Farm Loan Pilot Projects, 60805-60807 [2014-24050]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 8, 2014 / Notices
single cheddar cheese plant or it may
report for more than one cheddar cheese
plant, depending upon how the
business is structured.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
13.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 52.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 225 hours.
(3) Dairy Products Sales, Butter
Estimate of Burden: The public
reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 20
minutes per week for each report
submitted.
Respondents: Butter manufacturers.
Each reporting entity may report for a
single butter plant or it may report for
more than one butter plant, depending
upon how the business is structured.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
19.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 52.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 329 hours.
(4) Dairy Products Sales, Nonfat Dry
Milk
Estimate of Burden: The public
reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 20
minutes per week for each report
submitted.
Respondents: Nonfat dry milk
(NFDM) manufacturers. Each reporting
entity may report for a single NFDM
plant or it may report for more than one
NFDM plant, depending upon how the
business is structured.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
28.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 52.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 485 hours.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
(5) Dairy Products Sales, Dry Whey
Estimate of Burden: The public
reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 20
minutes per week for each report
submitted.
Respondents: Dry whey
manufacturers. Each reporting entity
may report for a single dry whey plant
or it may report for more than one dry
whey plant, depending upon how the
business is structured.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
19.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 52.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 329 hours.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:27 Oct 07, 2014
Jkt 235001
60805
(6) Annual Validation Survey
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Estimate of Burden: The public
reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 20
minutes per year for each report
submitted.
Respondents: Dairy manufacturers.
Each reporting entity may report for a
single plant or it may report for more
than one plant, depending upon how
the business is structured.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
181.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 60 hours.
Farm Service Agency
(7) Survey Follow-Up, Verification
Estimate of Burden: The public
reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 5
minutes for each contact from AMS.
Respondents: Dairy manufacturers.
Each reporting entity may report for a
single plant or it may report for more
than one plant, depending upon how
the business is structured. AMS may
contact manufacturers as necessary to
follow up on missing or incomplete
reports and ensure that accurate
information is provided by
manufacturers.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 7.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 30 hours.
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether
the proposed collection of the
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of the burden of the proposed collection
of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) ways to enhance the quality, utility,
and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, including
through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology.
All responses to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request
for OMB approval. All comments will
also become a matter of public record.
Dated: October 3, 2014.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural
Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–24012 Filed 10–7–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Farm Loan Pilot Projects
Farm Service Agency, USDA.
Notice and request for comment.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Farm Service Agency
(FSA) will conduct pilot projects of
limited scope and duration to evaluate
processes and techniques that may
improve the efficiency and effectiveness
of the Farm Loan Programs (FLP) real
estate loans (also referred to as ‘‘farm
ownership loans’’), operating loans,
emergency loans, and administrative
provisions, as required by the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm
Bill). This notice provides an
opportunity for the public to provide
comments for FSA to consider for pilot
projects. FSA expects to conduct at least
two to three pilot projects.
DATES: We will consider comments that
we receive by November 7, 2014.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit
comments on this notice. In your
comment, include volume, date, and
page number of this issue of the Federal
Register. You may submit comments by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
online instructions for submitting
comments.
• Mail: Carrie L. Novak, Senior Loan
Officer, LMD DAFLP FSA, US
Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0522,
Washington, DC 20250–0522.
Comments will be available for
viewing online at https://
www.regulations.gov. In addition,
comments will be available for public
inspection at the above address during
business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except
holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Carrie Novak; phone: (202) 720–1643.
Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of
information for this notice (Braille, large
print, audiotape, etc.) should contact
USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–
2600 (voice).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Background
FSA makes and services a variety of
direct and guaranteed loans to farmers
who are temporarily unable to obtain
private commercial credit. FSA also
provides direct loan customers with
credit counseling and supervision to
enhance their opportunity for success.
FSA loan applicants are often beginning
E:\FR\FM\08OCN1.SGM
08OCN1
60806
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 8, 2014 / Notices
farmers and socially disadvantaged
farmers who do not qualify for
conventional loans because of
insufficient net worth or established
farmers who have suffered financial
setbacks due to natural disasters or
economic downturns. FSA loans are
tailored to a customer’s needs and may
be used to buy farmland and to finance
agricultural production.
