[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 101 (Tuesday, May 27, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30073-30074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12332]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


2014 Farm Bill Implementation Listening Session--Strategic 
Economic and Community Development

AGENCY: Rural Development, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Public Listening Session.

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SUMMARY: As part of our implementation of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
(commonly referred to as the 2014 Farm Bill), Rural Development is 
hosting a listening session for public input about the Strategic 
Economic and Community Development priority funding to be made 
available for certain Rural Development programs. The 2014 Farm Bill 
contains a provision outlining the details of this priority funding in 
Section 6025.
    The listening session will provide an opportunity for stakeholders 
to voice their comments, concerns, or requests regarding the 
implementation of this priority funding.
    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 Thursday, 
June 5, 2014, and will begin at 1:00 p.m. and is scheduled to end by 
4:00 p.m.
    Registration: You must register by June 3, 2014, to attend in 
person and to provide oral comments during the listening session.
    Comments: Public comments during the listening session on June 5, 
2014 will be recorded. Written comments are due by June 12, 2014. 
Written comments must be submitted electronically via the Federal 
eRulmaking Portal: Regulations.gov (see below).

ADDRESSES: The listening session will be held in Room 108-A of the 
Whitten Building at 14th Street and Independence Ave. SW., Washington, 
DC 20250. We invite you to participate in the listening session. The 
listening session is open to the members of the public who register 
(see below).

[[Page 30074]]

    For participants who cannot make it to the listening session in 
person, remote participation will be available:
     Dial 1-800-981-3173 and enter Conference ID: 5173.
    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 
Chad Maisel, Phone: 202-720-4581, Email: [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 Rural Development, 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 Strategic Economic and Community Development priority 
funding, it is important to engage with our stakeholders to learn and 
understand their comments, concerns, or requests.
    Rural Development will hold the Strategic Economic and Community 
Development priority funding listening session on Thursday, June 5, 
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 are requested to submit a written copy to help Rural 
Development 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 June 12, 2014, via regulations.gov, as described above.
    At the listening session, the focus is for Rural Development to 
hear from the public; this is not a discussion with Rural Development 
officials or a question and answer session. As noted above, the purpose 
is to receive public input that Rural Development can consider in order 
to implement the Strategic Economic and Community Development provision 
of the 2014 Farm Bill. Rural Development is interested in receiving 
input on all aspects on the implementation of this provision, 
including, but not limited to, defining ``multi-jurisdictional'' and 
``strategic economic and community development plan'' and application 
requirements for applicants seeking funding under this provision.
    Date: Thursday, June 5, 2014.
    Time: 1:00 p.m.--4:00 p.m.
    Location information: USDA headquarters, in the Whitten Building, 
Room 108-A, 14th Street and Jefferson Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250.
    The listening session will begin with brief opening remarks from 
USDA leadership in Rural Development. Individual speakers providing 
oral comments are requested to be succinct (no more than 5 min) 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, if necessary due to time constraints, a limited 
number will be selected on a first come, first serve basis.

Instructions for Attending the Listening Session

    Space for attendance at the listening session is limited. Due to 
USDA headquarters security and space requirements, all persons wishing 
to attend the listening session in person or via phone must send an 
email to [email protected] by June 3, 2014, to register. 
Registrations will be accepted until maximum 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 is available at the USDA Farm Bill 
Web site http://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: May 22, 2014.
Doug O'Brien,
Acting Under Secretary, Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 2014-12332 Filed 5-23-14; 8:45 am]
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