[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 198 (Friday, October 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 63375]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25923]


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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, 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 November 12, 2002, 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 (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. One-
third of the Committee membership was replaced when the Committee 
charter was reestablished on January 15, 2001. Approximately one-third 
of the 19 existing members will be replaced when the charter is renewed 
in January 2003. 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.
    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). 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, 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 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.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on October 4, 2002.
Teresa C. Lasseter,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 02-25923 Filed 10-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P