U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

       WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250

 

DEPARTMENTAL REGULATION

NUMBER:

1042-119

SUBJECT:  Advisory Committee on                                   Beginning Farmers and Ranchers 

DATE:    March 28, 2008

OPI:  Farm Loan Programs, FSA

 

1.   PURPOSE/SCOPE

 

a.   Section 5 of the Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (Pub. L. No. 102‑554) required the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee").  This regulation renews the Committee and serves as the Charter for the Committee.

 

b.   The purpose of this Committee is to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on:

 

(1)  The development of the program of coordinated assistance to qualified beginning farmers and ranchers under Section 309(i) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act;

 

(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.

 

 

2.   SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS/CANCELLATION

 

a.   The duration of the Committee shall be indefinite.

 

b.   This regulation will expire 2 years from the date of filing. 

 

c.   Departmental Regulation Number 1042-119, dated November 16, 2005, is hereby superseded.

 

3.   MEMBERSHIP AND OFFICERS

 

a.   The Committee shall consist of no less than 14 members and no more than 20 appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.

 

b.   Members shall include representatives from the following groups:

 

(1)  Farm Service Agency;

 

(2)  State beginning farmer programs;

 

(3)  Commercial lenders;

 

(4)  Private nonprofit organizations with active beginning farmer 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;

 

(7)  Other entities or persons providing lending or technical assistance for qualified beginning farmers or ranchers; and

 

(8)  Farmers or ranchers.

 

c.   The members of the Committee shall elect a Chairperson.

 

d.   Equal opportunity practices, consistent with Department of Agriculture (USDA) policies, will be followed in 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 USDA, membership should include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

 

 

4.   DUTIES

 

Members shall consider ways to encourage Federal and State Beginning Farmer Programs to increase assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers by providing joint financing.  Members will also provide advice to the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with Section 1(b).

 

 

5.   ESTIMATED ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES

 

a.   Members shall serve without compensation, but may receive reimbursement for travel expenses and per diem in accordance with USDA travel regulations for attendance at Committee functions.

 

b.   Estimated annual operating expenses are $70,000 and .30 staff years.

 

 

6.   NUMBER AND FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS

 

The Committee shall meet at least annually.  All meetings will be open to the public.

 

 

7.   REPORTS/SUPPORT

 

a.   The Committee reports to the Secretary of Agriculture through the FSA Administrator.

 

b.   The FSA will provide support for the Committee.

 

 

                                                                     -END-