10.350 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO

COOPERATIVES FEDERAL AGENCY: AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE SERV.

ICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926, 7 U.S.C.

451-457; Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627. OBJECTIVES: To formulate, develop, and administer research and

technical assistance programs on financial, organization, manage

ment, legal, social, and economic aspects of cooperatives. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Advisory Services and Counseling; Dis

semination of Technical Information. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Provides technical assistance, re

search, 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, including those located in the

U.S. Territories, interested in forming cooperatives. Beneficiary Eligibility: Rural and farmer cooperatives, and groups of

farmers and other rural residents, including those located in the

U.S. Territories, interested in forming cooperatives. Credentials/Documentation: Requests for technical assistance by a

cooperative should be a resolution from the cooperative board of directors. Requests for assistance in forming a co-op should be made in writing on behalf of producers or rural residents interest

ed in forming a cooperative. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: None. This program is excluded from

coverage under E.O. 12372. Application Procedure: Letter to the Administrator, Agricultural Co

operative Service office listed below. Award Procedure: ACS responds to each request. Deadlines: None. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Requests are usually acted

upon within 15 to 30 days. Appeals: Not applicable.

Renewals: 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: In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-

128, "Audits of State and Local Governments,” State and local

governments that receive financial assistance of $100,000 or more within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made for that year. State and local governments that receive between $25,000 and $100,000 within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made in accordance with Circular No. A-128, or in accordance with Federal laws and regulations governing the programs in

which they participate.
Records: None.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification: 12-3000-0-1-352.
Obligations: FY 92 $5,521,000; FY 93 est $5,640,000; and FY 94 est

$5,283,000. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Not applicable. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In fiscal year 1992, ACS provid

ed research and technical assistance to many rural cooperatives

and rural groups, or groups interested in organizing cooperatives. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: List of publi

cations-periodicals (annual listing of publications issued by ACS),

no charge. Fees are assessed for individual publications. INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office: Not applicable.
Headquarters Office: Administrator, Agricultural Cooperative Serv-

ice, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96576, Washington,
DC 20090-6576. Telephone: (202) 720-8460. (Use same 10-digit

number for FTS.) Contact: Dr. James E. Haskell. RELATED PROGRAMS: None. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Cooperative Education Re

source Guide and Directory developed to list courses, training programs, printed materials, audiovisual materials, and other teaching aids for use by trainers and educators for teaching about farmer cooperatives. Cooperative education development of a Farmer Cooperative Educational Expert System for use on PC computers to teach a broad range of topics about farmer coopera

tives to public and private groups, universities, and individuals. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: Not applicable.

10.375 HUMAN NUTRITION INFORMATION

SERVICE FEDERAL AGENCY: HUMAN NUTRITION INFORMATION

SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Research and Marketing Act of 1946, as amend

ed, Public Law 95-113. OBJECTIVES: To conduct research on food consumption, food com

position, and nutrition education. To provide human nutrition information to government agencies with missions related to nutrition, to industry and professionals in food, nutrition and health,

and to consumers. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Dissemination of Technical Information. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Results of research are available

to the public upon request after public disclosure. Research results and educational materials contribute to national goals of dissemina

tion and utilization of scientific knowledge. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: Individuals, State and local governments, edu

cational and professional organizations, research societies, business and industry including those located in U.S. territories may apply for competitive research contracts. Anyone is eligible for con

sumer and technical information. Beneficiary Eligibility: Individuals, State and local governments, edu

cational and professional organizations, research societies, business and industry including those located in U.S. territories may apply for research contracts. Anyone is eligible for technical informa

tion. Credentials/Documentation: None. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: None. This program is excluded from

coverage under E.O. 12372. Application Procedure: Letter to Human Nutrition Information Serv

ice for contracts, technical information, and educational materials. Award Procedure: Contract Review Committee considers each pro

posal, evaluates the qualifications of applicant in line with research

undertaken and determines priority for final negotiations.
Deadlines: None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Not available.
Appeals: None.

