and rancher education teams to develop curricula and conduct educational programs and workshops for beginning farmers or ranchers in diverse geographical areas of the United States. (2) CURRICULUM. —In promoting the development of curricula, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, include modules tailored to specific audiences of beginning farmers or ranchers, based on crop or regional diversity. (3) COMPOSITION.—In establishing an education team for a specific program or workshop, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable— (A) obtain the short-term services of specialists with knowledge and expertise in programs serving beginning farmers or ranchers; and (B) use officers and employees of the Department with direct experience in programs of the Department that may be taught as part of the curriculum for the program or workshop. (4) COOPERATION.— (A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall cooperate, to the maximum extent practicable, with— (i) State cooperative extension services; (ii) Federal and State agencies; (iii) community-based and nongovernmental organizations; (iv) colleges and universities (including an institution awarding an associate's degree) or foundations maintained by a college or university; and (v) other appropriate partners, as determined by the Secretary. (B) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT.— Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement to reflect the terms of any cooperation under subparagraph (A). (e) CURRICULUM AND TRAINING CLEARINGHOUSE.—The Secretary shall establish an online clearinghouse that makes available to beginning farmers or ranchers education curricula and training materials and programs, which may include online courses for direct use by beginning farmers or ranchers. (f) STAKEHOLDER INPUT. — In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall seek stakeholder input from— (1) beginning farmers and ranchers; (2) national. State, tribal, and local organizations and other persons with expertise in operating beginning farmer and rancher programs; and (3) the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers established under section 5 of the Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (7 U.S.C. 1929 note; Public Law 102-554). (g) PARTICIPATION BY OTHER FARMERS AND RANCHERS.— Nothing in this section prohibits the Secretary from allowing farmers and ranchers who are not beginning farmers or ranchers from participating in programs authorized under this section to the extent that the Secretary determines that such participation

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