83 FR 25640 - Request for Applications for Veteran Farmer Streamlined Eligibility Pilot Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 107 (June 4, 2018)

Page Range		25640-25642
FR Document		2018-11873

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is announcing the opportunity for interested veterans to apply for a new pilot program, Veteran Farmer Streamlined Eligibility Pilot Program (``Pilot Program''), which will assist veterans in meeting the management experience requirements at a faster pace for either a Microloan or Downpayment Loan through the Farm Ownership Loan (FO) Program. As set forth in a cooperative agreement between FSA and Texas A&M University, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension program employees will expand their existing veterans training program, ``Battleground to Breaking Ground,'' to incorporate the requirements of the Pilot Program through a cooperative agreement with FSA. FSA will be involved in helping develop and review curriculum, review applications, participate in orientation, and monitor participants' progress throughout the Pilot Program. The purpose of the Pilot Program is to provide an educational opportunity for veterans so that they can obtain agricultural production, financial, and managerial training at an accelerated pace that will then result in the veteran to be considered conditionally eligible for either a Microloan or Downpayment Loan through the FO Program.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 107 (Monday, June 4, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 107 (Monday, June 4, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25640-25642]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11873]


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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 107 / Monday, June 4, 2018 / 
Notices

[[Page 25640]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Request for Applications for Veteran Farmer Streamlined 
Eligibility Pilot Program

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is announcing the opportunity 
for interested veterans to apply for a new pilot program, Veteran 
Farmer Streamlined Eligibility Pilot Program (``Pilot Program''), which 
will assist veterans in meeting the management experience requirements 
at a faster pace for either a Microloan or Downpayment Loan through the 
Farm Ownership Loan (FO) Program. As set forth in a cooperative 
agreement between FSA and Texas A&M University, Texas A&M AgriLife 
Extension program employees will expand their existing veterans 
training program, ``Battleground to Breaking Ground,'' to incorporate 
the requirements of the Pilot Program through a cooperative agreement 
with FSA. FSA will be involved in helping develop and review 
curriculum, review applications, participate in orientation, and 
monitor participants' progress throughout the Pilot Program. The 
purpose of the Pilot Program is to provide an educational opportunity 
for veterans so that they can obtain agricultural production, 
financial, and managerial training at an accelerated pace that will 
then result in the veteran to be considered conditionally eligible for 
either a Microloan or Downpayment Loan through the FO Program.

DATES: The application period will open on June 15, 2018, and close on 
July 20, 2018 no later than 11 p.m. CST.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Kimbrough, Texas A&M AgriLife 
Extension program, 979-847-6185, [email protected] or Russ 
Clanton, FSA, 202-690-0214, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    FSA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and 
its farm loan programs are authorized by the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act of 1972, as amended (CONACT, Pub. L. 92-419). 
Farmers or ranchers may be able to get a loan or loan guarantee through 
FSA's Farm Loan Programs (FLP) if they are unable to obtain credit 
elsewhere to start, purchase, sustain, or expand a farm. Unlike loans 
from a commercial lender, FSA loans are temporary in nature with the 
goal of graduating loans to commercial credit. Direct loans through the 
FO Program are used to purchase or enlarge a farm or ranch, construct a 
new or improve existing farm or ranch buildings, and for soil and water 
conservation and protection purposes. Downpayment loans and Microloans 
are types of loans available through the FO Program. Microloans are 
limited to $50,000.00. See definition of Microloan in 7 CFR 761.2.
    Currently, in order to be eligible for either Microloans or 
Downpayment Loan through the FO Program, the applicant must have 
participated in the business operations of a farm for at least 3 years 
out of the 10 years prior to the date the application is submitted. In 
addition, section 302(b)(1) of the CONACT (7 U.S.C. 1922) provides the 
Secretary with the flexibility to determine ``other acceptable 
experience for a period of time.'' For example, FSA currently allows 1 
of the 3 years to be substituted with leadership or management 
experience while serving in any branch of the military (see 7 CFR 
764.152(d)(3)). For the Pilot Program, FSA is building on the CONACT's 
flexibility in order to allow veterans to qualify for FSA's managerial 
experience in a quicker timeframe.
    Section 333D of the CONACT (7 U.S.C. 1983d) provides FSA with the 
authority to conduct a pilot program in order to evaluate its current 
processes in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the 
farm loan programs. The Congressional Directives in the explanatory 
statement for the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 (Division 
A, Pub. L. 115-31) directs FSA to support a certified training program 
for veteran farmers to be prequalified for direct FOs (see page H3331 
(https://www.congress.gov/crec/2017/05/03/CREC-2017-05-03-bk2.pdf).
    The purpose of this Pilot Program is to provide an educational 
opportunity to veteran farmers so that they can obtain production, 
financial, and managerial training and other required experiences as 
specified in 7 CFR 764.101 and 764.152 to potentially qualify for 
either a Microloan or Downpayment Loan through the FO Program in 12-18 
months rather than the current timeline of 2 years. FSA's goal through 
the use of the Pilot Program is that there will be a better educated 
applicant, better customer service for the applicant and the seller of 
the farm, more efficient loan approval process for the loan officer and 
a more successful farm borrower. The agency will review the outcome of 
the Pilot Program to determine if this is a cost effective approach 
that leads to greater borrower success. A successful Pilot Program may 
lead to a broader use of this approach with other universities or with 
other applicants.
    FSA strongly encourages American Veterans who are seeking a career 
in agriculture to apply to for the Pilot Program. The most challenging 
barriers for new or beginning farmer or ranchers, including veterans 
who desire to enter into agriculture businesses, are access to both 
land and capital. Access to capital is not limited to the availability 
of credit, but also to the ability of an applicant to meet the 
eligibility requirements for either a Microloan or Downpayment Loan 
through the FO Program. This includes having the requisite managerial 
experience and ability to develop and present a viable business plan. 
By offering specific agricultural production and financial training, as 
well as hands on mentoring in the veteran's chosen area of agriculture, 
a conditional loan eligibility will be earned upon on the completion of 
the Pilot Program.
    FSA has found that veterans are very interested in starting a 
farming or ranching business, which led to developing the Pilot 
Program. Specifically, in response to the request for comments about 
farm loan pilot projects after the 2014 Farm Bill (79 FR 60805-60807, 
October 8, 2014), two of

