DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Funds

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture, [$5,936,000]$5,883,000: Provided, That not to exceed $11,000 of this amount shall be available for official reception and representation expenses, not otherwise provided for, as determined by the Secretary.

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration, [$828,000]$820,000.

For necessary expenses of the Office of Tribal Relations, [$1,025,000]$1,015,000, to support communication and consultation activities with Federally Recognized Tribes, as well as other requirements established by law.

[For necessary expenses of the Office of] [Ecosystem Services Management, $2,021,000.]

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations to carry out the programs funded by this Act, including programs involving intergovernmental affairs and liaison within the executive branch, [$4,081,000]$4,041,000: Provided, That these funds may be transferred to agencies of the Department of Agriculture funded by this Act to maintain personnel at the agency level.

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics, [$920,000]$911,000.

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, [$920,000]$911,000.

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, [$836,000]$828,000.

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, [$920,000]$911,000.

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, [$920,000]$911,000.

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development, [$920,000]$911,000.

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, [$836,000]$828,000. Note.—A full-year 2011 appropriation for this account was not enacted at the time the budget was prepared; therefore, this account is operating under a continuing resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for 2011 reflect the annualized level provided by the continuing resolution.

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

The Office of the Secretary is responsible for the overall planning, coordination and administration of the Department's programs. This includes the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Under Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and their immediate staffs, who provide top policy guidance for the Department; maintain relationships with agricultural organizations and others in the development of farm programs; and provide liaison with the Executive Office of the President and Members of Congress on all matters pertaining to agricultural policy.

Funds are proposed for the Office of the Secretary's account for (1) negotiating and monitoring trade agreements; and (2) for technical trade support in the areas of biotechnology, sanitary and phyto-sanitary issues.

Object Classification (in millions of dollars)

Employment Summary

For necessary expenses of the Secretary to carry out demonstration projects to increase access to healthy foods through retail outlets in rural and urban areas, $35,000,000, to remain available until September 30, [2012]2013, which the Secretary may use for [financial and] the cost of grants (including for technical assistance), loans, and loan guarantees[; may transfer to the Intermediary Relending Program, for infrastructure and operations to enhance marketing of locally and regionally produced foods, for the costs of authorized direct loans] (as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974); and may use, not to exceed [$1,400,000]$2,000,000, for the Federal administrative costs of carrying out and evaluating such demonstration projects: Provided, [That in addition, to further enable the Secretary to carry out such demonstration projects, the Secretary may also reserve a total, in aggregate, of up to $15,000,000 of the funds made available in this or any other Act in the Rural Community Facilities Program account, in the Marketing Services account, in the Rural Business Program account, in the Rural Development Loan Fund Program account, for section 379E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1981 et seq.) and for section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005), and the Secretary may use such reserved amounts for technical or financial assistance; for the costs of authorized direct or guaranteed loans (as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974); and, not to exceed $600,000, for the Federal administrative costs of carrying out and evaluating such demonstration projects: Provided further, That the Secretary, under the prior proviso, may reserve not more than 10 percent of the funding available for a specific program activity in the accounts specified therein: Provided further,] That the Secretary, in carrying out such demonstration projects, may make or guarantee loans notwithstanding any applicable legal limitations regarding participant eligibility[, area served, size of loan, or size of loans made by borrowers] that the Secretary determines would interfere with the objectives of such demonstration projects: [Provided further, That the Secretary, to carry out such demonstration projects, may transfer the funds appropriated or reserved herein into an account to be used for the costs of direct loans under section 310B(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.1932(a)):] Provided further, That the Secretary, to carry out such demonstration projects, may use one or more consolidated solicitation and application processes: Provided further, That any funds provided for under this heading for such demonstration projects shall be in addition to any other funds that the Secretary may use for carrying out such projects.

Note.—A full-year 2011 appropriation for this account was not enacted at the time the budget was prepared; therefore, this account is operating under a continuing resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for 2011 reflect the annualized level provided by the continuing resolution.

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

The "Healthy Food Financing Initiative" is designed to support local and regional efforts to increase access to healthy food, particularly for the development of grocery stores and other healthy food retailers in urban and rural food deserts and other low-income/underserved areas. Through the initiative, funds will be made available from a number of loan, grant, promotion, and other programs to provide financial and technical assistance to support market planning and promotion efforts as well as infrastructure and operational improvements designed to stimulate consumer demand, enhance marketing, and increase availability of locally and regionally produced foods.

