(a) Coordination of nationwide rural development program using services of executive branch departments and agencies and State and local governmentsThe Secretary of Agriculture shall provide leadership within the executive branch for, and shall assume responsibility for coordinating, a nationwide rural development program using the services of executive branch departments and agencies, including, but not limited to, the agencies, bureaus, offices, and services of the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with rural development programs of State and local governments.
(b) Policy development; systematic review of Federal programs; access to information; development of process to receive and assess needs, goals, etc.; cooperative agreements to improve Federal programs affecting rural areas; public hearings and comments(1) The Secretary shall conduct a systematic review of Federal programs affecting rural areas to (A) determine whether such areas are benefiting from such programs in an equitable proportion to the benefits received by urban areas and (B) identify any factors that may restrict accessibility to such programs in rural areas or limit participation in such programs.
(2) Subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 [5 U.S.C. 552a], the Secretary may secure directly from any Federal department or agency information necessary to carry out the Secretary’s duties under this section. Upon request of the Secretary under this paragraph, the head of any such Federal department or agency shall furnish such information to the Secretary.
(3) The Secretary shall develop a process through which multistate, State, substate, and local rural development needs, goals, objectives, plans, and recommendations can be received and assessed on a continuing basis. Such process may include the use of those rural development experts, advisors, and consultants that the Secretary deems appropriate, as well as the establishment of temporary advisory committees under the terms of chapter 10 of title 5.
(4) Cooperative agreements.—(A) In general.—Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, the Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, and any other organization or individual to improve the coordination and effectiveness of Federal programs, services, and actions affecting rural areas, including the establishment and financing of interagency groups, if the Secretary determines that the objectives of the agreement will serve the mutual interest of the parties in rural development activities.
(B) Cooperators.—Each cooperator, including each Federal agency, to the extent that funds are otherwise available, may participate in any cooperative agreement or working group established pursuant to this paragraph by contributing funds or other resources to the Secretary to carry out the agreement or functions of the group.
(5) The Secretary may hold public hearings and receive comments on any matter that the Secretary determines may have a significant impact on rural development or the economic development of rural communities.
(c) Rural development strategy and annual updates; preparation and scope; purposes; time for updates; public hearings and suggestions and recommendations; transmittal to Congressional committees; analysis of budgetary considerations and factors; evaluation and recommendations regarding implementation and revisions(1) The Secretary shall prepare a comprehensive rural development strategy based on the needs, goals, objectives, plans, and recommendations of local communities, substate areas, States, and multistate regions, which is designed to—(A) maximize the effectiveness, increase the responsiveness, and improve the delivery of Federal programs to rural areas;
(B) increase the coordination of Federal programs with the development needs, objectives, and resources of local communities, substate areas, States, and multistate regions; and
(C) achieve the most effective combinations of Federal, State, and local resources to meet the needs of rural areas for orderly growth and development.
(2) The rural development strategy shall take into account the need to—(A) improve the economic well-being of all rural residents and alleviate the problems of low income, elderly, minority, and otherwise disadvantaged rural residents;
(B) improve the business and employment opportunities, occupational training and employment services, health care services, educational opportunities, energy utilization and availability, housing, transportation, community services, community facilities, water supplies, sewage and solid waste management systems, credit availability, and accessibility to and delivery of private and public financial resources in the maintenance and creation of jobs in rural areas;
(C) improve State and local government management capabilities, institutions, and programs related to rural development and expand educational and training opportunities for State and local officials, particularly in small rural communities;
(D) strengthen the family farm system; and
(E) maintain and protect the environment and natural resources of rural areas.
(3) The rural development strategy developed under this subsection shall be for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1982, and updated for each fiscal year thereafter.
(4) The Secretary shall hold public hearings and receive such suggestions and recommendations as the Secretary deems appropriate during the preparation of the rural development strategy and the annual updates to the strategy.
(5) The rural development strategy and the annual updates to the strategy shall be transmitted to the House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry by January 31 of the calendar year immediately preceding the beginning of the appropriate fiscal year.
