USDA Seeks Advisory Committee Nominations

WASHINGTON - May 18/05 - SNS -- The USDA is accepting nominations to the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers until June 17, 2005.

The 20-member committee advises the Secretary of Agriculture on ways to encourage Federal and state programs to provide joint financing to beginning farmers and ranchers as well as methods of maximizing new opportunities created through federal and state programs.

About one-third of the existing 20-member Committee will be replaced this year when the charter is renewed in August 2005. Appointments are for a two-year term. Re-appointments are made to assure effectiveness and continuity of operations. No member, other than a federal employee, can serve for more than six consecutive years. Members are not paid; however, they are reimbursed for travel expenses related to attending meetings, which are generally held once annually.

To qualify, members must belong to any of the following groups: USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA); state beginning farmer programs; commercial lenders; private nonprofit organizations with active beginning farmer or rancher programs; the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service; community colleges or other educational institutions with demonstrated experience in training beginning farmers or ranchers; and other entities or persons providing lending or technical assistance to qualified beginning farmers or ranchers. In addition, farmers and ranchers are eligible for nomination.

Form AD-755, "Advisory Committee Membership Background Information," must be completed for those interested in serving on the committee. Submission of this form constitutes a nomination, and eligible people may nominate themselves. Letters of recommendation may be submitted. For a copy of the form, to submit nominations or for more information, contact Mark Falcone, Federal official for the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, at (202) 720-1632. Falcone's address is: USDA-FSA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Stop 0522, Washington, D.C., 20250-0522; Fax is (202) 690-1117.