Trust Funds

Special and Trust Fund Receipts (in millions of dollars)

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

The Secretary is authorized to accept and administer gifts and bequests of real and personal property to facilitate the work of the Department. Property and the proceeds thereof are used in accordance with the terms of the gift or bequest (7 U.S.C. 2269).

Federal Funds

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

This fund finances, by advances or reimbursements, certain central services in the Department of Agriculture, including duplicating and other visual information services; broadcast media services; supply services; centralized financial management systems; centralized automated data processing systems for payroll, personnel, and related services; voucher payments services; telecommunications services; and information technology systems.

Object Classification (in millions of dollars)

Employment Summary

Federal Funds

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Economist, [$13,175,000] $15,196,000. Note.—A full-year 2011 appropriation for this account was not enacted at the time the budget was prepared; therefore, this account is operating under a continuing resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for 2011 reflect the annualized level provided by the continuing resolution.

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

The Office of the Chief Economist advises the Secretary of Agriculture on the economic implications of Department policies, programs and proposed legislation. The Office serves as a focal point for USDA's economic intelligence and analysis, risk assessment, and cost-benefit analysis related to domestic and international food and agriculture; development of technical guidelines for environmental services; provides policy direction for renewable energy development; conducts analyses of climate change impacts on agriculture and forestry; and is responsible for coordination and review of all commodity and aggregate agricultural and food-related data used to develop outlook and situation material within the Department.

Object Classification (in millions of dollars)

Employment Summary

Federal Funds

For necessary expenses of the National Appeals Division, [$15,424,000] $15,254,000. Note.—A full-year 2011 appropriation for this account was not enacted at the time the budget was prepared; therefore, this account is operating under a continuing resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for 2011 reflect the annualized level provided by the continuing resolution.

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

The National Appeals Division (NAD) is responsible for listening to farmers and other rural program participants concerning their disputes with certain agencies within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) through fair and impartial administrative hearings and appeals.

Object Classification (in millions of dollars)

Employment Summary

Federal Funds

For Departmental Administration, [$30,706,000] $35,787,000, to provide for necessary expenses for management support services to offices of the Department and for general administration[, security, repairs and alterations,] and other miscellaneous supplies and expenses not otherwise provided for and necessary for the practical and efficient work of the Department: Provided, That this appropriation shall be reimbursed from applicable appropriations in this Act for travel expenses incident to the holding of hearings as required by 5 U.S.C. 551–558: Provided further, That of the funds made available under this heading, $6,500,000 is for strengthening the Department's acquisition workforce capacity and capabilities: Provided further, That with respect to the previous proviso, such funds shall be available for training, recruitment, retention, and hiring members of the acquisition workforce as defined by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act, as amended (41 U.S.C. 401 et seq.): Provided further, That with respect to the second proviso, such funds shall be available for information technology in support of acquisition workforce effectiveness or for management solutions to improve acquisition management.

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Information Officer, [$63,719,000]$63,579,000.

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, [$6,632,000]$6,566,000: Provided, That no funds made available by this appropriation may be obligated for FAIR Act or Circular A-76 activities until the Secretary has submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives a report on the Department's contracting out policies, including agency budgets for contracting out.

For necessary expenses of the Office of Civil Rights, [$24,133,000] $24,922,000.

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, [$907,000]$895,000.

For necessary expenses of the Office of Budget and Program Analysis, [$9,547,000]$9,436,000.

For necessary expenses of the Office of Homeland Security, [$1,876,000] $4,272,000.

For necessary expenses of the Office of Advocacy and Outreach, [$7,009,000]$7,000,000. Note.—A full-year 2011 appropriation for this account was not enacted at the time the budget was prepared; therefore, this account is operating under a continuing resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for 2011 reflect the annualized level provided by the continuing resolution.

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

Summary of Budget Authority and Outlays (in millions of dollars)

Departmental Management is compromised of the following offices:

Departmental Administration is comprised of offices that provide staff support to policy officials and overall direction and coordination of the Department. These activities include Department-wide programs for human resources management, ethics, occupational safety and health management, real and personal property management, acquisitions and contracting, motor vehicle and aircraft management, supply management, participation of small and disadvantaged businesses, service-disabled veterans programs, emergency coordination and security services, and the regulatory hearing and administrative proceedings conducted by the Administrative Law Judges, and Judicial Officer. The 2012 request for Departmental Administration includes $6.5 million for training, recruitment, retention, and hiring members of the acquisition workforce pursuant to the President's March 4, 2009 Memorandum on Government Contracting.

The Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 required the establishment of a Chief Information Officer (CIO) for all major Federal agencies. The Act requires USDA to maximize the value of information technology acquisitions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of USDA programs. To meet the intent of the law and to provide a Departmental focus for information resources management issues, Secretary's Memorandum 1030–30, dated August 8, 1996, established the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). The CIO serves as the primary advisor to the Secretary on Information Technology (IT) issues. OCIO provides leadership for the Department's information and IT management activities in support of USDA program delivery.

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) was established in 1995 under authority provided in Reorganization Plan Number 2 of 1953 (7 U.S.C. 2201) to comply with the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990. The OCFO focuses on the Department's financial and performance management activities to improve program delivery and assure maximum contribution to the Secretary's Strategic Goals.

The Office of Civil Rights provides overall leadership responsibility for all Department-wide civil rights activities, including employment opportunity and program non-discrimination policy development, analysis, coordination, and compliance. The Office is responsible for providing leadership in the implementation of best practices that will create an environment where a diverse workforce is valued as a source of strength. The Office has the responsibility for monitoring program activities to ensure that all USDA programs are delivered in a non-discriminatory manner.

The Office of Budget and Program Analysis (OBPA) coordinates the preparation of Departmental budget estimates, regulations, and legislative reports; administers systems for the allotment and apportionment of funds; provides analysis of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program issues, draft regulations, and budget proposals; participates in strategic planning; and provides assistance to USDA policy makers in the development and execution of desired policies and programs.

The Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Coordination formulates emergency preparedness policies and objectives for USDA. The Staff directs and coordinates all of the Department's program activities that support USDA emergency programs and liaison functions with the Congress, the Department of Homeland Security, and other Federal Departments and agencies involving homeland security, natural disasters, other emergencies, and agriculture-related international civil emergency planning and intelligence activities.

The Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) improves access to USDA programs and enhances the viability and profitability of small farms and ranches, beginning farmers and ranchers, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers ensuring that the Department and its programs are open and transparent . The Department is committed to ensuring that all USDA constituents, including historically underserved groups, have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the programs offered by the Department.

Object Classification (in millions of dollars)

Employment Summary

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

For necessary expenses of the Department of Agriculture, to comply with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), [$5,139,000] $5,125,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That appropriations and funds available herein to the Department for Hazardous Materials Management may be transferred to any agency of the Department for its use in meeting all requirements pursuant to the above Acts on Federal and non-Federal lands. Note.—A full-year 2011 appropriation for this account was not enacted at the time the budget was prepared; therefore, this account is operating under a continuing resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for 2011 reflect the annualized level provided by the continuing resolution.

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Department has the responsibility to meet the same standards for environmental cleanup and regulatory compliance regarding hazardous wastes and hazardous substances as private businesses. With substantial commitments under these Acts, the Hazardous Materials Management account was established as a central fund so that the Department's agencies may be reimbursed for their cleanup efforts. The Department determines what projects to fund by using objective criteria that identify what sites pose the greatest threats to public health and the environment.

Object Classification (in millions of dollars)

Employment Summary

For payment of space rental and related costs pursuant to Public Law 92–313, including authorities pursuant to the 1984 delegation of authority from the Administrator of General Services to the Department of Agriculture under 40 U.S.C. 486, for programs and activities of the Department which are included in this Act, and for alterations and other actions needed for the Department and its agencies to consolidate unneeded space into configurations suitable for release to the Administrator of General Services, and for the operation, maintenance, improvement, and repair of Agriculture buildings and facilities, and for related costs, [$277,937,000] $255,191,000, to remain available until expended, of which [$178,470,000] $164,470,000 shall be available for payments to the General Services Administration for rent; of which $13,800,000 for payment to the Department of Homeland Security for building security activities; and of which [$85,667,000] $76,921,000 for buildings operations and maintenance expenses: Provided, That the Secretary may use unobligated balances from prior years to cover shortfalls incurred in prior year rental payments: Provided further, That the Secretary is authorized to transfer funds from a Departmental agency to this account to recover the full cost of the space and security expenses of that agency that are funded by this account when the actual costs exceed the agency estimate which will be available for the activities and payments described herein. Note.—A full-year 2011 appropriation for this account was not enacted at the time the budget was prepared; therefore, this account is operating under a continuing resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for 2011 reflect the annualized level provided by the continuing resolution.

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

This account finances the General Services Administration's fees for rental of space and the Department of Homeland Security's security-related fees. The appropriation covers all fees for all regular appropriated accounts within the Department of Agriculture with the exception of the Forest Service. This account also finances the day to day operations, repair, improvement and maintenance activities of two buildings in the Headquarters complex.

