UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250

July 1, 2011

SECRETARY’S MEMORANDUM 1072-001

Delegation of Authority

Establish a Competitive Grant Program within the

National Institute of Food and Agriculture in Accordance with the

FDA Food Safety Modernization Act

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this memorandum is to delegate authority within the Department to implement section 405 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) (7 U.S.C. 7625), as added by section 209(b) of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Pub. L. No. 111-353. Section 405 of AREERA directs the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to carry out the National Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, Outreach, and Technical Assistance Program established under section 1011(d) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 399b(d)), as added by section 209(a) of FSMA. Section 1011(d) directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collaborate with the Secretary in the establishment of a competitive grant program within the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to provide food safety training, education, extension, outreach, and technical assistance to owners and operators of farms, small food processors, and small fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers.

2. DELEGATIONS

The Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics is hereby delegated the authority vested in the Secretary to implement section 405 of AREERA, administering a competitive grant program entitled the National Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, Outreach, and Technical Assistance Program. This authority is further delegated to the Director, NIFA.

3. EXISTING DELEGATIONS

Prior delegations of authority, administrative regulations, and other directives not inconsistent with the provisions of this Memorandum shall remain in full force and effect.

4. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION

This delegation is effective immediately and will remain in effect for one year, or until such earlier time as the Department’s published delegations of authority have been revised to incorporate the provisions of this Memorandum.

Thomas J. Vilsack

Secretary