[[Page 25641]]

the comments that FSA received focused specifically on helping 
veterans. One of those comments specifically recommended a pilot 
training program.
    Texas A&M AgriLife Extension program is already operating under the 
heading ``Battleground to Breaking Ground.'' FSA's Pilot Program 
expands on the existing program curriculum to prepare veterans for 
financing from FSA. The Pilot Program will be a combination of written 
course work offered online, an individual education plan that includes 
hands on agricultural production workshops, and mentorships. Upon 
conclusion of the course, a veteran will meet the business operation 
requirement as specified in 7 CFR 764.101 and 764.152 for eligibility 
up to 1 year sooner and will be considered conditionally eligible for 
either a Microloan or Downpayment Loan through FO Program.

Eligibility Information

    The applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements and 
will self-certify to the following when applying online for Texas A&M's 
Battleground to Breaking Ground program and provide additional 
documentation where specified below:
    1. The applicant is a veteran. After being selected for the Pilot 
Program, applicants will need certain documentation such as DD Form 
214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other 
military ID to verify veteran status to participate in the Pilot 
Program and to apply for either a Microloan or Downpayment Loan through 
the FO Program;
    2. The applicant meets all FSA farm loan program eligibility 
requirements under 7 CFR 764.101 and 764.152, except the farm 
experience requirement which will be expedited by the Pilot Program;
    3. The applicant is not ineligible for Federal benefits based on a 
conviction of any Federal or State controlled substance offense (see 7 
CFR 764.101(a));
    4. The applicant is of legal age, and has mental capacity and 
authority to enter into a legally binding agreement (see 7 CFR 
764.101(b));
    5. The applicant meets citizenship requirements (see 7 CFR 
764.101(c));
    6. The applicant provides a credit report from one of the three 
main credit reporting agencies at the time of orientation to the Pilot 
Program. If a history of failures to repay past debts as they came due 
was out of the control of the applicant, the applicant may wish to 
submit a written description of the circumstances for the consideration 
of the committee. Lack of credit history or isolated incidents of 
delinquent payments is not considered poor credit. Credit scores are 
not used to make a determination of credit worthiness (see 7 CFR 
764.101(d));
    7. The applicant has properly fulfilled prior obligations to other 
parties, including other agencies of the Federal Government (see 7 CFR 
764.101(d)(2));
    8. The applicant is unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere to 
finance actual needs at reasonable rates and terms. When the loan 
application is filed, FSA will evaluate the ability to obtain credit 
based on factors including, but not limited to:
    a. Loan amounts, rates, and terms available in the marketplace; and
    b. Property interests, income, and significant non-essential assets 
(see 7 CFR 764.101(e));
    9. The applicant meets the unpaid Federal judgement and delinquent 
Federal debt requirements in 7 CFR 764.101(f) and (g);
    10. The applicant meets the Federal Crop Insurance Violations 
requirements in 7 CFR 764.101(h); and
    11. The applicant meets the prior debt forgiveness requirements in 
7 CFR 764.152(b).

