PUBLIC LAW 107-171—MAY 13, 2002 116 STAT. 521 related services to socially disadvantaged fanners and ranchers in a region. "(F) An Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)) or a national tribal organization that has demonstrated experience in providing agriculture education or other agriculturally related services to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in a region. "(G) An organization or institution that received funding under subsection (a) before January 1, 1996, but only with respect to projects that the Secretary considers are similar to projects previously carried out by the organization or institution under such subsection. "(6) SECRETARY.— The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Agriculture.". (b) OUTREACH AND ASSISTANCE. —Section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279) is amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following: " (a) OUTREACH AND ASSISTANCE.— "(1) PROGRAM.—The Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out an outreach and technical assistance program to encourage and assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers— "(A) in owning and operating farms and ranches; and "(B) in participating equitably in the full range of agricultural programs offered by the Department. "(2) REQUIREMENTS.— The outreach and technical assistance program under paragraph (1) shall— "(A) enhance coordination of the outreach, technical assistance, and education efforts authorized under various agriculture programs; and "(B) include information on, and assistance with— "(i) commodity, conservation, credit, rural, and business development programs; "(ii) application and bidding procedures; "(iii) farm and risk management; "(iv) marketing; and "(v) other activities essential to participation in agricultural and other programs of the Department. " (3) GRANTS AND CONTRACTS. — "(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make grants to, and enter into contracts and other agreements with, an eligible entity to provide information and technical assistance under this subsection. "(B) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAW. — The authority to carry out this section shall be in addition to any other authority provided in this or any other Act. " (C) OTHER PROJECTS.— Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary may make grants to, and enter into contracts and other agreements with, an organization or institution that received funding under this section before January 1, 1996, to carry out a project that is similar to a project for which the organization or institution received such funding. " (4) FUNDING. — "(A) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—T here is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2007.
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