[Federal Register: May 18, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 95)]
[Notices]
[Page 28506-28507]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18my05-35]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.
ACTION: Notice requesting nominations.
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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Agriculture intends to renew the charter of
the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (Committee).
The Committee provides advice to the Secretary on ways to encourage
Federal and State beginning farmer programs to provide joint financing
to beginning farmers and ranchers, and other methods of creating new
farming and ranching opportunities. Nominations of persons to serve on
the Committee are invited.
DATES: Nominations will be accepted through June 17, 2005, and should
be submitted to Mark Falcone, Designated Federal Official (DFO) for the
Committee, at the address below.
ADDRESSES: Mark Falcone, DFO for the Advisory Committee on Beginning
Farmers and Ranchers, Farm Service Agency, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0522, Washington, DC
20250-0522; telephone (202) 720-1632; FAX (202) 690-1117; e-mail
mark.falcone@usda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Falcone at (202) 720-1632.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 5 of the Agricultural Credit
Improvement Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-554) required the Secretary of
Agriculture to establish the Committee for the purpose of advising the
Secretary on the following: (1) The development of a program of
coordinated financial assistance to qualified beginning farmers and
ranchers under section 309(i) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (Federal and State beginning farmer programs provide
joint financing to beginning farmers and ranchers); (2) methods of
maximizing the number of new farming and ranching opportunities created
through the program; (3) methods of encouraging States to participate
in the program; (4) the administration of the program; and (5) other
methods of creating new farming or ranching opportunities.
The law requires that members include representatives from the
following groups: (1) The Farm Service Agency (FSA); (2) State
beginning farmer programs (as defined in section 309(i)(5) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act); (3) commercial lenders;
(4) private nonprofit organizations with active beginning farmer or
rancher programs; (5) the Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service; (6) Community colleges or other educational
institutions with demonstrated experience in training beginning farmers
or ranchers; and (7) other entities or persons providing lending or
technical
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assistance to qualified beginning farmers or ranchers. The Secretary
has also appointed farmers and ranchers to the Committee.
USDA Departmental Regulation 1042-119 dated November 25, 1998,
first established the Committee and designated FSA to provide support.
Approximately one-third of the Committee membership was replaced when
the Committee charter was reestablished on August 27, 2003.
Approximately one-third of the 20 existing members will be replaced
when the charter is renewed in August 2005. FSA is now accepting
nominations of individuals to serve for a 2-year term on the Committee.
Reappointments are made to assure effectiveness and continuity of
operations. The duration of the Committee is indefinite. No member,
other than a USDA employee, can serve for more than 6 consecutive
years.
The Committee meets at least once a year and all meetings are open
to the public. Committee meetings provide an opportunity for members to
exchange ideas and provide advice on ways to increase opportunities for
beginning farmers and ranchers. Members discuss various issues and
draft recommendations, which are submitted to the Secretary in writing.
Nominations are being sought through the media, the Federal
Register, and other appropriate methods. Persons nominated for the
Committee will be required to complete and submit an Advisory Committee
Membership Background Information Questionnaire (Form AD-755).
Submission of this form will constitute a nomination. Letters of
recommendation may also be submitted. The questionnaire is available on
the Internet at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafl/Downloads/ad755.pdf.
Questionnaires can be completed on-line. However, nominees must print
their completed forms from an Adobe PDF file and mail or fax them to
the above address or fax number. The form may also be requested by
telephone, fax, or e-mail. All inquiries about the nomination process
and submissions of the AD-755 should be made to Mark Falcone at the
addresses and numbers listed above. Appointments to the Committee will
be made by the Secretary of Agriculture. Equal opportunity practices,
consistent with USDA policies, will be followed in making all
appointments to the Committee. To ensure that the recommendations of
the Committee have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups
served by the Department, membership should include, to the extent
practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent
minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens.
Signed in Washington, DC, on April 29, 2005.
James R. Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 05-9842 Filed 5-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P