[Federal Register: July 24, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 143)]
[Notices]               
[Page 43205]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24jy08-40]                         

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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation

 
Agricultural Management Assistance Program

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability of program funds for the Agricultural 
Management Assistance (AMA) Program.

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

SUMMARY: The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Act) 
expanded the geographic scope of the AMA Program to include the State 
of Hawaii. The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) administers AMA under 
the general supervision of the Chief of the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service (NRCS), who is one of the vice presidents of CCC.
    CCC announces the availability of an additional $2.5 million of 
technical and financial assistance funds in fiscal year (FY) 2008 to 
participating States. AMA is available to States which have 
historically low participation in the Federal crop insurance program. 
These States are: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, 
Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming, and 
Hawaii. Under AMA, a participant may use financial assistance to adopt 
conservation practices that will reduce or mitigate risks to their 
agricultural enterprises.
    AMA is authorized by Section 524(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(b)), and administered under regulations found at 7 
CFR part 1465. NRCS will, at a later date, formally amend the final 
rule located in 7 CFR part 1465 to add Hawaii as an area which is 
eligible for AMA assistance.

DATES: July 24, 2008 to September 30, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harry Slawter, Director, Financial 
Assistance Programs Division, NRCS, Post Office Box 2890, Washington, 
DC 20013; telephone: (202) 720-1845; facsimile: (202) 720-4265; e-mail: 
harry.slawter@wdc.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CCC hereby announces the availability of up 
to $2.5 million in FY 2008 to provide technical and financial 
assistance to producers under AMA. AMA assistance helps producers 
develop and implement conservation practices that reduce or mitigate 
agricultural production risks. Conservation practices, available under 
AMA, reduce soil erosion, improve watershed management or irrigation 
structures, utilize integrated pest management principles, and assist 
producers in transitioning to organic-based farming.
    AMA was established in 2000. Since that time, AMA has been made 
available to 15 States, listed in statutory authority, in which 
participation in the Federal crop insurance program has been 
historically low. The 15 States include: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, 
Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Vermont, West Virginia, 
and Wyoming. The 2008 Act expanded AMA's geographic scope to include 
the State of Hawaii.
    The 2008 Act provided for the continuation of conservation programs 
in 2008. AMA will continue to use the policies and operating procedures 
outlined in AMA's regulation (7 CFR part 1465) for program 
implementation in 2008. Individuals interested in applying for AMA 
assistance may contact their local Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
service center in participating AMA States. For a listing of local USDA 
service centers, consult: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/
app?agency=nrcs.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on July 17, 2008.
Arlen L. Lancaster,
Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation and Chief, Natural 
Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. E8-16920 Filed 7-23-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-16-P