ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE 10.250 AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL ECONOMIC RESEARCH FEDERAL AGENCY: ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627; and 7 U.S.C. 1761, Reorganization Plan No. 2, Memorandum No. 1446, February 1961. OBJECTIVES: To conduct research and disseminate information on the economic factors affecting commercial agriculture and rural community life. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Dissemination of Technical Information. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Staff scientists undertake research on national or regional problems. Indirectly, individuals, organizations, and communities may find the research results relevant to their specific problems. The Agency does not initiate research projects for which the results would prove useful only to the individual, organization, or community requesting the research. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: Any individual or organization is eligible to receive the research publications. Beneficiary Eligibility: Same as applicant eligibility. Credentials/Documentation: Not applicable. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: Not applicable. Application Procedure: Requests for research publications of the Economic Research Service should be sent in writing to Division of Information, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Award Procedure: Not applicable. Deadlines: Not applicable. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Not applicable. Formula and Matching Requirements: Not applicable. Account Identification: 05-36-1700-0-1-352. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Not applicable. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The Economic Research Service has about 250 active projects. Approximately 500 publications or papers authored by the ERS staff but published by others, are issued annually. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: ERS-368 (annual listing of publications issued by ERS), no charge. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: None. Headquarters Office: Administrator, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 500 12th Street, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 447-8104. RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.001, Agricultural Research-Basic and Applied Research; 10.153, Market News; 10.200, Grants for Scientific Research; 10.700, National Agricultural Library Service; 10.950, Agricultural Statistical Reports. FARMER COOPERATIVE SERVICE 10.350 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO COOPERATIVES FEDERAL AGENCY: FARMER COOPERATIVE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Agricultural Marketing Act of 1926; 7 U.S.C. 451-457; Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946; 7 U.S.C. 16211627. OBJECTIVES: To improve farm income and rural living. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Advisory Services and Counseling; Dissemination of Technical Information. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Provides technical assistance, research, and counseling services to rural and farmer cooperatives, and to groups of farmers and other rural residents interested in forming cooperatives. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: Rural and farmer cooperatives, and groups of farmers and other rural residents interested in forming cooperatives. Beneficiary Eligibility: Same as applicant eligibility. Credentials/Documentation: Requests for technical assistance by a cooperative should be a resolution from a cooperative board of directors. Requests for assistance in forming a co-op should be made in writing on behalf of producers or rural residents interested in forming a cooperative. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: None. Application Procedure: Letter to the Administrator's office listed below. Award Procedure: FCS responds to each request. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Requests are usually acted upon within 15 to 30 days. Appeals: Not applicable. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: Not applicable. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Technical assistance projects range from a single work-day to one-half a work-year. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: Reports: None. Audits: None. Records: None. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Account Identification: 05-48-0400-0-1-352. Obligations: (Salaries and expenses) FY 74 $2,208,811; FY 75 est $2,428,000; and FY 76 est $2,493,000. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Not applicable. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In fiscal year 1974, FCS provided technical assistance to 535 rural cooperatives and rural groups interested in organizing cooperatives. An estimated 920,000 rural people were assisted by this program. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: List of publications- FCS Information 4. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: Not applicable. Headquarters Office: Administrator, Farmer Cooperative Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 447-8870. RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.408, Grazing Association Loans; 59.013, State and Local Development Company Loans. FARMERS HOME ADMINISTRATION 10.404 EMERGENCY LOANS FEDERAL AGENCY: FARMERS HOME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Consolidated Farm And Rural Development Act, Subtitle C, Sections 321-328; Public Law 92-419; (7 U.S.C. 1961 through 1968); and amended by Public Law 93-237. OBJECTIVES: To assist farmers, ranchers and oyster planters to cover losses resulting from designated disasters so that they may continue farming or livestock operations with credit from other sources, including FmHA Farm Operating and Farm ownership Loans. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Guaranteed/Insured Loans. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: (a) Replace equipment and livestock damaged or destroyed by natural disasters, (b) make real estate repairs made necessary by natural disasters, and (c) under certain conditions refinance secured and unsecured debts made necessary by the disasters. These loans are not made to finance new farming, ranching, or oyster planting operations. Instead, the loan is made to cover expenses that went into damaged or destroyed crops up to the time of the disaster. The total amount of loan for all purposes must not exceed the dollar losses sustained and has to be within the applicant's repayment ability and must meet FmHA security requirements. For losses of a physical nature, emergency loans will be based on the cost of repairing, replacing, and restoring damaged farm property, including essential home furnishings and personal possessions. Applicants may be reimbursed for expenses already incurred for such purposes. Loans that are based on qualifying production losses may include funds to repay applicants for production expenses which went into their damaged or destroyed crop and livestock enterprises. In all cases, applicants will be required to furnnish itemized statements of expenditures for which they are requesting reimbursement. These loans are made in counties (1) named by the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration as eligible for Federal Assistance under a Presidential declaration of a major disaster and (2) designated as emergency loan areas by the Secretary of Agriculture and (3) authorized by the FmHA State Director where he finds that not more than 25 farmers or ranchers in a county have been affected by the disaster. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: (a) Established farmer or rancher, (either tenant or owner-operated), (b) citizen of United States, (c) severe crop losses or property damage caused by a natural disaster, not compensated for by insurance or otherwise, (d) good character and with necessary ability to succeed, (e) manages his farming or ranching operations. Applicants who cannot meet these requirements are not eligible. Beneficiary Eligibility: Same as applicant eligibility. Credentials/Documentation: Applicant must establish that he has had severe property damage or crop losses caused by a designated disaster. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: None. Application Procedure: Application form provided by the Farmers Home Administration must be presented to the FmHA county office servicing the applicant's county. FmHA personnel assist applicants in completing application form. Award Procedure: FmHA County Supervisors, District Directors, and State Directors are authorized to approve these loans, subject to certain administrative requirements, after applicants are determined eligible by County or Area Committees. Deadlines: Deadline for application for initial loans is expiration date of the area designation. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Approximately two to four weeks. Appeals: Applicant's request for reconsideration by County Committee is granted. Applicant may meet with the County Committee to present facts concerning his situation, needs, and potential. An applicant may also ask the FmHA State Director and Administrator to review handling of his application. Renewals: None. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: None. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: This varies in accordance with needs in individual cases. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: Reports: Borrowers are required to account for all security property. Audits: This varies in individual cases none in most cases. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Account Identification: 05-75-4140-0-3-351. Obligations: (Loans) FY 74 $128,336,768; FY 75 est $400,000,000; and FY 76 est $100,000,000. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $3,000 to $50,000; $11,000. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In fiscal year 1974, 22,434 loans for $128,336,768 were made. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: (1) Farmers Home Administration Fact Sheet - "Emergency Loans for Farmers and Ranchers," and (2) USDA Pamphlet - "This is FHA" (PA 973). INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: Consult your local telephone directory for FmHA county office number. If no listing, get in touch with appropriate FmHA State office listed in the appendix. Headquarters Office: Administrator, Farmers Home Administration, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC Telephone: (202) 447-7967. RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.054, Emergency Conservation Measures; 59.002, Economic Injury Disaster Loans. 10.405 FARM LABOR HOUSING LOANS AND GRANTS (Labor Housing) FEDERAL AGENCY: FARMERS HOME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Housing Act of 1949 as amended; Sections 514 and 516; Public Laws 89-117 and 89-754; 42 U.S.C. 1484 and 1486. OBJECTIVES: To provide decent, safe and sanitary low-rent housing and related facilities for domestic farm laborers. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Project Grants; Guaranteed/Insured Loans. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: The loans and grants may be used for: construction, repair, or purchase of housing; acquiring the necessary land and making improvements on the land for the housing; and developing related facilities including recreation areas, central cooking and dining facilities, small infirmaries, laundry facilities, fallout shelters, and other essential equipment and facilities. Restrictions on the use of funds are that: the housing must be of a practical type and must be constructed in an economical manner and not of elaborate or extravagant design or material; loan and grant funds and any furnished by the applicant must be placed in a supervised bank account. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: Loans are available to farmers and associations of farmers. States, political subdivisions of states, broad-based nonprofit organizations, and nonprofit corporations of farm workers may qualify for both loans and grants. Grants are available when there is a pressing need and when there is a reasonable doubt that such facilities could be provided without grant assistance. Beneficiary Eligibility: Domestic farm laborers. A domestic farm laborer is a person who receives a substantial portion of his income as a laborer on a farm in the United States and either (1) is a citizen of the United States, or (2) resides in the United States after being legally admitted for permanent residence. Those eligible include the families of such persons. Credentials/Documentation: The applicant must furnish factual evidence of the following: (a) the number of domestic farm laborers currently being used in the area, (b) the kind of labor performed, (c) the future need for domestic farm labor in the area, (d) the kind, condition, and adequacy of housing presently used for such labor, (e) ownership of presently occupied housing, and (f) ability of worker to pay necessary rent. