7 U.S.C. § 5811 — Research and extension projects

reduce, to the extent feasible and practicable, the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and toxic natural materials in agricultural production;

improve low-input farm management to enhance agricultural productivity, profitability, and competitiveness; and

promote crop, livestock, and enterprise diversification; and

study, to the extent practicable, agricultural production systems that are located in areas that possess various soil, climate, and physical characteristics;

study farms that have been, and will continue to be, managed using farm production practices that rely on low-input and conservation practices;

take advantage of the experience and expertise of farmers and ranchers through their direct participation and leadership in projects;

transfer practical, reliable and timely information to farmers and ranchers concerning low-input sustainable farming practices and systems; and

promote a partnership between farmers, nonprofit organizations, agribusiness^*, and public and private research and extension institutions.

the relevance of the project to the purposes of this part;

the appropriateness of the design of the project;

the likelihood of obtaining the objectives of the project; and

the national or regional applicability of the findings and outcomes of the proposed project.

closely coordinate research and extension activities;

indicate the manner in which the findings of the project will be made readily usable by farmers;

maximize the involvement and cooperation of farmers, including projects involving on-farm research and demonstration;

involve a multidisciplinary systems approach; and

involve cooperation between farms, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, and government agencies.