NEWS
Farm Service Agency
Public Affairs Staff
1400 Independence Ave SW
Stop 0506, Room 3624-South
Washington, D.C. 20250-0506


Release No. 1545.05

Pasha Moore (202) 720-8768


BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 19, 2005 — Farmers, ranchers and the general public are invited to attend the USDA’s Advisory Committee meeting on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers on Aug. 8-9, 2005, in Omaha, Neb. The two-day meeting offers the public the opportunity to listen to the committee’s deliberations and air comments and concerns on beginning farmer issues.

“This meeting is a valuable opportunity for citizens to help shape future opportunities for America’s beginning farmers and ranchers,” said USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator James R. Little.

The public meeting will be held at the Omaha Hilton, 1001 Cass Street, Omaha, Neb. August 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and August 9, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All times are Central Standard Time (CST). Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations to attend or participate should contact Mark Falcone by Aug. 2, 2005.

The committee will discuss the following:
* Secretary of agriculture’s May 2, 2005, remarks on the
next generation of farmers to the National Association of Farm Broadcasters;
* Discussion with the president of the National
Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) regarding state ‘beginning farmer’ programs;
* ‘Beginning farmer’ programs administered by FSA and the
Farm Credit Services of America;
* Demographic information on farm succession;
* Opportunities in acquiring land in FSA’s Conservation
Reserve Program; and
* Risk Management Education Programs.

Attendance is open to the public, but space is limited.
The floor will be open to public comment on August 8 at 1:15 p.m. CST. Comments will be limited to five (5) minutes and presenters will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Comment requests should include the speaker’s name, affiliation and an outline of the issue or issues slated for discussion.

Anyone wishing to make comments should submit a request in writing by letter, fax or e-mail by Aug. 2, 2005, to:
Mark Falcone
Designated Federal Official
Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
Farm Service Agency
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Stop 0522
Washington, D.C. 20250-0522
Fax: (202) 690-1117
e-mail: mark.falcone@wdc.usda.gov

The Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers 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. The committee meets at least once a year, and meetings are open to the public.

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NOTE: Farm Service Agency (FSA) news releases and media advisories are available on the Web at FSA’s home page:
http://www.fsa.usda.gov .