FSA makes direct and guaranteed
operating and farm ownership loans to
eligible farmers and ranchers. Under its
direct operating loan program, FSA also
makes loans to youths to establish and
operate income-producing projects of
modest size in connection with their
participation in 4–H clubs, Future
Farmers of America, and similar
organizations. Guaranteed loans are
made through private lenders with a
guarantee of up to 95 percent of the loss
of principal and interest. Direct and
guaranteed operating loans can be used
to purchase livestock, equipment, feed,
seed, and other material essential to a
farm or ranch operation.
Direct and guaranteed farm ownership
loan funds may be used to purchase
land, construct buildings, or make farm
improvements. Guaranteed operating
and farm ownership loans may also be
used to refinance debt. FSA also
provides assistance to beginning and
socially disadvantaged farmers and
ranchers under its Direct Farm
Ownership Down Payment Loan
Program, and provides retiring farmers
the opportunity to transfer their land to
future generations of farmers and
ranchers.
FSA also targets a portion of its direct
and guaranteed operating loan and farm
ownership loan funds to beginning
farmers and ranchers and socially
disadvantaged applicants.
Emergency loans are available to
established farmers and ranchers who
have suffered losses as a result of a
natural disaster or quarantine.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
FLP Pilot Projects
Section 5302 of the 2014 Farm Bill
amends the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (also known as
the CONACT) to provide the Secretary
authority to conduct pilot projects of
limited scope and duration to evaluate
processes and techniques that may
improve the efficiency and effectiveness
of real estate loans, operating loans,
emergency loans, and administrative
provisions (7 U.S.C. 1983d). Processes
and techniques can be as specific as the
manner in which applications for
assistance are submitted (for example,
through electronic submissions), or as
broad as more effective methods of
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:27 Oct 07, 2014
Jkt 235001
outreach on programs for existing and
potential customers.
FSA is constantly identifying ways to
improve services and is interested in
hearing what kinds of pilots our
customers, stakeholders, and other
members of the public want to see. FSA
wants to hear how we can better serve
our customers and understand their
needs. The following are examples of
initiatives that FSA has already taken to
improve efficiency and effectiveness for
FLP.
One way that FSA has made
improvements is by expanding credit
opportunities for farmers and ranchers
with the Microloan Program. A
Microloan is a small direct farm
operating loan with a shortened
application process and reduced
paperwork. In addition, modifications
were made to the experience
requirement to allow for mentors and
apprenticeships. This has already
helped farmers.
FSA has recently released a recent
package of technology enhancements
that include Web access for handheld
and smartphone users, as well as a more
efficient and timely option for receiving
news and critical program information.
The technology improvements will
allow users of FSA information to gain
access to easy-to-read data, including
key features such as loan deficiency
payment rates, posted county prices,
FSA news releases and AskFSA, the
agency’s online self-help knowledge
base.
A recently revised policy allows FSA
to issue farm loan guarantees to
nontraditional lenders. A nontraditional
lender is one that does not typically
hold deposit accounts and is not subject
to oversight and supervision. The most
common nontraditional lenders are
those who are funded under the U.S.
Department of Treasury’s Community
Development Financial Institutions
Fund. Nontraditional lenders can
originate, hold and service guaranteed
loans. The goal is to improve and
maintain the quality of rural
communities. This goal is accomplished
by assisting rural communities,
individuals, groups, and support
organizations with viable rural
development enterprises. FSA has
worked with traditional lenders in the
past, but is now expanding to work with
both traditional and nontraditional
lenders.
FSA is currently operating a pilot
project in digital signatures. The
Electronic Signatures in Global and
National Commerce Act (Pub. L. 106–
229) ensures that a signature, contract,
or other record relating to such
transaction may not be denied legal
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
effect, validity, or enforceability solely
because it is in electronic form. It is an
FSA policy decision whether a certain
electronic format is practicable for a
certain transaction.