(6) The rural development strategy and each annual update of the strategy shall contain an analysis of the budget recommendations of the President for the fiscal year following the transmittal of the strategy or update of the strategy and of all the available budget projections of the President for subsequent fiscal years, and projections regarding the budget that are relevant or essential to the rural development policy and the rural development strategy developed under this subsection. Each annual update shall also contain a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Secretary regarding the implementation during the preceding fiscal year of the rural development strategy, including any revisions of the strategy, any recommended legislation to improve the rural development effort of the Federal Government, and an evaluation of and recommendations regarding the rural development information system required under section 1926(a)(12) of this title.
(d) Strategy implementation; goalsThe Secretary shall ensure the effective implementation of the rural development strategy and maximize coordination of Federal programs affecting rural areas through a systematic effort to—(1) improve communication and encourage cooperation among Federal departments and agencies in the administration of rural development programs;
(2) eliminate conflicts, duplication, and gaps in program coverage, and resolve contradictions and inconsistencies in the objectives, administration, and effects of rural development programs;
(3) facilitate the sharing or common location of field offices of Federal agencies administering similar or complementary programs and unification of delivery systems, where feasible, to maximize convenience and accessibility of such agencies and programs to rural residents;
(4) facilitate and expedite joint funding of rural projects through Federal programs;
(5) correct administrative problems in Federal programs that delay or hinder the effective delivery of services, assistance, or benefits to rural areas; and
(6) simplify, standardize, and reduce the complexity of applications, reports, and other forms required under Federal rural development programs.
Structure US Code
CHAPTER 55— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
§ 2201. Establishment of Department
§ 2202. Executive Department; Secretary
§ 2204. General duties of Secretary; advisory functions; research and development
§ 2204–1. Delegation of regulatory functions of Secretary of Agriculture; definitions
§ 2204–3. Authority of designated employees; retroactive revocation of delegation
§ 2204–4. Delegation of functions under other laws as unaffected
§ 2204–5. Authorization of appropriations for cooperative research projects
§ 2204b. Rural development policy
§ 2204b–2. Temporary prioritization of rural health assistance
§ 2204b–3. Council on Rural Community Innovation and Economic Development
§ 2204b–4. Institute for Rural Partnerships
§ 2204c. Water management for rural areas
§ 2204d. Encouragement of private contracting
§ 2204e. Office of Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis
§ 2204g. Authority of Secretary of Agriculture to conduct census of agriculture
§ 2204h. Local food production and program evaluation
§ 2204i. Reports on land access and farmland ownership data collection
§ 2204j. National agriculture imagery program
§ 2205. Duties of former Commissioner of Agriculture transferred to Secretary
§ 2206. Custody of property and records
§ 2206a. Conveyance of excess Federal personal property
§ 2206b. Availability of excess and surplus computers in rural areas
§ 2207a. Reports to Congress on obligation and expenditure
§ 2208. Expenditure of appropriations; accounting
§ 2208a. Loan levels provided to Department of Agriculture
§ 2209. Additional statement of expenditures
§ 2209a. Advances to chiefs of field parties
§ 2209b. Availability of appropriations
§ 2209c. Use of funds for one-year contracts to be performed in two fiscal years
§ 2209d. Statement of percentage and dollar amount of Federal funding
§ 2209e. Prohibition on payments to parties involved with prohibited drug-producing plants
§ 2209f. Restriction on commodity purchase program payments
§ 2209g. Availability of funds for uniforms or allowances
§ 2209h. Reimbursement of Office of the General Counsel
§ 2209i. Funding for preparation of final agency decisions regarding discrimination complaints
§ 2209j. Permanent debarment from participation in Department of Agriculture programs for fraud
§ 2209k. Prohibition on payments to fossil fuel refiners and importers
§ 2210. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture; appointment
§ 2211. Powers and duties of Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
§§ 2211b to 2212c. Repealed. , §§ 218(e)(2)–(6), 231(f)(1), , , 3219
§ 2214. General Counsel; appointment
§ 2217a. Power to administer oaths, examine witnesses, or require production of books, etc.
