E9-21293. Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

AGENCY:

Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice requesting nominations.

SUMMARY:

The Secretary of Agriculture is renewing 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. This notice invites nominations for persons to service on the Committee.

DATES:

We will consider nominations that we receive by October 5, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

The instructions for submission of nominations are provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. You may submit nominations to: Mark Falcone, Designated Federal Official (DFO) for the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, or Ken Hill, Farm Service Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0522, Washington, DC 20250-0522; telephone [phone]; Fax [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mark Falcone at [phone]; or e-mail: [e-mail], or Ken Hill at [phone], or e-mail: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

As required by section 5 of the Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-554), the Secretary of Agriculture established the Committee to advise the Secretary on:

(1) 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) Administration of the program; and

(5) Other methods of creating new farming or ranching opportunities.

The law requires that members of the Committee be 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 USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES);

(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 will also appoint 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. Seven of the Committee members were replaced when the Committee charter was last renewed on March 28, 2008. Approximately one-third of the 20 existing members will be replaced when the charter is renewed.

We are 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. There will be a vacancy in at least four groups: State beginning farmer programs, commercial lenders, CSREES, and farmers and ranchers. Appointments and reappointments to the Committee will be made by the end of the calendar year and all nominees will be notified in writing.

The Committee generally 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, this Federal Register notice, 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. The form is available on the Internet at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/​Internet/​FSA_​File/​ad755.pdf. AD-755 can be completed on-line. However, nominees must print their completed forms from the Adobe PDF file, sign, and mail or fax them to the above address or fax number. The form also may be requested by telephone, fax, or e-mail. Letters of recommendation may be submitted, but should not be solicited or obtained from USDA officials employed in Washington DC. All inquiries about the nomination process and submissions of the AD-755 should go to Mark Falcone or Ken Hill, as provided in the ADDRESSES section for addresses and numbers.

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 August 28, 2009.

Jonathan W. Coppess,

Administrator, Farm Service Agency.