Deficiency in Rental Payments

This account has a deficiency due to prior year shortfalls in rental payments incurred between 2004 and 2008. In 2010, USDA reduced this deficiency by over half through applying $15,911,000 in appropriated funds and $21.5 million in unobligated balances. The Department anticipates reducing the deficiency to zero by the end of 2011. (Note: the $51 million deficiency listed in the 2011 President's Budget on line 91.90 reflected net negative balances which included other program figures besides rental payments. The figures above represent only the deficiency associated with rental payments.)

Object Classification (in millions of dollars)

Employment Summary

Federal Funds

For necessary expenses of the Office of Communications, [$9,839,000] $9,722,000. Note.—A full-year 2011 appropriation for this account was not enacted at the time the budget was prepared; therefore, this account is operating under a continuing resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for 2011 reflect the annualized level provided by the continuing resolution.

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

The mission of the Office of Communications (OC) is to provide leadership, expertise, management and coordination to develop and implement successful communication strategies and products that advance the mission of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and priorities of the Government, while serving and engaging the public in a fair, equal, transparent and easily accessible manner. OC delivers information about U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs and policies in a consistent, timely fashion.

Object Classification (in millions of dollars)

Employment Summary

Federal Funds

For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General, including employment pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978, [$90,300,000] $90,755,000, including such sums as may be necessary for contracting and other arrangements with public agencies and private persons pursuant to section 6(a)(9) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, and including not to exceed $125,000 for certain confidential operational expenses, including the payment of informants, to be expended under the direction of the Inspector General pursuant to Public Law 95–452 and section 1337 of Public Law 97–98. Note.—A full-year 2011 appropriation for this account was not enacted at the time the budget was prepared; therefore, this account is operating under a continuing resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for 2011 reflect the annualized level provided by the continuing resolution.

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) provides the Secretary and Congress with information or intelligence about fraud, other serious problems, mismanagement, and deficiencies in Department programs and operations, recommends corrective action, and reports on the progress made in correcting the problems. The Office reviews existing and proposed legislation and regulations and makes recommendations to the Secretary and Congress regarding the impact these laws have on the Department's programs and the prevention and detection of fraud and mismanagement in such programs. The Office provides policy direction and conducts, supervises, and coordinates all audits and investigations. The Office supervises and coordinates other activities in the Department and between the Department and other Federal, State and local government agencies whose purposes are to: (a) promote economy and efficiency; (b) prevent and detect fraud and mismanagement; and (c) identify and prosecute people involved in fraud or mismanagement.

Object Classification (in millions of dollars)

Employment Summary

Federal Funds

For necessary expenses of the Office of the General Counsel, [$45,654,000] $46,058,000. Note.—A full-year 2011 appropriation for this account was not enacted at the time the budget was prepared; therefore, this account is operating under a continuing resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for 2011 reflect the annualized level provided by the continuing resolution.

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

The Office of the General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture provides all legal advice, counsel, and services to the Secretary and to all agencies, offices, and corporations of the Department on all aspects of their operations. It represents the Department in administrative proceedings; nonlitigation debt collection proceedings; State water rights adjudications; proceedings before the Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Maritime Administration, International Trade Commission, and other Federal agencies; and, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, in judicial proceedings and litigation. All attorneys and related support personnel devoted to those efforts are under the supervision of the General Counsel.

Object Classification (in millions of dollars)

Employment Summary

Federal Funds

For necessary expenses of the Economic Research Service, [$87,171,000]$85,971,000. Note.—A full-year 2011 appropriation for this account was not enacted at the time the budget was prepared; therefore, this account is operating under a continuing resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for 2011 reflect the annualized level provided by the continuing resolution.

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

The Economic Research Service provides economic and other social science research and analysis for public and private decisions on agriculture, food, natural resources, and rural America. The 2012 Budget request, while funding most of ERS' core programs, includes total increases of $8.4 million, including increases of $2.4 million to develop a Center of Excellence for Behavioral Economics, $2 million to support community access to local foods, and $4 million to strengthen the Department's statistical protocols and tools. These increases are offset by reductions of $4.9 million in lower priority activities.

The Center of Excellence for Behavioral Economics will conduct both intramural and extramural behavioral economic research, which will inform food, farm, rural development, or natural resource policy decision making. Behavioral economics offers the capability to analyze ex ante policy impacts, before proposed policy solutions have been implemented. ERS will apply this new approach to policy questions for farm program participation, resource use, technology adoption, and risk management, in addition to on-going work on food assistance. USDA and its customers will benefit from this analysis to the extent that it informs how programs are designed for cost efficiencies and greatest effectiveness.

