[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 165 (Thursday, August 24, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 51588]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21645]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 165 / Thursday, August 24, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 51588]]



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. Nominations of persons to serve on 
the Committee are invited.

DATES: Nominations will be accepted through September 25, 2000, 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., Room 5438-S, STOP 0522, 
Washington, DC 20250-0522; telephone (202) 720-1632; FAX (202) 690-
1117; e-mail [email protected].

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 assistance to qualified beginning farmers or ranchers. The 
Secretary has also appointed farmers and ranchers to the Committee.
    Departmental Regulation 1042-119 dated November 25, 1998, formally 
established the Committee and designated FSA to provide support. FSA is 
now accepting nominations of individuals to serve for a 2-year term on 
the Committee, which is comprised of 18 individuals. One-third of the 
existing Committee membership will be replaced when the Committee 
charter expires on November 25, 2000. The Committee will be 
reestablished with the 12 old and six new members thereafter. 
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.
    Appointments to the Committee will be made by the Secretary of 
Agriculture. Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies, 
will be followed in 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.
    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 on ways to increase opportunities for beginning farmers 
and ranchers through Federal-State partnerships. Members discuss 
various issues and draft numerous recommendations, which are submitted 
to the Secretary in writing.

    Signed in Washington, D.C. on August 18, 2000.
Parks Shackleford,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 00-21645 Filed 8-23-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P