Renewals: None.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements: None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Not applicable. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports: None.

Audits: Not applicable.

Records: Not applicable.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification: 12-3501-0-1-352.
Obligations: FY 92 $9,900,000; FY 93 est $10,700,000; and FY 94 est

$13,700,000. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Not available. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Accomplishments include the

Nationwide Food Consumption Survey, Continuing Survey of
Food Intakes by Individuals, Diet-Health Knowledge Survey, the
National Nutrient Data Bank, Eating Right, and Dietary Guide-

lines Way Nutrition Education Campaign. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: Bulletins, both

technical and popular, are available to the public. For information on human nutrition and food, contact Human Nutrition Information Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Hyattsville, MD 20782. Telephone: (301) 436-7725. (Use same 7-digit number for

FTS.)
INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office: None.
Headquarters Office: Human Nutrition Information Service, Depart-

ment of Agriculture, Hyattsville, MD 20782. Telephone: (301)

436-7725. Attn: Administrator. RELATED PROGRAMS: None. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Methodological study of

food consumption survey techniques; analyses of the nutrient content of food; Nationwide Food Consumption Survey; Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals; and qualitative research to evaluate nutrition education techniques and methods for communi

cating dietary guidance. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: Relevance to program

objectives; scientific merit; qualifications of principal investigator and institution; and cost.

10.404 EMERGENCY LOANS FEDERAL AGENCY: FARMERS HOME ADMINISTRATION,

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act,

as amended, Subtitle C, Sections 321-330, Public Law 92-419, 7 U.S.C. 1961-1984; Public Law 96-438; Public Law 97-35; Public Law 98-258; Public Law 99-198; Public Law 100-233; Public Law

100-387; Public Law 101-624. OBJECTIVES: To assist established (owner or tenant) family farmers,

ranchers and aquaculture operators with loans to cover losses resulting from major and/or natural disasters, which can be used for annual farm operating expenses, and for other essential needs necessary to return disaster victims' farming operations to financially sound bases in order that they will be able to return to private

sources of credit as soon as possible. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Direct Loans. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Loan funds may be used to repair,

restore, or replace damaged or destroyed farm property (real and chattel) and supplies which were lost or damaged as a direct result of a natural disaster; under certain conditions, refinance secured and unsecured debts made necessary by the disasters; finance adjustments in the farming, ranching or aquaculture operation(s) determined necessary to restore or maintain applicants' operations on a sound financial basis equivalent to their predisaster potential. The total of all actual loss loans is based on actual dollar value of production and physical losses. Loans are made at 4.50 percent interest, with a maximum limit of 80 percent of the actual production loss and 100 percent of the actual physical loss, or $500,000 per disaster. Loans are made in counties: (1) Named by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as being eligible for Federal assistance under a major disaster or emergency declaration by the President; (2) designated as natural disaster areas by the Secretary of Agriculture; and (3) designated by the FmHA Administrator

for severe physical losses, only, as a result of a natural disaster. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: Requires an applicant to: (a) Be an established

family farmer, rancher, or aquaculture operator (either tenant-operator or owner-operator), who was conducting a farming operation at the time of occurrence of the disaster either as an individual proprietorship, a partnership, a cooperative, a corporation, or a joint operation; (b) have suffered substantial crop loss and/or physical property damage caused by a designated natural disaster; (c) be a citizen of the United States or legal resident alien, or be operated by citizens and/or resident aliens owning over a 50 percent interest of the farming entity; (d) be unable to obtain suitable credit from any other source(s) to qualify for subsidized loss loans; (e) be of good character (emphasizing debt repayment ability and reliability) and have the necessary ability to succeed; (1) be able to realistically project a feasible and sound plan of operation; (g) be a capable manager of the farming, ranching, or aquaculture operations in the case of a cooperative, corporation, partnership or joint operation, if members, stockholders, partners or joint operators own a majority interest and are related by blood or marriage, at least one member, stockholder, partner or joint operator must operate the family farm; if not related, the majority interest holder(s) must operate the family farm); (h) have legal capacity to contract for the loan; (i) obtain county committee eligibility certification; (j) provide adequate collateral to secure the loan request; (k) have crop insurance if available for affected crops (the Disaster Assistance Act of 1988 and 1989 waived Crop Insurance requirements for losses to the 1988 and 1989 crops, the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 Public Law 101-624, waived the same requirement for the 1990 crops) and comply with the highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions of Public Law 99-198 (16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.), (Title 12 and 13) the

