---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 5831"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "5831"
heading: "Technical guides and handbooks"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/5831"
units:
  - "Chapter 88 — Research"
  - "Subchapter I — Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education"
  - "Part C — Sustainable Agriculture Technology Development and Transfer Program"
---

# §5831. Technical guides and handbooks

- (a) **Development—** Not later than two years after November 28, 1990, the [Secretary](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-6) shall develop and make available handbooks and technical guides, and any other educational materials that are appropriate for describing [sustainable agriculture](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-1) production systems and practices, as researched and developed under this subchapter, [chapter 86](/usc/7/ch86.md) of this title,[^1] and other appropriate research programs of the Department.
- (b) **Consultation and coordination—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-6) shall develop the handbooks, technical guides, and educational materials in consultation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and any other appropriate entities designated by the [Secretary](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-6). The [Secretary](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-6) shall coordinate activities conducted under this section with those conducted under [section 3861 of title 16](/usc/16/3861.md).
- (c) **Topics of handbooks and guides—** The handbooks and guides, and other educational materials, shall include detailed information on the selection of crops and crop-[plant](/usc/7/8901.md?p=10) varieties, rotation practices, soil building practices, tillage systems, nutrient management, integrated [pest](/usc/7/136.md?p=t) management practices, habitat protection, [pest](/usc/7/136.md?p=t), weed, and disease management, livestock management, soil, water, and energy conservation, and any other practices in accordance with or in furtherance of the purpose of this subchapter.
- (d) **Organization and contents—** The handbooks and guides, and other educational materials, shall provide practical instructions and be organized in such a manner as to enable agricultural [producers](/usc/7/6802.md?p=4-A-iii-III-bb) desiring to implement the practices and systems developed under this subchapter, [chapter 86](/usc/7/ch86.md) of this title,[^1] and other appropriate research programs of the Department to address site-specific, environmental and resource management problems and to sustain farm profitability, including—
  - (1) enhancing and maintaining the fertility, productivity, and conservation of farmland and ranch soils, ranges, pastures, and wildlife;
  - (2) maximizing the efficient and effective use of agricultural inputs;
  - (3) protecting or enhancing the quality of water resources; or
  - (4) optimizing the use of on-farm and nonrenewable resources.
- (e) **Availability—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-6) shall ensure that handbooks and technical guides, and other educational materials are made available to the agricultural community and the public through colleges and universities, the [State](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-7) Cooperative [Extension](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-5) Service, the Soil Conservation Service, other [State](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-7) and Federal agencies, and any other appropriate entities.
- (f) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—
  - (1) such sums as are necessary for fiscal year 2013; and
  - (2) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XVI, § 1628, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3740; Pub. L. 102–237, title IV, § 407(3), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1864; Pub. L. 104–127, title VIII, §§ 860(c)(3), 862(b)(3), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1174; Pub. L. 113–79, title VII, § 7203, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 880; Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7203, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4803.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This subchapter, referred to in subsecs. (a), (c), and (d), was in the original “this subtitle”, meaning subtitle B (§§ 1619–1629) of title XVI of Pub. L. 101–624, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3733, which enacted this subchapter, repealed sections 4701 to 4710 of this title, and repealed provisions set out as a note under section 4701 of this title. For complete classification of subtitle B to the Code, see Tables.

Chapter 86 of this title, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (d), was in the original “subtitle G of title XIV”, meaning subtitle G (§§ 1481–1485) of title XIV of Pub. L. 101–624, which was repealed by Pub. L. 105–185, title III, § 302(c), June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 563.

### Amendments

2018—Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 115–334 substituted “2023” for “2018”.

2014—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 113–79 amended subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.”

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–127, § 862(b)(3), struck out “section 5881 of this title,” before “and other appropriate”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–127, § 860(c)(3), substituted “Natural Resources Conservation Service” for “Advisory Council, the Soil Conservation Service,”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–127, § 862(b)(3), struck out “section 5881 of this title,” before “and other appropriate” in introductory provisions.

1991—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–237 substituted “educational” for “education”.