The $4 million for statistical protocol and tools includes $2 million to establish a structure among statistical agencies, managed through ERS, to improve data access, develop tools for data processing, and increase the utility and coordination of statistical protocols and tools for Federal data; and $2 million for an administrative data pilot project involving three statistical agencies that are jointly implementing OMB's statistical system-wide pilot test on uses, and barriers to appropriate use, of administrative data with statistical data. Administrative data, information already collected in conjunction with administering government programs, provide an opportunity for increasing the statistical ability to understand and address critical policy issues.

Miscellaneous funds received from States, local organizations, and others are available for support of economic research and analysis (7 U.S.C. 450b, 450h, 3318b).

Object Classification (in millions of dollars)

Employment Summary

Federal Funds

For necessary expenses of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, [$164,721,000]$165,421,000, of which up to [$33,494,000]$41,639,000 shall be available until expended for the Census of Agriculture. Note.—A full-year 2011 appropriation for this account was not enacted at the time the budget was prepared; therefore, this account is operating under a continuing resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for 2011 reflect the annualized level provided by the continuing resolution.

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

The 2012 request for the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is a net increase of $3.6 million from the 2011 Annualized Continuing Resolution. The request includes total increases of $11.9 million, of which a cyclical increase of $8.5 million would finalize preparations for the Census of Agriculture scheduled to be mailed to potential respondents in December 2012 and an additional $3.4 million would be used to improve the quality of county estimates. These increases are largely offset by reductions of $8.3 million in lower priority activities, such as the elimination of the Farm Estimates labor program and the tenure, ownership, and transition of land survey.

The Service provides the official National and State estimates of acreage, yield, and production of crops, stocks, value and expenditures associated with farm commodities, and inventory, values, and expenditures of livestock items. Data on approximately 120 crops and 45 livestock products are covered in over 500 reports issued each year. In addition, the Census of Agriculture is conducted every five years, which provides comprehensive data on the Nation's agricultural industry down to the county level. Incentives and promotional items are used by National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to support outreach efforts to maximize response rates on surveys and the Census of Agriculture.

Agricultural Estimates._The work under this activity is conducted through 46 field offices serving the 50 States and Puerto Rico; most of these offices are operated as joint State and Federal services. Cooperative arrangements with State agencies provide additional State and county data. NASS proposes an increase of $3.4 million for a critical county estimates program improvement initiative. NASS has carefully reviewed existing programs to determine where reductions could be taken. To support this critical initiative, the 2012 Budget proposes to eliminate lower priority surveys, such as the July Sheep and Goats Estimate, Livestock County Estimates, State Level Livestock Price Received, and Farm Labor Survey for a savings of $3.6 million.

Census of Agriculture._The Census of Agriculture is conducted every five years to take a snapshot of America's agriculture. This picture, when compared to earlier censuses, helps to measure trends and new developments in the agricultural sector of our Nation's economy. The Census is critical because it provides the only source of comparable and consistent detailed data about agriculture at the county level. In order to support Administration priorities, NASS carefully reviewed existing programs to determine where reductions could be taken. The 2012 Budget request includes an increase of $8.5 million reflecting the normal activity levels resulting from the cyclical nature of the 5-year Census of Agriculture program. Funding will be used to collect data to measure coverage of the census mail list, prepare census mail packages, and to prepare for data collection activities to occur in 2013.
Miscellaneous funds received from local organizations, commodity groups, and others are available for dissemination of reports and for survey work conducted under cooperative agreements (7 U.S.C. 450b, 450h, 3318b).

Object Classification (in millions of dollars)

