FEDERAL AGENCY:

FARM SERVICE AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AUTHORIZATION:

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Public Law 104- 180, 7 U.S.C. 1989.

To assist producers and State governmental agencies to eradicate boll weevils from the United States.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Loans. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Funds may be used to purchase or lease supplies and equipment, to pay entity operating expenses and to pay salaries and benefits. Loan funds may not be used to pay for lobbying, public relations, or related activities.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Applicants may be determined eligible if the organization: (a) Meets the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) cost-sharing requirements; (b) possesses a legal nonprofit corporate authority; (c) possesses the legal authority to enter into a contract; (d) operates in an area approved by a majority of cotton producers via referendum; (e) is unable to obtain funds elsewhere; and (f) may pledge producer assets as loan collateral.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   The beneficiaries of this program include the local boll weevil organization and agricultural community as well as local, State, and national governments.

Credentials/Documentation:   All applicants must be nonprofit entities, authorized to operate under the appropriate State law and for the specific purpose of eradicating boll weevils from the nation's agricultural community.

Pre-application Coordination:   Applicants are eligible for loan consideration after pre-approved funding is established by APHIS. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Complete applications will be accepted by the National Office accompanied by documentation showing the entity's authority to borrow and the operation's ability to make the scheduled loan payment(s).

Award Procedure:   Loans will be written within specific credit guidelines as well as within the borrowing entity's documented ability to repay the loan.

Deadlines:   Initial loan request should be reviewed with APHIS prior to the funding year with a complete loan package submitted to FSA 90 days prior to the anticipated disbursal of funds.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Agency credit decisions will generally be issued within 60 days of the receipt of a complete loan package.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   Boll weevil loans are term loans based upon certain procedural and program criteria. Although loans are not renewed, additional loan requests may be submitted by each entity for consideration.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   While there are eligibility requirements, there are no formula or matching fund requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Loans can be applied for at anytime during the year. The loan term varies anywhere from one to seven years.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Profit and loss statements may be required monthly, but are always required quarterly and annually. Income and expense deviations in excess of ten percent must be reported immediately.

Audits:   Audited financial statements and profit and loss statements will be annually submitted for review and analysis.

Records:   Detailed records will be maintained by each entity in the respective offices. These same records will be made available to the Agency for review upon demand.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   12-1140-0-1-351.

Obligations:   (Loans) FY 01 $100,000,000; FY 02 est $100,000,000; and FY 03 est $100,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Loans for fiscal year 2001 ranged in size between $1,000,000 and $46,000,000. The median loan would total approximately $7,000,000.

The FSA Boll Weevil Eradication program is in its third year. Loans have been made or are in the process of being made in most all cotton producing States. Although the eradication of the boll weevil is difficult, where implemented, the program is highly successful. Full implementation is anticipated within the next five years and general eradication accomplished within the next decade. Maintenance programs will be required perpetually. In fiscal year 2001, 11 boll weevil loans were made; in fiscal year 2002, 13 boll weevil loans were made.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

The Federal regulations are found at 7 CFR Part 1941, Subpart C.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:   Farm Service Agency, Loan Making Funds Management Branch, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 0522, Room 5438 SO/AGRIB, Washington, DC 20250-0522. Telephone: (202) 720-1632.

Web Site Address:   http://www.fsa.usda.gov