This digital signature pilot will allow
FSA to evaluate the use of this available
technology, potential cost and time
savings, and determine whether it is
practical for FLP and Farm Programs
(FP) purposes. This will assist FSA to
develop policy to not only allow the use
of digital signatures by FSA officials,
but by producers, FLP applicants,
borrowers, and lenders as well. The
pilot is to be conducted in Indiana and
Texas; digital signatures are only
authorized for certain FLP and FP
documents.
FSA is requesting comments that will
be used to develop recommendations for
pilot projects that will meet the
intended goals to evaluate processes and
techniques that may improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of real
estate loans, operating loans, emergency
loans, and administrative provisions.
The pilot projects may diverge from
program regulations at 7 CFR parts 761
through 767, but the pilot projects must
be consistent with the existing statutory
provisions governing Real Estate Loans,
Operating Loans, Emergency Loans, and
Administrative Provisions (see 7 U.S.C.
Chapter 50, subchapters I through IV for
the details of these CONACT
provisions). For example, a suggestion
could be for projects that provide
financial and management assistance to
eligible family farmers for authorized
loan purposes. Additional information
on FLP policies and procedures is
available in FSA handbooks 1–FLP
through 6–FLP at https://www.fsa.
usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&
subject=lare&topic=hbk.
The following questions provide
examples of loan making and servicing
concerns that may be helpful to
consider for your comment:
• How can FSA better reach and serve
veterans, especially returning veterans
who plan to start or return to farming?
• How can FSA encourage lending for
urban agriculture?
• What pricing models can be
developed or expanded to assist loan
officers in lending to producers who sell
traditional and specialty agricultural
products at non-traditional markets?
• What types of borrower training
systems can be explored to provide long
term economic benefits to agricultural
producers?
• Should FSA explore the use of
credit scores for small, streamlined loan
applications?
• Are there alternative lenders and
financers (grocery chains, implement
E:\FR\FM\08OCN1.SGM
08OCN1
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 8, 2014 / Notices
and feed dealers, community
development organizations) that could
partner and improve service to joint
customers as well as strengthen their
own business needs?
• What type of consulting service
could be developed to assist existing
borrowers to be more productive and
successful?
• How can the role of a mentor be
expanded beyond microloans?
• What are other methods that an
applicant can successfully prove
experience and managerial ability?
In your comment it will be most
helpful to:
• Explain the proposed pilot project
in as much detail as possible, including
the issue or concern to be addressed and
the intended benefit(s);
• Provide specific examples to
illustrate your points;
• Describe whether the project is
intended to benefit any particular
region, type of agricultural producer
(organic, direct market, wholesale, etc.),
or end customer; and
• Outline any potential costs or costs
savings and the basis for the
assumptions.
At the conclusion of the comment
period, FSA staff will review and
consider all of the suggestions in the
comments.
As required by the 2014 Farm Bill, at
least 60 days before initiating a pilot
project, the Secretary will submit notice
of the proposed pilot project to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House
of Representatives and the Committee
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
of the Senate. FSA will also consider
any feedback provided to the Secretary
in response to that notice.
FSA expects to select at least two to
three pilot projects. FSA will announce
the pilot projects through news release.
FSA expects that one of the results of
the pilot project will help expand
service to underserved producers. For
example, in remote areas, such as Indian
Country, distance and travel time make
it extremely difficult to establish the
network of contacts essential for
effective outreach and to provide
technical assistance. FSA lacks the
necessary knowledge and staff resources
to overcome language and cultural
barriers for some minority communities
and provide effective outreach and
technical assistance. In such situations,
partnerships with local organizations
could use existing networks and
expertise to provide effective outreach
and technical assistance and expand
participation. This is one example of
how FSA may carry out some pilot
projects.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:27 Oct 07, 2014
Jkt 235001
In addition to this notice, general
information about FSA’s administration
of FLP is also available on the FSA Web
site at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/
webapp?area=home&subject
=fmlp&topic=landing.
Signed on September 30, 2014.