Application and Submission Information

    Each veteran must complete an electronic application for the 
Battleground to Breaking Ground Program through Texas A&M's website, 
http://txagrability.tamu.edu/. In addition, in order to participate in 
the Pilot Program, the applicant must self-certify to the eligibility 
requirements discussed above and provided at the Texas A&M website. The 
application period will open June 15, 2018, and close on July 20, 2018 
no later than 11 p.m. CST. No applications will be accepted after the 
due date.

Application Review Information

    Texas A&M AgriLife Extension program employees will score and rank 
the ``Battlefield to Breaking Ground'' applications using the Texas A&M 
AgriLife Extension program matrix. FSA will look at the top ranked 
applicants from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension program scoring and 
will select, in order of ranking, the top 15 to 18 applications. FSA 
will then confirm eligibility on the selected applications for 
participation in the Pilot Program. In the case of a tied score for the 
Pilot Program selection, FSA will review the applicant's narrative 
addressing the applicant's readiness to farm to make a selection. The 
readiness to farm question is part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension 
program application. Applicants not selected for the Pilot Program due 
to FSA's loan eligibility criteria will still have the option to 
participate in the ``Battleground to Breaking Ground'' program at the 
discretion of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension program. Texas A&M AgriLife 
Extension program will notify all applicants by email.
    Applicants will not be considered a participant in the Pilot 
Program until after they have signed an expectation agreement supplied 
by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension program as part of its existing 
veterans ``Battleground to Breaking Ground'' program. The expectation 
agreement specifies the requirements for completion of the 
``Battleground to Breaking Ground'' program.

Program Completion

    Successful completion of the Pilot Program will result in the 
veteran receiving a certificate from FSA as well as a developed 
business plan. Successful completion will also result in the veteran 
being conditionally eligible for either a Microloan or Downpayment Loan 
through the FO Program. The veteran should apply for the loan within 2 
years of successfully completing the Pilot Program, unless the business 
plan is based on a later start date.
    Participants who do not complete the Pilot Program may not be 
considered conditionally eligible for either a Microloan or Downpayment 
Loan through the FO Program.

Other Provisions

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its 
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family or parental status, income derived from a public 
assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for 
prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or 
funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and 
complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication should contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720-2600 
(voice). Additionally, program information may be made available in 
languages other than English.

[[Page 25642]]

    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer, and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA 
and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. 
To request a copy of the complaint form, you may call (866) 632-9992. 
You may submit your completed form or letter to any of the following 
options:
     Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-9410;
     Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
     Email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Richard Fordyce,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 2018-11873 Filed 6-1-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-05-P

25642 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 107 / Monday, June 4, 2018 / Notices