Employment Summary

Federal Funds

For necessary expenses of the Agricultural Research Service and for acquisition of lands by donation, exchange, or purchase at a nominal cost not to exceed $100, and for land exchanges where the lands exchanged shall be of equal value or shall be equalized by a payment of money to the grantor which shall not exceed 25 percent of the total value of the land or interests transferred out of Federal ownership, [$1,199,669,000]$1,137,690,000: Provided, That appropriations hereunder shall be available for the operation and maintenance of aircraft and the purchase of not to exceed one for replacement only: Provided further, That appropriations hereunder shall be available pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2250 for the construction, alteration, and repair of buildings and improvements, but unless otherwise provided, the cost of constructing any one building shall not exceed $375,000, except for headhouses or greenhouses which shall each be limited to $1,200,000, and except for 10 buildings to be constructed or improved at a cost not to exceed $750,000 each, and the cost of altering any one building during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current replacement value of the building or $375,000, whichever is greater: Provided further, That the limitations on alterations contained in this Act shall not apply to modernization or replacement of existing facilities at Beltsville, Maryland: Provided further, That appropriations hereunder shall be available for granting easements at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center: Provided further, That the foregoing limitations shall not apply to replacement of buildings needed to carry out the Act of April 24, 1948 (21 U.S.C. 113a): Provided further, That funds may be received from any State, other political subdivision, organization, or individual for the purpose of establishing or operating any research facility or research project of the Agricultural Research Service, as authorized by law. Note.—A full-year 2011 appropriation for this account was not enacted at the time the budget was prepared; therefore, this account is operating under a continuing resolution (P.L. 111–242, as amended). The amounts included for 2011 reflect the annualized level provided by the continuing resolution.

Program and Financing (in millions of dollars)

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the principal in-house research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The ARS mission is to conduct research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority and to provide information access and dissemination to: ensure high-quality, safe food, and other agricultural products; assess the nutritional needs of Americans; sustain a competitive agricultural economy; enhance the natural resource base and the environment; and provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole. The ARS' mission is carried out through its major research program areas and other activities listed below (in italics).

ARS major research programs—New Products/Product Quality/Value Added; Livestock/Crop Production; Food Safety; Livestock/Crop Protection; Human Nutrition; and Environmental Stewardship—address the Department's priorities.

ARS' 2012 Salaries and Expenses Budget proposes high priority increases of $55.7 million for new and expanded research initiatives in food safety; crop/animal breeding and protection; child and human nutrition; bioenergy/biomass; plant, animal, and microbial collections; production systems for sustainable agriculture; global climate change; and the National Agricultural Library. In addition, the agency is requesting an increase of $3 million for the repair and maintenance of its laboratories/facilities.

Offsetting ARS' requested increases are $100.7 million in proposed decreases for lower priority projects. The proposed reductions—$41.9 million in Congressional earmarks, $38.7 million in project terminations, and $20.1 million in extramural research terminations—will provide the necessary funding for the critical research priorities proposed by the agency for 2012.

New Products/Product Quality/Value Added._ARS has active research programs directed toward (1) improving the efficiency and reducing the cost for the conversion of agricultural products into biobased products and biofuels, (2) developing new and improved products to help establish them in domestic and foreign markets, and (3) providing higher quality, healthy foods that satisfy consumer needs in the United States and abroad. The 2012 Budget proposes an additional $6 million for the establishment of five regional biofuel feedstocks research and demonstration centers.

Environmental Stewardship—Water Quality; Air/Soil Quality; Global Climate Change; Range/Grazing Lands; Agricultural Systems Integration.—ARS research programs in environmental stewardship support scientists at more than 70 locations. Emphasis is given to developing technologies and systems that support profitable production and enhance the Nation's vast renewable natural resource base. ARS is currently developing the scientific knowledge and technologies needed to meet the challenges and opportunities facing U.S. agriculture in managing water resource quality and quantity under different climatic regimes, production systems, and environmental conditions. ARS air resources research is developing measurement, prediction, and control technologies for emissions of greenhouse gases, particulate matter, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and volatile organic compounds affecting air quality and land surface climate interactions. The agency is a leader in developing measurement and modeling techniques for characterizing gaseous and particulate matter emissions from agriculture. In addition, ARS is evaluating strategies for enhancing the health and productivity of soils, including developing predictive tools to assess the sustainability of alternative land management practices. Finding mechanisms to aid agriculture in adapting to changes in atmospheric composition and climatic variations is also an important component of ARS research program. ARS range and grazing land research includes the conservation and restoration of the Nation's range land and pasture ecosystems and agroecosystems through improved management of fire, invasive weeds, grazing, global change, and other agents of ecological change. The agency is currently developing improved grass and forage legume germplasm for livestock, conservation, bioenergy, and bioproduct systems as well as grazing-based livestock systems that reduce risk and increase profitability. In addition, ARS is developing whole system management strategies to reduce production costs and risks. The 2012 Budget proposal includes increases that total $8.5 million to help adapt American agriculture to a changing global climate, and for the development of production systems to support sustainable agriculture.