Val Dolcini,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 2014–24050 Filed 10–7–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–05–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Foreign-Trade Zones Board
[B–71–2014]
Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 32—Miami,
Florida; Notification of Proposed
Production Activity; Brightstar
Corporation (Cell Phone Kitting);
Miami, Florida
Greater Miami Foreign-Trade Zone,
Inc., grantee of FTZ 32, submitted a
notification of proposed production
activity to the FTZ Board on behalf of
Brightstar Corporation (Brightstar),
located in Miami, Florida. The
notification conforming to the
requirements of the regulations of the
FTZ Board (15 CFR 400.22) was
received on October 1, 2014.
Brightstar already has authority to
produce cell phones and cell phone
accessories within Site 6 of FTZ 32. The
current request would add foreign status
materials/components to the scope of
authority. Pursuant to 15 CFR 400.14(b),
additional FTZ authority would be
limited to the specific foreign-status
materials/components and specific
finished products described in the
submitted notification (as described
below) and subsequently authorized by
the FTZ Board.
Production under FTZ procedures
could exempt Brightstar from customs
duty payments on the foreign status
materials/components used in export
production. On its domestic sales,
Brightstar would be able to choose the
duty rates during customs entry
procedures that apply to cell phones
(duty rate 0%) for the foreign status
materials/components noted below and
in the existing scope of authority.
Customs duties also could possibly be
deferred or reduced on foreign status
production equipment.
The materials/components sourced
from abroad include: Plastic bubble
wrap; plastic carrying cases; packaging
trays and inserts; plastic bags and sacks;
corrugated and non-corrugated paper
boxes; paper packaging trays and
inserts; paper labels; instruction
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
60807
manuals; nickel-cadmium batteries;
nickel-iron batteries; nickel-metal
batteries; lithium-ion batteries; lithiummetal batteries; cell phone parts; and,
memory cards (duty rate ranges from 0
to 6.5%).
Public comment is invited from
interested parties. Submissions shall be
addressed to the Board’s Executive
Secretary at the address below. The
closing period for their receipt is
November 17, 2014.
A copy of the notification will be
available for public inspection at the
Office of the Executive Secretary,
Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Room
21013, U.S. Department of Commerce,
1401 Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20230–0002, and in the
‘‘Reading Room’’ section of the Board’s
Web site, which is accessible via
www.trade.gov/ftz.
For further information, contact
Christopher Kemp at christopher.kemp@
trade.gov (202) 482–0862.
Dated: October 1, 2014.
Andrew McGilvray,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014–24088 Filed 10–7–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Industry and Security
In the Matter of: Ming Xie, a/k/a Michael
Xie, 16 Nathan Drive, Towaco, New
Jersey 07082, Respondent; Horizon RX
Systems, 16 Nathan Drive, Towaco,
New Jersey 07082, Related Person;
Order Denying Export Privileges
A. Denial of Export Privileges of Ming
Xie a/k/a Michael Xie
On May 22, 2013, in the U.S. District
Court for the District of New Jersey,
Ming Xie, a/k/a Michael Xie (‘‘Xie’’),
was convicted of violating Section 38 of
the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C.
2778 (2012)) (‘‘AECA’’) and the
International Emergency Economic
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701, et seq.
(2006 & Supp. IV 2010)) (‘‘IEEPA’’).
Specifically, Xie knowingly and
willfully exported and caused to be
exported from the United States power
amplifiers, defense articles of United
States origin, without first obtaining
from the U.S. Department of State a
license or other export authorization for
such export, in violation of the AECA.
Xie also knowingly and willfully
exported from the United States to the
People’s Republic of China power
amplifiers, items subject to the Export
Adminstration Regulations, without first
obtaining the required export license or
other authorization from the U.S.
E:\FR\FM\08OCN1.SGM
08OCN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 8, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60805-60807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-24050]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
Farm Loan Pilot Projects
AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will conduct pilot projects of
limited scope and duration to evaluate processes and techniques that
may improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Farm Loan Programs
(FLP) real estate loans (also referred to as ``farm ownership loans''),
operating loans, emergency loans, and administrative provisions, as
required by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill). This
notice provides an opportunity for the public to provide comments for
FSA to consider for pilot projects. FSA expects to conduct at least two
to three pilot projects.
DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by November 7, 2014.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. In your
comment, include volume, date, and page number of this issue of the
Federal Register. You may submit comments by any of the following
methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
Mail: Carrie L. Novak, Senior Loan Officer, LMD DAFLP FSA,
US Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0522,
Washington, DC 20250-0522.
Comments will be available for viewing online at https://www.regulations.gov. In addition, comments will be available for public
inspection at the above address during business hours from 8 a.m. to 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Novak; phone: (202) 720-1643.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for
communication of information for this notice (Braille, large print,
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600
(voice).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
FSA makes and services a variety of direct and guaranteed loans to
farmers who are temporarily unable to obtain private commercial credit.
FSA also provides direct loan customers with credit counseling and
supervision to enhance their opportunity for success. FSA loan
applicants are often beginning
[[Page 60806]]
farmers and socially disadvantaged farmers who do not qualify for
conventional loans because of insufficient net worth or established
farmers who have suffered financial setbacks due to natural disasters
or economic downturns. FSA loans are tailored to a customer's needs and
may be used to buy farmland and to finance agricultural production.
FSA makes direct and guaranteed operating and farm ownership loans
to eligible farmers and ranchers. Under its direct operating loan
program, FSA also makes loans to youths to establish and operate
income-producing projects of modest size in connection with their
participation in 4-H clubs, Future Farmers of America, and similar
organizations. Guaranteed loans are made through private lenders with a
guarantee of up to 95 percent of the loss of principal and interest.
Direct and guaranteed operating loans can be used to purchase
livestock, equipment, feed, seed, and other material essential to a
farm or ranch operation.
Direct and guaranteed farm ownership loan funds may be used to
purchase land, construct buildings, or make farm improvements.
Guaranteed operating and farm ownership loans may also be used to
refinance debt. FSA also provides assistance to beginning and socially
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers under its Direct Farm Ownership Down
Payment Loan Program, and provides retiring farmers the opportunity to
transfer their land to future generations of farmers and ranchers.
FSA also targets a portion of its direct and guaranteed operating
loan and farm ownership loan funds to beginning farmers and ranchers
and socially disadvantaged applicants.
Emergency loans are available to established farmers and ranchers
who have suffered losses as a result of a natural disaster or
quarantine.
FLP Pilot Projects
Section 5302 of the 2014 Farm Bill amends the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (also known as the CONACT) to provide the
Secretary authority to conduct pilot projects of limited scope and
duration to evaluate processes and techniques that may improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of real estate loans, operating loans,
emergency loans, and administrative provisions (7 U.S.C. 1983d).
Processes and techniques can be as specific as the manner in which
applications for assistance are submitted (for example, through
electronic submissions), or as broad as more effective methods of
outreach on programs for existing and potential customers.
FSA is constantly identifying ways to improve services and is
interested in hearing what kinds of pilots our customers, stakeholders,
and other members of the public want to see. FSA wants to hear how we
can better serve our customers and understand their needs. The
following are examples of initiatives that FSA has already taken to
improve efficiency and effectiveness for FLP.
One way that FSA has made improvements is by expanding credit
opportunities for farmers and ranchers with the Microloan Program. A
Microloan is a small direct farm operating loan with a shortened
application process and reduced paperwork. In addition, modifications
were made to the experience requirement to allow for mentors and
apprenticeships. This has already helped farmers.
FSA has recently released a recent package of technology
enhancements that include Web access for handheld and smartphone users,
as well as a more efficient and timely option for receiving news and
critical program information. The technology improvements will allow
users of FSA information to gain access to easy-to-read data, including
key features such as loan deficiency payment rates, posted county
prices, FSA news releases and AskFSA, the agency's online self-help
knowledge base.
A recently revised policy allows FSA to issue farm loan guarantees
to nontraditional lenders. A nontraditional lender is one that does not
typically hold deposit accounts and is not subject to oversight and
supervision. The most common nontraditional lenders are those who are
funded under the U.S. Department of Treasury's Community Development
Financial Institutions Fund. Nontraditional lenders can originate, hold
and service guaranteed loans. The goal is to improve and maintain the
quality of rural communities. This goal is accomplished by assisting
rural communities, individuals, groups, and support organizations with
viable rural development enterprises. FSA has worked with traditional
lenders in the past, but is now expanding to work with both traditional
and nontraditional lenders.
