7 U.S.C. § 3101 — Purposes of agricultural research, extension, and education

1. (1)enhance the competitiveness of the United States agriculture and food industry in an increasingly competitive world environment;
2. (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. (3)develop new uses and new products for agricultural commodities, such as alternative fuels, and develop new crops;
4. (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. (5)improve risk management in the United States agriculture industry;
6. (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. (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. (8)maintain an adequate, nutritious, and safe supply of food to meet human nutritional needs and requirements; and
9. (9)support international collaboration that leverages resources and advances priority food and agricultural interests of the United States, such as—
   1. (A)addressing emerging plant and animal diseases;
   2. (B)improving crop varieties and animal breeds; and
   3. (C)developing safe, efficient, and nutritious food systems.