[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28506-28507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9842]


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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 June 17, 2005, 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

[[Page 28507]]

assistance to qualified beginning farmers or ranchers. The Secretary 
has also appointed 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. 
Approximately one-third of the Committee membership was replaced when 
the Committee charter was reestablished on August 27, 2003. 
Approximately one-third of the 20 existing members will be replaced 
when the charter is renewed in August 2005. 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.
    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.
    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). 
Submission of this form will constitute a nomination. Letters of 
recommendation may also be submitted. 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, 
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 April 29, 2005.
James R. Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 05-9842 Filed 5-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P