Livestock Production._ARS' livestock production program is directed toward: (1) safeguarding and utilizing animal genetic resources, associated genetic and genomic databases, and bioinformatic tools; (2) developing a basic understanding of the physiology of livestock and poultry; and (3) developing information, tools, and technologies that can be used to improve animal production systems. The research is heavily focused on the development and application of genomics technologies to increase the efficiency and product quality of beef, dairy, swine, poultry, aquaculture, and sheep systems. Current areas of emphasis include increasing efficiency of nutrient utilization, increasing animal well-being and reducing stress in production systems, increasing reproductive rates and breeding animal longevity, developing and evaluating non-traditional production systems (e.g., organic, natural), and evaluating and conserving animal genetic resources. The 2012 Budget includes proposed increases that total $4.5 million for improvements to production to optimize genetic potential to protect the environment, including enhancements to animal and microbial collections.

Crop Production._ARS' crop production program focuses on developing and improving ways to reduce crop losses while protecting and ensuring a safe and affordable food supply. The research program concentrates on effective production strategies that are environmentally friendly, safe to consumers, and compatible with sustainable and profitable crop production systems. Research activities are directed at safeguarding and utilizing plant genetic resources and their associated genetic, genomic, and bioinformatic databases that facilitate selection of varieties and/or germplasm with significantly improved traits. Current research activities attempt to minimize the impacts of crop pests while maintaining healthy crops and safe commodities that can be sold in markets throughout the world. ARS is conducting research to discover and exploit naturally occurring and engineered genetic mechanisms for plant pest control, develop agronomic germplasm with durable defensive traits, and transfer genetic resources for commercial use. ARS provides taxonomic information on invasive species that strengthens prevention techniques, aids in detection/identification of invasive pests, and increases control through management tactics that restore habitats and biological diversity. The 2012 Budget proposal includes increases that total $7.8 million to improve crop breeding, and to enhance the capacity to conserve a broad diversity of plant germplasm system resources through research on plant and microbial collections.

Livestock Protection._ARS animal health program is directed at protecting and ensuring the safety of the Nation's agriculture and food supply through improved disease detection, prevention, control, and treatment. Basic and applied research approaches are used to solve animal health problems of high national priority. Emphasis is given to methods and procedures to control animal diseases. The research program has ten strategic objectives: (1) establish ARS laboratories into a fluid, highly effective research network to maximize use of core competencies and resources; (2) access specialized high containment facilities to study zoonotic and emerging diseases; (3) develop an integrated animal and microbial genomics research program; (4) establish centers of excellence in animal immunology; (5) launch a biotherapeutic discovery program providing alternatives to animal drugs; (6) build a technology driven vaccine and diagnostic discovery research program; (7) develop core competencies in field epidemiology and predictive biology; (8) develop internationally recognized expert collaborative research laboratories; (9) establish a best-in-class training center for our Nation's veterinarians and scientists; and (10) develop a model technology transfer program to achieve the full impact of ARS research discoveries. ARS current animal research program includes eight core components: (1) biodefense research, (2) animal genomics and immunology, (3) zoonotic diseases, (4) respiratory disease, (5) reproductive and neonatal diseases, (6) enteric diseases, (7) parasitic diseases, and (8) transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The 2012 Budget includes proposed increases that total $4.1 million for research on host/pathogen interactions, on countering biological threats and living animal and microbial germplasm collections.

Crop Protection._ARS research on crop protection is directed toward epidemiological investigations to understand pest and disease transmission mechanisms, and to identify and apply new technologies that increase understanding of virulence factors and host defense mechanisms. Currently, ARS research priorities include: (1) identification of genes that convey virulence traits in pathogens and pests; (2) factors that modulate infectivity, gene functions, and mechanisms; (3) genetic profiles that provide specified levels of disease and insect resistance under field conditions; and (4) mechanisms that facilitate the spread of pests and infectious diseases. ARS is developing new knowledge and integrated pest management approaches to control pest and disease outbreaks as they occur. Its research will improve the knowledge and understanding of the ecology, physiology, epidemiology, and molecular biology of emerging diseases and pests. This knowledge will be incorporated into pest risk assessments and management strategies to minimize chemical inputs and increase production. Strategies and approaches will be available to producers to control emerging crop diseases and pest outbreaks. The 2012 Budget proposal includes increases that total $5.2 million to discover and deploy new resistant genes to pests and pathogens, strengthen grain research to protect the world grain supply, and enhance existing plant and microbial collections including insect germplasm and insect systematics capacity.

