The Secretary shall establish a Federal-State matching grant program to make grants to States to assist in the creation or enhancement of State sustainable agriculture research, extension, and education programs, in furtherance of this subchapter.

States eligible to receive a grant under this section may conduct a variety of activities designed to carry out the purpose of this subchapter, including—

(1) activities that encourage the incorporation and integration of sustainable agriculture concerns in all State research, extension, and education projects;

(2) educational programs for farmers, educators, and the public;

(3) the development and funding of innovative research, extension, and education programs regarding sustainable agriculture;

(4) the conduct of research and demonstration projects;

(5) the provision of technical assistance to farmers and ranchers;

(6) activities that encourage farmer-to-farmer information exchanges;

(7) the incorporation of sustainable agriculture studies in undergraduate and graduate degree programs; and

(8) such other activities that are appropriate to the agricultural concerns of the State that are consistent with the purpose of this part.

States that elect to apply for a grant under this section shall prepare and submit, to the appropriate Regional Administrative Council established under section 5812 of this title, a State plan and schedule for approval by such council and the Secretary.

(1) Required States that elect to apply for a grant under this section shall prepare and submit, to the appropriate Regional Administrative Council established under section 5812 of this title, a State plan and schedule for approval by such council and the Secretary.

(2) Elements of plan State plans prepared under paragraph (1) shall provide details of the proposed program to be implemented using funds provided under this section for fiscal years 1991 through 1995, or any 5-year period thereafter, and shall identify the sources of matching State funds for the same fiscal year.

(3) Participation of farmers To be eligible for approval, State plans submitted under this subsection shall demonstrate that there will be extensive and direct participation of farmers in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program.

Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide grants to eligible States in an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the cost of the establishment or enhancement of a State sustainable agriculture program under a plan approved by the Secretary under subsection (c) for a period not to exceed 5 years.

(1) Limits Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide grants to eligible States in an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the cost of the establishment or enhancement of a State sustainable agriculture program under a plan approved by the Secretary under subsection (c) for a period not to exceed 5 years.

(2) State contribution To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State shall agree to pay, from State appropriated funds, other State revenue, or from private contributions received by the State, not less than 50 percent of the cost of the establishment or enhancement of the sustainable agriculture program under an approved plan under subsection (c).

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XVI, § 1623, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3738; Pub. L. 113–79, title VII, § 7128(b)(2)(A), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 878; Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7614(b)(2)(A), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4834.)