(3)
Grants and contracts
(A)
In general
The Secretary may make grants to, and enter into contracts and other agreements with, an eligible entity that has demonstrated an ability to carry out the requirements described in paragraph (2) to provide outreach and technical assistance under this subsection.
(B)
Relationship to other law
The authority to carry out this section shall be in addition to any other authority provided in this or any other Act.
(C)
Other projects
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary may make grants to, and enter into contracts and other agreements with, an organization or institution that received funding under this section before January 1, 1996, to carry out a project that is similar to a project for which the organization or institution received such funding.
(D)
Report
The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, and make publicly available, an annual report that includes a list of the following:
(i)
The recipients of funds made available under the program.
(ii)
The activities undertaken and services provided.
(iii)
The number of current and prospective socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers served and outcomes of such service.
(iv)
The problems and barriers identified by entities in trying to increase participation by current and prospective socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(4)
Funding
(A)
In general
Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this section—
(i)
$15,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
(ii)
$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2012.
(B)
Interagency funding
In addition to funds authorized to be appropriated under subparagraph (A), any agency of the Department may participate in any grant, contract, or agreement entered into under this subsection by contributing funds, if the agency determined that the objectives of the grant, contract, or agreement will further the authorized programs of the contributing agency.
(C)
Limitation on use of funds for administrative expenses
Not more than 5 percent of the amounts made available under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year may be used for expenses related to administering the program under this section.