Food Security Act of 1985 (FSA) and the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. Applicants who cannot meet all of these requirements are not eligible. Assistance is available in the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and, to the extent the Secretary determines it to be feasible and appropriate, the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, when those areas (by

county) are designated. Beneficiary Eligibility: Applicants/borrowers are the direct benefici

aries when they meet all eligibility criteria. Families, individuals and entities who are farmers, ranchers or aquaculture operators

are the beneficiaries. Credentials/Documentation: Applicants must establish that substantial

physical property damage and/or severe production losses, caused by the designated natural disaster, has occurred. To qualify for subsidized loss loans, the applicant must be unable to get credit elsewhere. Form FmHA 1940-38 must be completed by all lending sources contacted. This program is excluded from coverage under

OMB Circular No. A-87. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: None. This program is excluded from

coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102 and E.O. 12372. Application Procedure: Application Form FmHA 410-1 provided by

the Farmers Home Administration must be presented, with supporting information, to the FmHA county office serving the applicant's county. FmHA personnel assist applicants in completing their application forms. This program is excluded from coverage

under OMB Circular No. A-110. Award Procedure: FmHA County Supervisors, District and State Di

rectors, and the Administrator or his designee are authorized to approve these loans, subject to certain administrative requirements, after applicants are determined eligible by FmHA county

committees. Deadlines: Deadline for filing applications for actual loss loans is

eight months from the date of declaration/designation for both physical and production losses. Applicants should consult the

FmHA county office serving their area for application deadlines. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Applications are acted on by

the county committee within 7 days from receipt of completed application. The loan approval official approves or disapproves within 60 days after filing of a completed application on a direct

loan application and 45 days on a guaranteed loan application. Appeals: Applicants for insured loans may appeal adverse actions

taken. The applicant is given an opportunity to appeal the decision to the National Appeals Staff, (FmHA Instruction 1900-B). The applicant may, in the final step of the appeals process, request a review by the Director, National Appeals Staff of the Farmers

Home Administration, Washington, DC. Renewals: Rescheduling, Reamortization, Consolidation and Defer

ment: Up to 15 years rescheduling for short and intermediate term loans based on production or chattel losses. Long term loans may be reamortized. However, the maximum statutory repayment period of 40 years for real-estate purposes can not be exceeded. Loans made for similar purposes can be consolidated and rescheduled or reamortized. Repayment of loans made for any purpose may also be deferred for up to 5 annual installments when necessary to enable borrowers to rehabilitate their farming operation(s). Generally, real estate will be needed as security when a term of

more than 7 years is authorized. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements: None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: This varies in accordance

with individual case needs, type of disaster losses, type of security
available, and borrower's repayment ability. Applicants should

consult the FmHA county office serving their area for specific in

formation.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports: Borrowers are required to account for all security property.
Audits: This varies in individual cases.
Records: Applicants furnish 5 year history of farm production, if

available, when production losses are claimed. Otherwise, ASCS
records of acres grown and proven yields, county or State pro-
duction averages, or combinations of the above records when ap-
proved, are used. Borrowers are expected to keep sufficient and
adequate records for tax purposes and management decision
making. Specific financial information is required to be maintained
for 3 years for some borrowers as a condition of receiving loan as-

sistance.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification: 12-4140-0-3-351.
Obligations: (Direct Loans) FY 92 $81,453,000; FY 93 est

