The purposes of federally supported agricultural research, extension, and education are to—

(1) enhance the competitiveness of the United States agriculture and food industry in an increasingly competitive world environment;

(2) increase the long-term productivity of the United States agriculture and food industry while maintaining and enhancing the natural resource base on which rural America and the United States agricultural economy depend;

(3) develop new uses and new products for agricultural commodities, such as alternative fuels, and develop new crops;

(4) support agricultural research and extension to promote economic opportunity in rural communities and to meet the increasing demand for information and technology transfer throughout the United States agriculture industry;

(5) improve risk management in the United States agriculture industry;

(6) improve the safe production and processing of, and adding of value to, United States food and fiber resources using methods that maintain the balance between yield and environmental soundness;

(7) support higher education in agriculture to give the next generation of Americans the knowledge, technology, and applications necessary to enhance the competitiveness of United States agriculture;

(8) maintain an adequate, nutritious, and safe supply of food to meet human nutritional needs and requirements; and

(9) support international collaboration that leverages resources and advances priority food and agricultural interests of the United States, such as—

(A) addressing emerging plant and animal diseases;

(B) improving crop varieties and animal breeds; and

(C) developing safe, efficient, and nutritious food systems.

Terms Used In 7 USC 3101

  • agricultural research: means research in the food and agricultural sciences. See 7 USC 3103
  • extension: means the informal education programs conducted in the States in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture. See 7 USC 3103