§ 2218. Fee for administering or taking oaths, affirmations, and affidavits
§ 2219a. Overtime and holiday pay
§ 2221. Details of persons from or to office of Secretary
§ 2223. Details of employees from and to library and bureaus and offices
§ 2225. Employment of temporary personnel
§ 2225a. Contracts for consulting services
§ 2225b. Personal service contracts for veterinarians
§ 2225c. Employment contracts for services abroad
§ 2225d. Availability of Department of Agriculture funds for temporary employment
§ 2226. Employment of persons for forest fire fighting, pest control, and handling of animals
§ 2228. Emergency subsistence for employees
§ 2229. Travel and per diem expenses of temporary or seasonal employees
§ 2230. Employees in Alaska; subsistence, equipment, and supplies
§ 2231. Official expenses of employees stationed abroad
§ 2231a. Reimbursement of employees for costs of State licenses and certification fees
§ 2231b. First amendment rights of employees of the United States Department of Agriculture
§ 2232. Stenographic reporting service
§ 2233. Funds available for expenses of advisory committees
§ 2234. Purchases for bureaus from appropriations for contingent expenses
§ 2235a. Deposit and retention of credit card refunds or rebates
§ 2236. Working capital fund for Agricultural Research Center; establishment
§ 2237. Use of field work funds for employment of men with equipment, etc.
§ 2238. Use of field work funds for purchase of arms and ammunition
§ 2239. Funds for printing, binding, and scientific and technical article reprint purchases
§ 2241. Sale or exchange of animals or animal products
§ 2241a. Exchange or sale authority
§ 2241b. Purchase of seeds and plants for distribution
§ 2242a. User fees for reports, publications, and software
§ 2242b. Translation of publications into foreign languages
§ 2243. Sale of photographic prints and maps
§ 2245. Sale of prints and lantern slides
§ 2246. Loan, rental, or sale of films
§ 2247. Sale of samples of pure sugars
§ 2247a. Farm or food products; sale of samples, practical forms, etc.
§ 2248. Statistics relating to turpentine and rosin
§ 2249. Amount and character of cooperation
§ 2250. Construction and repair of buildings and public improvements
§ 2250b. Nonrecurring expenses fund
§ 2253. Adjustment by Secretary of titles to lands acquired by Government and subject to his control
§ 2255. Membership in International Wheat Advisory Committee, International Sugar Council, etc.
§ 2255a. Financial assistance to national and international conferences
§ 2255b. Department of Agriculture conference transparency
§ 2257. Interchangeability of funds for miscellaneous expenses and general expenses
§ 2258. Purchase of newspapers
§ 2259. Market-inspection certificates as prima facie evidence
§§ 2260, 2260a. Repealed. , (4), ,
§ 2262. Employee liability insurance on motor vehicles in foreign countries
§ 2264. National Agricultural Library; acceptance of gifts, bequests, or devises; conditional gifts
§ 2265. Deposit of money accepted for benefit of National Agricultural Library; disbursement
§ 2266. Congressional reaffirmation of policy to foster and encourage family farms
§ 2266a. Century Farms program
§ 2266b. Eligibility for operators on heirs property land to obtain a farm number
§ 2268. Public lands; relinquishment
§ 2268a. Acquisition of land; options
§ 2270. Authority of Office of Inspector General
§ 2270a. Office of Inspector General; transfer of forfeiture funds for law enforcement activities
§ 2270c. Submission of results
§ 2271. Marketing education programs for small and medium size family farm operations
§ 2271a. Advanced marketing training for farmers and ranchers
§ 2272. Volunteers for Department of Agriculture programs
§ 2272a. Funds for incidental expenses and promotional items relating to volunteers
§ 2273. Local search and rescue operations
§ 2274. Firearm authority of employees engaged in animal quarantine enforcement
§ 2274a. Firearm authority of employees conducting field work in remote locations
§ 2276. Confidentiality of information
§ 2277. Contracts by Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for services to be performed abroad
§ 2278. Consistency with international obligations of United States
§ 2279. Farming opportunities training and outreach
§ 2279–1. Transparency and accountability for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers
§ 2279–2. Report of civil rights complaints, resolutions, and actions
§ 2279a. Fair and equitable treatment of socially disadvantaged producers
§ 2279b. Department of Agriculture educational, training, and professional development activities
§ 2279c. Student internship programs
§ 2279d. Compensatory damages in claims under Rehabilitation Act of 1973
§ 2279g. Marketing services; cooperative agreements
§ 2279h. Cross-servicing activities of National Finance Center
§ 2279i. Cooperation with State and other agencies; expenditures
§ 2279k. Authorization of protection operations for the Secretary of Agriculture and others