--- kind: "section" citation: "7 U.S.C. § 5936a" title: "7" title_heading: "Agriculture" number: "5936a" heading: "Support for farm stress programs" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/5936a" units: - "Chapter 88 — Research" - "Subchapter VII — Miscellaneous Research Provisions" --- # §5936a. Support for farm stress programs - (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-6) shall make grants to State departments of agriculture (or such equivalent department) to expand or sustain stress assistance [programs](/usc/7/5844.md?p=a-1) for individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations, including— - (1) [programs](/usc/7/5844.md?p=a-1) that meet the criteria specified in [section 5936(b)(1) of this title](/usc/7/5936.md?p=b-1); and - (2) any [State](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-7) initiatives carried out as of December 27, 2020, that provide stress assistance for such individuals. - (b) **Grant timing and amount—** In making grants under [subsection (a)](#a), not later than 60 days after December 27, 2020, and subject to [subsection (c)](#c), the [Secretary](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-6) shall— - (1) make awards to [States](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-7) submitting [State](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-7) plans that meet the criteria specified in [paragraph (1)](#b-1) of such subsection within the time period specified by the [Secretary](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-6); and - (2) of the amounts made available under [subsection (f)](#f), allocate among such [States](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-7), an amount to be determined by the [Secretary](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-6), which in no case may exceed $500,000 for each [State](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-7). - (c) **State plan—** - (1) **In general—** A State department of agriculture seeking a grant under [subsection (a)](#a) shall submit to the [Secretary](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-6) a [State](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-7) plan to expand or sustain stress assistance [programs](/usc/7/5844.md?p=a-1) described in that subsection that includes— - (A) a description of each activity and the estimated amount of funding to support each [program](/usc/7/5844.md?p=a-1) and activity carried out through such a [program](/usc/7/5844.md?p=a-1); - (B) an estimated timeline for the operation of each such [program](/usc/7/5844.md?p=a-1) and activity; - (C) the total amount of funding sought; and - (D) an assurance that the State department of agriculture will comply with the reporting requirement under [subsection (e)](#e). - (2) **Guidance—** Not later than 20 days after December 27, 2020, the [Secretary](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-6) shall issue guidance for [States](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-7) with respect to the submission of a [State](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-7) plan under [paragraph (1)](#c-1) and the allocation criteria under [subsection (b)](#b). - (3) **Reallocation—** If, after the first grants are awarded pursuant to allocation under [subsection (b)](#b), any funds made available under [subsection (f)](#f) to carry out this subsection remain unobligated, the [Secretary](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-6) shall— - (A) inform [States](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-7) that submit plans as described in [subsection (b)](#b), of such availability; and - (B) reallocate such funds among such [States](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-7), as the [Secretary](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-6) determines to be appropriate and equitable. - (d) **Collaboration—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-6) may issue guidance to encourage State departments of agriculture to use funds provided under this section to support [programs](/usc/7/5844.md?p=a-1) described in [subsection (a)](#a) that are operated by— - (1) Indian tribes (as defined in [section 5304 of title 25](/usc/25/5304.md)); - (2) [State](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-7) cooperative [extension](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-5) services; and - (3) nongovernmental organizations. - (e) **Reporting—** Not later than 180 days after the COVID–19 public health emergency ends, each [State](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-7) receiving additional grants under [subsection (b)](#b) shall submit a report to the [Secretary](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-6) describing— - (1) the activities conducted using such funds; - (2) the amount of funds used to support each such activity; and - (3) the estimated number of individuals served by each such activity. - (f) **Funding—** Out of the funds of the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to carry out this section $28,000,000, to remain available until expended. - (g) **State defined—** In this section, the term “[State](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-7)” means— - (1) a [State](/usc/7/5801.md?p=b-7); - (2) the District of Columbia; - (3) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and - (4) any other territory or possession of the United States. ## Source credit (Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title VII, § 766, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2118.) ## Notes ### Editorial Notes ### Codification Section was enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and not as part of subtitle H of title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 which comprises this subchapter. ### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries ### Definitions Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title VII, § 760, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2109, provided that: “In this chapter [chapter 2 (§§ 760–766) of subtitle B of title VII of div. N of Pub. L. 116–260, enacting this section and sections 217b and 9071a of this title and section 473 of Title 21, Food and Drugs, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 9056 of this title]: The term ‘COVID–19’ means the disease caused by SARS–CoV–2, or any viral strain mutating therefrom with pandemic potential. The term ‘COVID–19 public health emergency’ means the public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) on January 31, 2020, with respect to COVID–19 (or any renewal of that declaration). The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Agriculture.”