USDA ANNOUNCES PUBLIC MEETING OF BEGINNING FARMERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Media Contact: Jillene Johnson (202) 720-9733

NEWS Farm Service Agency Public Affairs Staff 1400 Independence Ave SW Stop 0506, Room 3624-South Washington, D.C. 20250-0506 MEDIA ADVISORY Release No. 1508.02 Jillene Johnson (202) 720-9733 jillene_johnson@wdc.usda.gov USDA ANNOUNCES PUBLIC MEETING OF BEGINNING FARMERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE WASHINGTON, April 19, 2002 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers will hold a public meeting May 6-7, 2002, in St. Louis, Mo. Members will discuss the proposed 2002 Farm Bill, which includes many earlier Committee recommendations to the Secretary and recommendations that were tabled at last year's meeting. Such recommendations pertained to FSA's loan programs, tax-exempt agricultural bond programs and Farm Credit Administration policies on serving beginning farmers and ranchers. The 19-member committee advises the Secretary on ways to encourage Federal and State beginning-farmer programs to provide joint financing to beginning farmers and ranchers, and to create new opportunities for these producers. WHO: USDA Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers WHAT: Public meeting WHERE: Adam's Mark Hotel- St. Louis Fourth and Chestnut St. Louis, MO 63102 WHEN: May 6, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST May 7, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CST Attendance is open to the public, but space is limited. On May 7, 2002, at 1:00 p.m., the floor will be open to oral presentations. Anyone wishing to make a statement should submit a request in writing by letter, fax or e-mail to: Mark Falcone Federal Official for the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers USDA, Farm Service Agency 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0522 Washington, DC 20250-0522 Fax (202) 690-1117, e-mail: mark_falcone@wdc.usda.gov Requests are due by May 1, 2002, and must include the name and affiliation of the individual who will make the statement and an outline of the issues to be addressed. Statements are limited to 5 minutes, and presenters will be approved in the order of their written requests. Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate should contact Mr. Falcone by May 1. # NOTE: Farm Service Agency (FSA) news releases and media advisories are available on the Web at FSA's home page: http://www.fsa.usda.gov.