Comment on FR Doc # 2010-12731

Ensure that the legislative priority for projects that targeted to small and mid-sized family farms and ranches and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers set by the 2008 Farm Bill are clearly expressed in the final rule and in the scoring/evaluation process. Congress has made this point very clear - these are mandated VAPG priorities. Yet, the proposed rule from USDA would award only 15 ranking points out of a potential 110 ranking points for projects targeted to this group. USDA should ensure the final rule awards 25 total points for the priority group, and should also add clear language to the effect that proposals which target small, mid-sized and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers should take priority over projects that are not targeted in that fashion if proposals are otherwise equally ranked.