$74,883,000; and FY 94 est $50,000,000. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $500 to $500,000; 46,700

was the average size for fiscal year 1992. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In fiscal year 1992, there were

1602 loans obligated. It is estimated that 1000 loans will be obli

gated in fiscal year 1993. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: (1) Farmers

Home Administration Fact Sheet, and (2) USDA Pamphlet - "A Brief History of Farmers Home Administration." Administrative regulations are published in the Federal Register at 7 CFR Chap

ter XVIII, Part 1945, Subparts A, and D. INFORMATION CONTACTS: Regional or Local Office: Consult your local telephone directory

under United States Government, Department of Agriculture for FmHA county office number. If no listing, get in touch with appropriate FmHA State office listed in Appendix IV of the Cata

log. Headquarters Office: Administrator, Farmers Home Administration,

Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. Telephone: (202)

720-1632. (Use same 7-digit number for FTS.) RELATED PROGRAMS: 10.054, Emergency Conservation Program;

10.450, Crop Insurance; 59.008, Physical Disaster Loans. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: Not applicable. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: Not applicable.

Virgin Islands, political subdivisions of States, broad-based public or private nonprofit organizations, federally recognized Indian Tribes and nonprofit corporations of farm workers. Grants are available to eligible applicants only when there is a pressing need and when it is doubtful that such facilities could be provided

unless grant assistance is available. Beneficiary Eligibility: A domestic farm laborer is any person who

receives a substantial portion of his/her income as a laborer on a farm in the United States and is either (1) a citizen of the United

States, or (2) has been legally admitted for permanent residency. Credentials/Documentation: The applicant must furnish factual evi

dence 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; (1) ability of workers to pay necessary rent; and (g) with the exception of State and local public agencies, be unable to provide housing from its own resources or credit on terms and conditions that would enable the applicant to provide labor housing. Costs will be determined in accordance with 7 CFR 3015 or 3016 for State and local

governments. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: The standard application forms as fur

nished by the Federal agency and required by 7 CFR 3015 or 3016 must be used for this program. Environmental information from the applicant and an environmental impact assessment by the agency are required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for

review. Application Procedure: Preapplication will be made on Form SF

424.2 "Application for Federal Assistance,” and submitted to the District 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 the proposed project, estimated cost, budget and need are also required. This program is

subject to the provisions of 7 CFR 3015 or 3016. Award Procedure: After the preapplication has been reviewed by the

District Director and if it appears that the applicant is eligible, FMHA will inspect the site, consider its desirability, and assess any environmental impact. The preapplication, including any additional material, will be forwarded to the State Director who 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 all grant and

certain loan applications in excess of $400,000. Deadlines: None. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 90 days to 200 days. Appeals: A person or organization who is directly and adversely af

fected by an administrative decision by FmHA should follow the procedures found in 7 CFR Part 1900, Subpart B of "Farmers

Home Administrative Appeal Procedures." Renewals: Not applicable, although subsequent financing can be

made available. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements: In case of a grant, 10 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. However, if manufactured housing is used, the amortization period is 30 years.

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 year around or seasonal housing; acquiring the necessary land and making improvements on land for housing; and developing related support facilities including central cooking and dining facilities, small infirmaries, laundry facilities, day care centers, other essential equipment and facilities or recreation areas. Funds may also be used to pay certain fees and interest incidental to the project. Restrictions on the use of funds are: The housing must be of a practical type and must be constructed in an economical manner and not of elaborate material or extravagant design. Housing financed with labor housing loan or grant funds must be occupied by domestic farm laborers

and their families. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility: Loans are available to farmers, family farm

partnership, family farm corporation, or an association of farmers. Loans and grants are available to States, Puerto Rico, the U.S.