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    <RIN_INFO>
        <RIN>0570-AA79</RIN>
        <PUBLICATION>
            <PUBLICATION_ID>201110</PUBLICATION_ID>
            <PUBLICATION_TITLE>The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions</PUBLICATION_TITLE>
        </PUBLICATION>
        <AGENCY>
            <CODE>0570</CODE>
            <NAME>Rural Business-Cooperative Service</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>RBS</ACRONYM>
        </AGENCY>
        <PARENT_AGENCY>
            <CODE>0500</CODE>
            <NAME>Department of Agriculture</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>USDA</ACRONYM>
        </PARENT_AGENCY>
        <RULE_TITLE>Value-Added Producer Grant Program</RULE_TITLE>
        <ABSTRACT><![CDATA[The Agency proposes to modify 7 CFR part 4284, subpart J, to include the definitions for  mid-tier value chain and value-added agricultural product to include an agricultural commodity or product that is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced agricultural food product.  Additionally, the proposed rule will expand the grant term not to exceed 3 years; implement a simplified application process for project proposals less than $50,000; provide for priority to projects that increase opportunities for beginning farmers or ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, and operators of small- and medium sized farms and ranches that are structured as a family farm; and implement a reservation of funds for projects to benefit beginning farmers or ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, and mid-tier value chains.

The Agency is also proposing to amend 7 CFR part 1951, subpart E, to allow the delegation of the servicing of the program to USDA State Office personnel.

An interim rule has been published and the Agency has received, reviewed and is considering all comments from the public.  A notice of funding availability (NOFA) was published for FY 2010 and FY 2011 funds.  The Agency will publish a NOFA for FY 2012 funds and plans to hold one or more stakeholder meetings during FY 2012 to receive additional input from the public.  The agency will administer the program under the interim rule for at least two funding cycles and then review and analyze all public comment, stakeholder input and program data before developing further refinements and publishing a final rule.]]></ABSTRACT>
        <PRIORITY_CATEGORY>Other Significant</PRIORITY_CATEGORY>
        <RIN_STATUS>Previously Published in The Unified Agenda</RIN_STATUS>
        <RULE_STAGE>Final Rule Stage</RULE_STAGE>
        <MAJOR>No</MAJOR>
        <UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
            <UNFUNDED_MANDATE>No</UNFUNDED_MANDATE>
        </UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
        <CFR_LIST>
            <CFR>7 CFR 1951, subpart E</CFR>
            <CFR>7 CFR 4284, subpart J</CFR>
        </CFR_LIST>
        <LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>PL 110-246</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
        </LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
        <LEGAL_DLINE_LIST/>
        <RPLAN_ENTRY>No</RPLAN_ENTRY>
        <TIMETABLE_LIST>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>NPRM</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>05/28/2010</TTBL_DATE>
                <FR_CITATION>75 FR 29920</FR_CITATION>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>NPRM Comment Period End</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>06/28/2010</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Interim Final Rule</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>02/23/2011</TTBL_DATE>
                <FR_CITATION>76 FR 10090</FR_CITATION>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Interim Final Rule Effective</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>03/25/2011</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Interim Final Rule Comment Period End</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>03/25/2011</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Final Action</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>04/00/2012</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
        </TIMETABLE_LIST>
        <RFA_REQUIRED>No</RFA_REQUIRED>
        <SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
            <SMALL_ENTITY>Businesses</SMALL_ENTITY>
        </SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
        <GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>None</GOVT_LEVEL>
        </GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
        <FEDERALISM>No</FEDERALISM>
        <ENERGY_AFFECTED>No</ENERGY_AFFECTED>
        <PRINT_PAPER>No</PRINT_PAPER>
        <INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>No</INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>
        <AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Andrew</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Jermolowicz</LAST_NAME>
                <TITLE>Assistant Deputy Administrator</TITLE>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>0570</CODE>
                    <NAME>Rural Business-Cooperative Service</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>RBS</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>202 720-8460</PHONE>
                <FAX>202 720-4641</FAX>
                <EMAIL>andrew.jermolowicz@wdc.usda.gov</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>STOP 3250, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Washington</CITY>
                    <STATE>DC</STATE>
                    <ZIP>20250-3250</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
        </AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
    </RIN_INFO>
</REGINFO_RIN_DATA>
