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

enhance the competitiveness of the United States agriculture and food industry in an increasingly competitive world environment; 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; develop new uses and new products for agricultural commodities, such as alternative fuels, and develop new crops; 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; improve risk management in the United States agriculture industry; 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; 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; maintain an adequate, nutritious, and safe supply of food to meet human nutritional needs and requirements; and addressing emerging plant and animal diseases; improving crop varieties and animal breeds; and developing safe, efficient, and nutritious food systems.