[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 76 (Friday, April 19, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 19376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-9735]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Public Meetings of Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and 
Ranchers

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is issuing this notice to advise 
the public that meetings of the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers 
and Ranchers (Committee) will be held to discuss various beginning 
farmer issues, including recommendations drafted at last year's 
meetings.

DATES: The public meetings will be held May 6-7, 2002. The first 
meeting on May 6, 2002, will start at 1 p.m. and end at 5 p.m. On May 
7, 2002, the meeting will begin at 8 a.m. and end by 4 p.m. All 
meetings will be held at the Adams Mark Hotel, Fourth and Chestnut, St. 
Louis, Missouri, telephone (314) 241-7400. All times noted are Central 
Standard Time (CST).

ADDRESSES: Mark Falcone, Designated Federal Official 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 [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 required by 
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.
    Departmental Regulation 1042-119 dated January 15, 2001, formally 
established the Committee and designated FSA to provide support. The 
Committee meets at least once a year and all meetings are open to the 
public. The duration of the Committee is indefinite.
    Earlier meetings of the Committee, held August 31-September 2, 
1999, April 11-12, 2000, and June 19-20, 2001, provided an opportunity 
for members to exchange ideas on ways to increase opportunities for 
beginning farmers and ranchers through Federal-State partnerships and 
to encourage more State participation. Members discussed various issues 
and drafted numerous recommendations, which were provided to the 
Secretary. Many of last year's recommendations were included in the 
proposed 2002 Farm Bill, which members will discuss, along with other 
issues that were tabled at last year's meetings.
    Attendance is open to all interested persons but limited to space 
available. Anyone wishing to make an oral statement should submit their 
request in writing (letter, fax, or e-mail) to Mark Falcone at the 
above address. Statements should be received no later than May 1, 2002. 
Requests should include the name and affiliation of the individual who 
will make the presentation and an outline of the issues to be 
addressed. The floor will be open to oral presentations beginning at 
1:00 p.m. CST on May 7, 2002. Comments will be limited to 5 minutes, 
and presenters will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis.
    Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations to 
attend or participate in the meetings should contact Mark Falcone by 
May 1, 2002.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on April 12, 2002.
James R. Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 02-9735 Filed 4-17-02; 1:29 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P