05-9842. Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

AGENCY:

Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice requesting nominations.

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 [phone]; FAX [phone]; e-mail [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mark Falcone at [phone].

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 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.