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: Applications should be reviewed under procedures in Part I of OMB Circular No. A-95 (revised). Application Procedure: Made in the form of a letter to the County Office of the Farmers Home Administration fully documenting the need for the loan or grant and the proposed amount needed. Attachments relating to the size of proposed project, estimated cost, budget and need are also required. Award Procedure: After application has been reviewed by the County Supervisor, it is given final approval, depending on the size of the application, by the County Supervisor or the State Director. The State Director will determine the amount of assistance after first determining if all other sources of funding have been explored. Prior review and concurrence by the National Office is required for certain application. Following approval, payment authorization is forwarded to the National Finance Office which issues the check. Notification of grant award must be made to the designated State Central Information Reception Agency and the Department of the Treasury on SF 240. Deadlines: None. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: 90 to 270 days from the time discussion begins. Appeals: Applicant may request reconsideration at the local, State or National Office level on the basis of pertinent facts concerning his application. Renewals: Not applicable. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: In case of a grant, ten percent or more of the total development cost must be obtained from other sources. This may include funds made available through the power to levy taxes, assessments or charges or from other credit sources including an FmHA labor housing loan under Section 514. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Loans are usually made for 33 years or useful life of security, whichever is less. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: Reports: During the first year of operation, monthly progress reports are to be made to the FmHA county supervisor. Sometime after the first four months, but before the ninth month of operation, the FmHA district director will review and report on the project. Audits: Required annually. Conducted by Certified Public Accountant selected by the borrower. Records: Adequate operating records must be maintained by bor rower. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Account Identification: Grants: 05-75-2004-0-1-401; Loans: 05-75 4141-0-3-401. Obligations: (Loans) FY 74 $10,000,000; FY 75 est $10,000,000; and FY 76 No program is planned. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Initial Grants $22,750 to $1,760,000; $988,642. Initial Loans to Individuals $3,000 to $20,000; $28,477. Initial Loans to organizations $183,050 to $1,760,000; $159,544. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: During fiscal year 1975, an estimated 67 loans, providing 1,500 units, will be made. No program is planned for fiscal year 1976. During fiscal year 1975, an estimated five grants, providing 800 units, will be made. No program is planned for fiscal year 1976. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: FmHA Instruction 444.4, "Farm Labor Housing Loan Policies, Procedures and Authorizations," and FmHA Instruction 444.6 "Farm Labor Housing Grant Policies, Procedures and Authorizations;" (PA521) (No charge); 7 CFR 1822.202-1822.221. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: Interested persons should contact the county Farmers Home Administration Office. If no listing, get in touch with appropriate FmHA State Office listed in the appendix. Headquarters Office: Administrator, Farmers Home Administration, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone. (202) 447-7967. RELATED PROGRAMS: 14.103, Interest Reduction Payments Rental and Cooperative Housing for Lower Income Families; 10.410, Low to Moderate Income Housing Loan; 10.415, Rural Rental Housing Loans. 10.406 FARM OPERATING LOANS FEDERAL AGENCY: FARMERS HOME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Title I of the Rural Development Act, Public Law 92-419; 7 U.S.C. 1942 and Title III of the Agricultural Act of 1961, Public Law 87-128. OBJECTIVES: To enable operators of not larger than family farms, through the extension of credit and supervisory assistance, to make efficient use of their land, labor, and other resources. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Guaranteed/Insured Loans. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Loan funds may be used to: (1) purchase livestock, poultry, fur bearing and other farm animals, fish, and bees; (2) purchase farm, forestry, recreation, or nonfarm enterprise equipment; (3) provide operating expenses for farm, forestry, recreation, or nonfarm enterprise; (4) meet family subsistence needs and purchase essential home equipment; (5) make minor real estate improvements; (6) refinance secured and unsecured debts; (7) pay property taxes; (8) pay insurance premiums on real estate and personal property; (9) finance youth projects; and (10) other miscellaneous purposes. Use restrictions are shown under applicant eligibility. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: Must: (a) have a farm background and the experience or training needed to be successful in the proposed operation; (b) be a U.S. citizen of legal age; (c) be unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere on reasonable terms; (d) possess the character, industry, and ability to carry out the proposed operation; (e) after the loan is made conduct not larger than a family farming operation as an owner or tenant; (f) if a youth, conduct a project in connection with participation in 4-H, Future Farmer or similar organization activities. Beneficiary Eligibility: Not applicable. Credentials/Documentation: Applicant must establish that credit is not available elsewhere for the requested purposes. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: None. Application Procedure: Applicant files Form FmHA 410-1, Application for FmHA Services, at the local county office of the Farmers Home Administration. Award Procedure: Certification as to eligibility is made by a local county or area committee of three persons. Deadlines: None. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Applications are considered by the county committee within 30 days from date of application. Appeals: Request for reconsideration is granted by county committee. Applicant may meet with county committee to present facts concerning his situation, needs, and potential. Applicant may also ask the FmHA State Director and Administrator to review handling of his application. Renewals: Applicants may reapply at any time. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: Not applicable. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Loans are scheduled for repayment over periods up to seven years with renewals up to five years when justified. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: Audits: Not applicable. Records: Records on production, income, expenses during the period of the loan. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Account Identification: 05-75-4140-0-3-351. Obligations: (Loans) FY 74 $524,993,821; FY 75 est $525,000,000; and FY 76 est $525,000,000. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $100 to $50,000; $9,747. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In fiscal year 1974, 53,865 loans were made, totaling $524.9 million. Approximately 79,000 loans are outstanding. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: "Farm Operating Loans," PA-1010; “Nonfarm Enterprises," PA-1010; "This Is FmHA," PA-973. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: Consult your local telephone directory for FmHA county office number. If no listing get in touch with appropriate FmHA State office listed in the appendix. Headquarters Office: Administrator, Farmers Home Administration, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 447-7967. RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.407, Farm Ownership Loans; 64.112, Veterans Farm Loans. 10.407 FARM OWNERSHIP LOANS FEDERAL AGENCY: FARMERS HOME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 302; Public Law 92-419; 7 U.S.C. 1922. OBJECTIVES: To assist eligible farmers and ranchers, through the extension of credit and supervisory assistance, to become owneroperators of not larger than family farms; to make efficient use of the land, labor, and other resources; to carry on sound and successful operations on the farm, and afford the family an opportunity to have a reasonable standard of living. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Guaranteed/Insured Loans. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: (1) Enlarge, improve, and buy family farms; (2) refinance debts so as to place the farming operation on a sound basis; (3) provide necessary water and water facilities; (4) provide basic soil treatment and land conservation measures; (5) construct, repair, and improve buildings needed in the operation of a family farm; (6) construct or repair farmhouses; (7) improve, establish, or buy a farm-forest enterprise; (8) produce fish under controlled conditions; (9) finance nonfarm enterprises, including recreation on all or part of the farm; (10) buy and develop land to be used for forestry purposes. Use restrictions are shown under applicant eligibility. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: An applicant must: (1) be unable to obtain adequate credit from other sources at reasonable terms; (2) be a U. S. citizen of legal age; (3) be of good character; (4) have the necessary experience, training, and managerial ability to operate a family farm or a nonfarm enterprise; (5) agree to refinance the balance due on his loan as soon as he is able to obtain adequate credit at reasonable terms from another lender; (6) have an indebtedness to FHA of no more than $100,000 and a total indebtedness of no more than $225,000. Beneficiary Eligibility: Same as applicant eligibility. Credentials/Documentation: Applicant must establish that credit is not available elsewhere for the requested purpose. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: None. Application Procedure: Applicant files Form FmHA 410-1, Application for FmHA Services, at the local county office of the Farmers Home Administration. Award Procedure: Certification as to eligibility is made by a local county committee of three persons. Deadlines: None. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Applications are considered by the county committee within 30 days from date of application. Appeals: Applicant may request reconsideration and meet with the county committee to present facts concerning his needs and potential. If the applicant is not satisfied with the committee's action and the county supervisor's explanation, he is invited to write to the State Director and request a review of his application. The State Director in each such case informs the applicant that he may, if he wishes, write to the Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration, Washington, DC. Renewals: Applicants may reapply at any time. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: Not applicable. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Loans are scheduled for repayment over periods up to 40 years. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Account Identification: 05-75-4140-0-3-351. Obligations: (Loans) FY 74 $352,161,430; FY 75 est $350,000,000; and FY 76 est $350,000,000. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $18,830 to $100,000; $29,354. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: During fiscal year 1974, 11,997 insured guaranteed loans were processed totaling $352,161,430. and REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Subtitle A-Real Estate Loans, (Section 302) 7 U.S.C. 1922, (Section 303) 7 U.S.C. 1923, (Section 305) 7 U.S.C. 1925. "Farm Ownership Loans," PA 62, Farmers Home Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: Consult your local telephone directory for FmHA county office number. If no listing get in touch with appropriate FmHA State office listed in the appendix. Headquarters Office: Administrator, Farmers Home Administration, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 447-7967. RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.406, Farm Operating Loans; 14.143, Property Improvement Loan Insurance-Construction of Nonresidential Farm Structures. 10.408 GRAZING ASSOCIATION LOANS FEDERAL AGENCY: FARMERS HOME ADMINISTRATION, DE- OBJECTIVES: To increase the income of farm families and those who reside in rural areas and to readjust the use of land so that each acre is used for a purpose which will better serve the community. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Guaranteed/Insured Loans. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Loans may be made to associations of family farmers and ranchers to acquire and develop grazing land to provide seasonal grazing for livestock belonging to as |