7 U.S.C. § 8312

(a) Administration To carry out this chapter, the Secretary may— (1) acquire and maintain real or personal property; (2) employ a person; (3) make a grant; and (4) notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, enter into a contract, cooperative agreement, memorandum of understanding, or other agreement. (b) Tort claims (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may pay a tort claim, in the manner authorized by the first paragraph of section 2672 of title 28 , if the claim arises outside the United States in connection with an activity authorized under this chapter. (2) Requirements A claim may not be allowed under this subsection unless the claim is presented in writing to the Secretary not later than 2 years after the date on which the claim arises.