[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 115 (Friday, June 15, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 33191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11544]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 115 / Friday, June 15, 2007 / 
Notices  

[[Page 33191]]



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 is renewing 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. This notice invites nominations for 
persons to serve on the Committee.

DATES: We will consider nominations we receive by July 16, 2007.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit nominations for Committee members. 
You may submit nominations to: Mark Falcone, Designated Federal 
Official (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; or e-mail 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Falcone at (202) 720-1632.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As required by Section 5 of the Agricultural 
Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (Pub. L, 102-554), the Secretary of 
Agriculture established the Committee to advise the Secretary on: (1) 
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) administration of 
the program, and (5) other methods of creating new farming or ranching 
opportunities.
    The law requires that members of the Committee be 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.
    USDA Departmental Regulation 1042-119, dated November 25, 1998, 
first established the Committee and designated FSA to provide support. 
One-half of the Committee membership was replaced when the Committee 
charter was last renewed on November 16, 2005. Approximately one-third 
of the 20 existing members will be replaced when the charter is renewed 
in November 2007. We are 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. As a result, there will be a 
vacancy in at least three groups: Commercial lenders, other entities or 
persons, and farmers and ranchers. Appointments and reappointments to 
the Committee will be made in the fall of 2007 and all nominees will be 
notified in writing at that time.
    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, this Federal 
Register notice, 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, but should not be solicited or 
obtained from USDA officials employed in Washington DC. The 
questionnaire is available on the Internet at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/ad755.pdf. Questionnaires can be completed on-line, 
however, nominees must print their completed forms from the Adobe PDF 
file, sign, 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 or Sam Snyder 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 June 4, 2007.
Glen L. Keppy,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
 [FR Doc. E7-11544 Filed 6-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P