FSA is currently operating a pilot project in digital signatures.
The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (Pub. L.
106-229) ensures that a signature, contract, or other record relating
to such transaction may not be denied legal effect, validity, or
enforceability solely because it is in electronic form. It is an FSA
policy decision whether a certain electronic format is practicable for
a certain transaction.
This digital signature pilot will allow FSA to evaluate the use of
this available technology, potential cost and time savings, and
determine whether it is practical for FLP and Farm Programs (FP)
purposes. This will assist FSA to develop policy to not only allow the
use of digital signatures by FSA officials, but by producers, FLP
applicants, borrowers, and lenders as well. The pilot is to be
conducted in Indiana and Texas; digital signatures are only authorized
for certain FLP and FP documents.
FSA is requesting comments that will be used to develop
recommendations for pilot projects that will meet the intended goals to
evaluate processes and techniques that may improve the efficiency and
effectiveness of real estate loans, operating loans, emergency loans,
and administrative provisions. The pilot projects may diverge from
program regulations at 7 CFR parts 761 through 767, but the pilot
projects must be consistent with the existing statutory provisions
governing Real Estate Loans, Operating Loans, Emergency Loans, and
Administrative Provisions (see 7 U.S.C. Chapter 50, subchapters I
through IV for the details of these CONACT provisions). For example, a
suggestion could be for projects that provide financial and management
assistance to eligible family farmers for authorized loan purposes.
Additional information on FLP policies and procedures is available in
FSA handbooks 1-FLP through 6-FLP at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=lare&topic=hbk.
The following questions provide examples of loan making and
servicing concerns that may be helpful to consider for your comment:
How can FSA better reach and serve veterans, especially
returning veterans who plan to start or return to farming?
How can FSA encourage lending for urban agriculture?
What pricing models can be developed or expanded to assist
loan officers in lending to producers who sell traditional and
specialty agricultural products at non-traditional markets?
What types of borrower training systems can be explored to
provide long term economic benefits to agricultural producers?
Should FSA explore the use of credit scores for small,
streamlined loan applications?
Are there alternative lenders and financers (grocery
chains, implement
[[Page 60807]]
and feed dealers, community development organizations) that could
partner and improve service to joint customers as well as strengthen
their own business needs?
What type of consulting service could be developed to
assist existing borrowers to be more productive and successful?
How can the role of a mentor be expanded beyond
microloans?
What are other methods that an applicant can successfully
prove experience and managerial ability?
In your comment it will be most helpful to:
Explain the proposed pilot project in as much detail as
possible, including the issue or concern to be addressed and the
intended benefit(s);
Provide specific examples to illustrate your points;
Describe whether the project is intended to benefit any
particular region, type of agricultural producer (organic, direct
market, wholesale, etc.), or end customer; and
Outline any potential costs or costs savings and the basis
for the assumptions.
At the conclusion of the comment period, FSA staff will review and
consider all of the suggestions in the comments.
As required by the 2014 Farm Bill, at least 60 days before
initiating a pilot project, the Secretary will submit notice of the
proposed pilot project to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate. FSA will also consider any feedback provided to
the Secretary in response to that notice.
FSA expects to select at least two to three pilot projects. FSA
will announce the pilot projects through news release.
FSA expects that one of the results of the pilot project will help
expand service to underserved producers. For example, in remote areas,
such as Indian Country, distance and travel time make it extremely
difficult to establish the network of contacts essential for effective
outreach and to provide technical assistance. FSA lacks the necessary
knowledge and staff resources to overcome language and cultural
barriers for some minority communities and provide effective outreach
and technical assistance. In such situations, partnerships with local
organizations could use existing networks and expertise to provide
effective outreach and technical assistance and expand participation.
This is one example of how FSA may carry out some pilot projects.
In addition to this notice, general information about FSA's
administration of FLP is also available on the FSA Web site at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=fmlp&topic=landing.
Signed on September 30, 2014.
Val Dolcini,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 2014-24050 Filed 10-7-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P