Food Safety._Assuring that the United States has the highest levels of affordable, safe food requires that the food system be protected at each stage from production through processing and consumption from pathogens, toxins, and chemical contaminants that cause diseases in humans. The U.S. food supply is very diverse, extensive, easily accessible, and thus vulnerable to the introduction of biological and chemical contaminants through natural processes, intentional means, or by global commerce. ARS' current food safety research is designed to yield science-based knowledge on the safe production, storage, processing, and handling of plant and animal products, and on the detection and control of toxin producing and/or pathogenic bacteria and fungi, parasites, chemical contaminants, and plant toxins. All of ARS' research activities involve a high degree of cooperation and collaboration with USDA's Research, Education, and Economics agencies, as well as with FSIS, APHIS, FDA, CDC, DHS, and the EPA. ARS also collaborates in international research programs to address and resolve global food safety issues. Specific research efforts are directed toward developing new technologies that assist ARS stakeholders and customers, that is, regulatory agencies, industry, and commodity and consumer organizations, in detecting, identifying, and controlling foodborne diseases that affect human health. The 2012 Budget proposal includes increases of $10.7 million for research on emerging chemical threat agents, improvements to the detection of pathogens, toxins and chemical contaminants, alternatives to antibiotics in food animals, and the evaluation of current policies for antibiotic use, and the pathogesis, risk factors and interventions in produce.

Human Nutrition._Maintenance of health throughout the lifespan along with prevention of obesity and chronic diseases via food-based recommendations are the major emphases of ARS human nutrition research program. These health-related goals are based on the knowledge that deficiency diseases are no longer important public health concerns. Excessive consumption has become the primary nutrition problem in the American population. This is reflected by increased emphasis on prevention of obesity from basic science through intervention studies to assessments of large populations. ARS' research program also actively studies bioactive components of foods that have no known requirement but have health promoting activities. Four specific areas of research are currently emphasized: (1) nutrition monitoring and the food supply, e.g., a national diet survey and the food composition databank; (2) dietary guidance f'or health promotion and disease prevention, i.e., specific foods, nutrients, and dietary patterns that maintain health and prevent disease; (3) prevention of obesity and related diseases, including research as to why so few of the population follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans; and (4) life stage nutrition and metabolism, in order to better define the role of nutrition in pregnancy and growth of children, and for healthier aging. The 2012 Budget proposes increases of $7.5 million to evaulate factors affecting adherence to the "Dietary Guidelines for Amercians," determine the nutrient requirments for children, personalize prevention through diet, behavior and genomics, establish health promoting properties of specialty crops and whole grains, and strengthen the nutrition.gov web site.

Library and Information Services (NAL)._The National Agricultural Library (NAL) is the largest and most accessible agricultural research library in the world. It provides services directly to the staff of USDA and to the public, primarily via the NAL web site, http://www.nal.usda.gov. NAL was created with the USDA in 1862 and was named in 1962 a national library by Congress, as the primary agricultural information resource of the United States. NAL is the premier library for collecting, managing, and disseminating agricultural knowledge. The Library is the repository of our Nation's agricultural heritage, the provider of world class information, and the wellspring for generating new fundamental knowledge and advancing scientific discovery. It is a priceless national resource that, through its services, programs, information products, and web-based tools and technologies, serves anyone who needs agricultural information. The Library's vision is "advancing access to global information for agriculture." The 2012 Budget includes a proposed increase of $1.5 million to provide access to sustainability and environmental data sets for the scientific community.

Repair and Maintenance of Facilities._Funds are used to restore, upgrade, and maintain ARS' facilities to meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration and EPA requirements, provide suitable workspace for in-house research programs, and to retrofit existing structures for better energy utilization. The 2012 Budget proposal includes an additional $3 million to address and reduce the backlog of needed facilites' repair and maintenance.

Collaborative Research Program._Funds from the Department of State enable USDA/ARS to support collaborative research projects with scientists from the former Soviet Union and South/Southeast Asia. Through scientific cooperation in agricultural research, the USDA/ARS program supports the State Department's nonproliferation mission while advancing agricultural science by establishing new expertise in these regions, enhancing the effectiveness and productivity of ARS research programs, and helping improve the economy of these regions through advances in agricultural technology.

Reimbursements._ARS performs research activities and services for other USDA, Federal, and non-Federal agencies. These activities and services are paid for on a reimbursable basis.

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Under its Buildings and Facilities account, ARS funds the acquisition of land, construction, repair, improvement, extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities of or used by ARS. No new funding is requested in 2012. In addition, the budget proposes to cancel $223.7 million in balances from projects that were not requested in prior budget requests, including projects that have only been partially-funded, and projects that have leftover funding after completion.

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