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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 170 (Thursday, September 3, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45607-45608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-21293]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency

Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

[[Page 45608]]

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 service on the Committee.

DATES: We will consider nominations that we receive by October 5, 2009.

ADDRESSES: The instructions for submission of nominations are provided 
in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. You may submit nominations 
to: Mark Falcone, Designated Federal Official (DFO) for the Advisory 
Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, or Ken Hill, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Falcone at (202) 720-1632; or e-
mail: [email protected], or Ken Hill at (202) 720-5199, or e-mail: 
[email protected].

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 USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension 
Service (CSREES);
    (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 will also appoint 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. Seven of the Committee members were replaced when the 
Committee charter was last renewed on March 28, 2008. Approximately 
one-third of the 20 existing members will be replaced when the charter 
is renewed.
    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. There will be a vacancy in at 
least four groups: State beginning farmer programs, commercial lenders, 
CSREES, and farmers and ranchers. Appointments and reappointments to 
the Committee will be made by the end of the calendar year and all 
nominees will be notified in writing.
    The Committee generally 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. The form is 
available on the Internet at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/ad755.pdf. AD-755 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 also may be 
requested by telephone, fax, or e-mail. Letters of recommendation may 
be submitted, but should not be solicited or obtained from USDA 
officials employed in Washington DC. All inquiries about the nomination 
process and submissions of the AD-755 should go to Mark Falcone or Ken 
Hill, as provided in the ADDRESSES section for addresses and numbers.
    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 August 28, 2009.
Jonathan W. Coppess,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. E9-21293 Filed 9-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P
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