To file a program discrimination Abstract: This subpart set forth the techniques or other forms of information
complaint, complete the USDA Program policies and procedures and delegates technology.
Discrimination Complaint Form, AD– authority for providing technical Comments may be sent to Jeanne
3027, found online at https:// assistance funds to eligible applicants to Jacobs, Regulations and Paperwork
www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program- finance programs of technical and Management Branch, Support Services
discrimination-complaint-usda- supervisory assistance for self-help Division, U.S. Department of
customer, and at any USDA office or housing loan program, as authorized Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP
write a letter addressed to USDA and under section 523 of the Housing Act of 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW,
provide in the letter all of the 1949 under 42 U.S.C. 1472. This Washington, DC 20250.
information requested in the form. To financial assistance may pay part or all All responses to this notice will be
request a copy of the complaint form, of the cost of developing, administering summarized and included in the request
you may call (866) 632–9992. You may or coordinating program of technical for OMB approval. All comments will
submit your completed form or letter to and supervisory assistance to aid very become a matter of public record.
any of the following options: low- and low-income families in Dated: May 23, 2018.
• Mail: U.S. Department of carrying out self-help housing efforts in Joel C. Baxley,
Agriculture, Office of the Assistant rural areas. The primary purpose is to Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 locate and work with families that [FR Doc. 2018–11867 Filed 6–1–18; 8:45 am]
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, otherwise do not qualify as
BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P
DC 20250–9410; homeowners, are below the 50 percent
• Fax: (202) 690–7442; or of median incomes, and living in
• Email: program.intake@usda.gov. substandard housing.
USDA is an equal opportunity RHS will be collecting information BROADCASTING BOARD OF
provider, employer, and lender. from non-profit organizations to enter GOVERNORS
Richard Fordyce, into grant agreements. These non-profit Government in the Sunshine Act
Administrator, Farm Service Agency. organizations will give technical and Meeting Notice
[FR Doc. 2018–11873 Filed 6–1–18; 8:45 am]
supervisory assistance, and in doing so,
they must develop a final application DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, June 6,
BILLING CODE 3410–05–P
for section 523 grant funds. This 2018, 12:30 p.m. ET.
application includes Agency forms that PLACE: Cohen Building, Room 3321, 330
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE contain essential information for making Independence Ave. SW, Washington,
a determination of eligibility. DC 20237.
Rural Housing Service Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
SUBJECT: Notice of Meeting of the
burden for this collection of information
Broadcasting Board of Governors.
Notice of Request for Revision of a is estimated to average .95 hours per
Currently Approved Information SUMMARY: The Broadcasting Board of
response.
Collection Respondents: Public or private Governors (Board) will be meeting at the
nonprofit organizations, State, Local or time and location listed above. The
AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA. Board will vote on a consent agenda
Tribal Governments.
ACTION: Proposed collection; comments Estimated Number of Respondents: consisting of the minutes of its March
requested. 130. 14, 2018 meeting, a resolution honoring
Estimated Number of Responses per the the 65th anniversary of Radio Free
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL)
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this Respondent: 24.77.
Estimated Number of Responses: Armenian Service—Azatutyun
notice announces the Rural Housing Radiokayan, a resolution honoring the
3,220.
Service’s (RHS) intention to request a Estimated Total Annual Burden on 65th anniversary of RFE/RL’s Georgian
revision for a currently approved Respondents: 3,058. Service—Radio Tavisupleba, a
information collection in support of the Copies of this information collection resolution honoring the 65th
program for Self-Help Technical can be obtained from Jeanne Jacobs, Anniversary of RFE/RL’s Kazakh
Assistance Grants. Regulations and Paperwork Service—Radio Azattyq, a resolution
DATES: Comments on this notice must be Management Branch, Support Services honoring the 65th anniversary of RFE/
received by August 3, 2018 to be Division at (202) 692–0040. RL’s Kyrgyz Service—Radio Azattyk, a
assured of consideration. Comments: Comments are invited on: resolution honoring the 65th
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (a) Whether the proposed collection of anniversary of RFE/RL’s Tajik Service—
Andrea Birmingham, Finance and Loan information is necessary for the proper Radio Ozodi, and a resolution honoring
Analyst, Single Family Housing Direct performance of the functions of the the 65th anniversary of RFE/RL’s Uzbek
Loan Division, RHS, U.S. Department of RHS, including whether the information Service—Radio Ozodlik. The Board will
Agriculture, Stop 0783, 1400 will have practical utility; (b) the receive a report from the Chief
Independence Ave. SW, Washington, accuracy of RHS’s estimate of the Executive Officer and Director of BBG.
DC 20250–0783, Telephone (202) 720– burden of the proposed collection of This meeting will be available for
1489. information including the validity of the public observation via streamed
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: methodology and assumptions used; (c) webcast, both live and on-demand, on
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

Title: 7 CFR 1944–I, Self-Help the agency’s public website at
Technical Assistance Grants. clarity of the information to be www.bbg.gov. Information regarding this
OMB Number: 0575–0043. collected; and (d) ways to minimize the meeting, including any updates or
Expiration Date of Approval: October burden of the collection of information adjustments to its starting time, can also
31, 2018. on those who are to respond, including be found on the agency’s public website.
Type of Request: Extension of through the use of appropriate The public may also attend this
currently approved information automated, electronic, mechanical, or meeting in person at the address listed
collection. other technological collection above as seating capacity permits.

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Document Created: 2018-06-02 00:47:27
Document Modified: 2018-06-02 00:47:27

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice and request for applications.
Dates		The application period will open on June 15, 2018, and close on July 20, 2018 no later than 11 p.m. CST.
Contact		Erin Kimbrough, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension program, 979-847-6185, [email protected] or Russ Clanton, FSA, 202-690-0214, [email protected]
FR Citation		83 FR 25640

83 FR 25640 - Request for Applications for Veteran Farmer Streamlined Eligibility Pilot Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREFarm Service Agency

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 107 (June 4, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency