[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 87 (Tuesday, May 6, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25829-25830]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10278]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business--Cooperative Service


2014 Farm Bill Implementation Listening Session--Healthy Food 
Financing Initiative

AGENCY: Rural Business--Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: As part of our implementation of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
(commonly referred to as the 2014 Farm Bill), the Rural Business-
Cooperative Service (RBS) is hosting a listening session for public 
input about the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) for which USDA 
has been granted new authority to implement. The 2014 Farm Bill 
contains a provision outlining the details of this Initiative in 
Section 4206.
    The listening session will provide an opportunity for stakeholders 
to voice their comments, concerns, or requests regarding the 
implementation of this initiative. Instructions regarding registering 
for and attending the listening session are in the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section of this notice.

DATES: Listening session: The listening session will be on May 30, 
2014, and will begin at 1:00 p.m. and is scheduled to end by 4:00 p.m.
    Registration: You must register by May 26, 2014, to attend the in-
person and to provide oral comments during the listening session.
    Comments: Public comments during the listening session on May 30, 
2014, will be recorded. Written comments are also due by May 30, 2014. 
Written comments must be submitted electronically via the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal: Regulations.gov.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to participate in the listening session. The 
listening session is open to the public. The meeting will be held at 
USDA headquarters, in the Whitten Building, 1400 Jefferson Drive SW., 
Room 107-A, Washington, DC 20250.
    For participants who cannot make it to the listening session in-
person, remote ``listen only'' participation will be available:
     All interested participants are encouraged to use this URL 
to listen in: http://m.onsm.com/mvp/@usda3. This is a ``listen only'' 
URL.
     For participants who do not have access to a computer, 
dial 1-888-790-1837. Participant passcode is USDA (given verbally). 
This is a ``listen only'' line and is very limited.
     For participants requiring special accommodation, live 
captioning is available here: http://www.captionedtext.com/client/event.aspx?CustomerID=190&EventID=2351577.
    We invite all participants to submit comments by any of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments; or
     Orally at the listening session; please also provide a 
written copy of your comments online as specified.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Primary program point of contact is 
Claudette Fernandez, Phone: 202-365-5320, Email:

[[Page 25830]]

[email protected]. Persons with disabilities who require 
alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audio tape, 
etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice 
and TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 7, 2014, the 2014 Farm Bill 
(Pub. L. 113-79) was signed into law. The Secretary of Agriculture and 
the respective USDA agencies, including RBS, are working to implement 
the provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill as expeditiously as possible to 
meet the needs of stakeholders. To plan and implement the newly 
authorized HFFI program, it is important to engage with our 
stakeholders to learn and understand their comments, concerns, or 
requests.
    RBS will hold the HFFI listening session on May 30, 2014, to 
receive oral comments from stakeholders and the public. Oral comments 
received from this listening session will be documented and/or 
recorded. All attendees of this listening session who submit oral 
comments must also submit a written copy to help the agency accurately 
capture public input. (See the ADDRESSES section above for information 
about submitting written comments.) In addition, stakeholders and the 
public who do not wish to attend or speak at the listening session are 
invited to submit written comments, which must be received by May 30, 
2014.
    At the listening session, the focus is for RBS to hear from the 
public; this is not a discussion with RBS officials or a question and 
answer session. As noted above, the purpose is to receive public input 
that RBS can consider in order to implement the HFFI provision of the 
2014 Farm Bill.
    Date: May 30, 2014.
    Time: 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
    Location information: USDA headquarters, in the Whitten Building, 
1400 Jefferson Drive SW., Room 107A, Washington, DC 20250.
    The listening session will begin with brief opening remarks from 
USDA leadership in Rural Development and a general background on HFFI. 
Individual speakers providing oral comments are requested to be 
succinct (no more than 5 minutes) as we do not know at this time how 
many participants there will be. As noted above, we request that 
speakers providing oral comments also provide a written copy of their 
comments. (See the ADDRESSES section above for information about 
submitting written comments.) All stakeholders and interested members 
of the public are welcome to register to provide oral comments; 
however, due to the time constraints a limited number will be selected 
on a first come, first serve basis.

Instructions for Attending the Meeting

    Space for attendance at the meeting is limited. Due to USDA 
headquarters security and space requirements, all persons wishing to 
attend the public meeting or provide oral comments to RBS during the 
listening session must send an email to 
[email protected] by May 26, 2014, to register the names 
of those planning to attend. Registrations will be accepted until 
maximum room capacity is reached. To register, provide the following 
information:

 First Name
 Last Name
 Organization
 Title
 Email
 Phone Number
 City
 State

    Upon arrival at the USDA Whitten Building, registered persons must 
provide valid photo identification in order to enter the building; 
visitors need to enter the Whitten Building on the mall side. Please 
allow extra time to get through security. Additional information about 
the listening session, agenda, directions to get to the listening 
session, and how to provide comments are available at the USDA Farm 
Bill Web sitehttp://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=farmbill.
    All written comments received will be publicly available on 
www.regulations.gov. If you require special accommodations, such as a 
sign language interpreter, use the contact information above. The 
listening session location is accessible to persons with disabilities.

    Dated: April 30, 2014.
Lillian Salerno,
Administrator, Rural Business--Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-10278 Filed 5-5-14; 8:45 am]
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