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Regulation Number 1042-119, dated November 16, 2005, is hereby superseded.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