Subpart C-Roles and Responsibilities of State Governments

§ 22.301 Selection and designation.

Procedures for implementing the Act are designed to give the fullest possible consideration to planning and development goals and strategies at the State and multicounty jurisdictional levels. The governing bodies of multicounty organizations should include representatives of local governments contained within the respective multicounty jurisdictions. State development strategies and priorities shall be fully considered in the Federal administration of Rural Development Act authorities.

§ 22.302 Area eligibility.

Eligibility for programs under the Act will be based on the criteria of community size and location of population as specified in the Act. State designations of eligible areas will be duly considered by the Federal government in the determination of eligibility for loan and grant assistance.

§22.303 Cooperation with Federal Regional Councils.

States are urged to establish and maintain close and cooperative relationships with the Federal Regional Councils which will be in a position to assist the States and multicounty jurisdictions in the identification and application of available resources. States may authorize direct communications and liaison between the Regional Councils and multicounty jurisdictions within States.

§ 22.304 Multiyear planning and programming.

State and multicounty jurisdictions are encouraged to adopt multiyear planning and development programs. As administrative procedures for implementing the Act support the feasibility of such a process, these programs should consider joint State, Federal, and local budget planning factors and be refined to conform to the actual fund availability as annual budgets are finalized and allocated. Such programs, once initiated, will be extended by the annual addition of a new planning year until programs are completed or terminated.

§ 22.305 Conformance with OMB Circular No. A-95.

The State and multicounty jurisdictional rural development planning process must conform to the review requirements expressed in OMB Circular No. A-95 under parts I, III, and IV as appropriate.

§ 22.306 Financing rural development planning.

States will be required to finance rural development planning through their own resources, revenue-sharing allocations, or the Department of Housing and Urban Development planning and management assistance program or other available Federal planning programs.

§ 22.307 Program evaluation.

The Department of Agriculture is responsible for continuous program evaluation to determine if individual projects and the entire program is cost effective in terms of reaching rural development goals. As a result, USDA is responsible for conducting and reporting an annual evaluation of selected rural development projects and the overall rural development program. USDA shall include as a part of its evaluation Federal Regional Council assessment of the effectiveness of interagency coordination and delivery of services within the overall rural development program. States and multicounty districts are encouraged to participate in the joint preparation of such program evaluations. Copies of such evaluations should be supplied to the Administrator, Rural Development Service, Department of Agriculture and to the Federal Regional Councils, in sufficient time so as to arrive not later than July 1. The initial evaluation, due July 1, 1974, in addition to the requirements listed below, should include a background statement and should summarize first year program efforts and results. Annual evaluation should:

(a) Describe the process used in planning, project selection and priority setting, and the criteria and process used in evaluating program effectiveness.

(b) Describe the specific objectives of the programs.

(c) Describe and assess the cost and effectiveness of projects being pursued within individual multicounty jurisdictions.

(d) Express observations, conclusions and recommendations based on such evaluations which may contribute to the development of better management, coordination and planning procedures.

$22.308 Project approval.

State and multicounty jurisdictional planning is a State and local prerogative. Federal agencies will be responsive to State rural development strategies and priorities. However, determination of eligibility and feasibility and final approval of individual projects involving Federal funds must remain with the Federal government consistent with the Act and implementing regulations.

$22.309 Seeking Federal review.

States may, if they elect, submit multicounty development plans and proposals to the Federal Regional Councils and to the Rural Development Service, USDA, for review and comment. Such review will neither obligate the Federal government with respect to such programs nor require States to conform with suggestions supplied by the USDA or the Federal Regional Council.

(a) Title V of the Rural Development Act of 1972 (Pub. L. 92-419) hereafter referred to as "Title V" is the Research and Education component of the Rural Development Act of 1972. Title V provides the opportunity to utilize and build upon the research, extension, and community service capability of public and private institutions of higher education in each State to expand scientific inquiry and education backup for rural development. The higher educational and research institutions in each State, including the Land Grant Institutions of 1890, are authorized to assist in developing and disseminating through the most appropriate manner, scientific information, technical assistance, and feasibility studies required to improve the rural development capability of local citizens, agencies, and governments. Programs authorized under title V shall be organized and conducted by one or more colleges or universities in each State to provide a coordinated program in each State which will have the greatest impact on accomplishing the objectives of rural development in both the short and longer term and the use of these studies to support the State's comprehensive program to be supported under title V.

(b) Title V operations will be consonant with the purpose that all Federal rural development activities be coordinated with other federally assisted rural development activities and with the State's ongoing rural development program. To effectuate such purpose, the Assistant Secretary for Conservation, Research and Education will implement title V plans and activities in close coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Rural Development.

§ 23.2 Administration.

(a) Title V will be administered by the Administrators of the Extension

Service and the Cooperative State Research Service for extension and research programs respectively, in cooperation with the chief administrative officer of the State Land Grant University who will administer the program within his respective State. To assure national and State coordination with programs under the SmithLever Act of 1914 and the Hatch Act (as amended), August 11, 1955, the administration of the programs shall be in association with the programs conducted under the Smith-Lever Act and the Hatch Act as required by section 504(b) of the Act.

(b) Programs authorized under title V shall be conducted as mutually agreed upon by the Secretary and the chief administrative officer of the State Land Grant University responsible for administering said programs in a memorandum of understanding which shall provide for the coordination of the programs, coordination of these programs with other rural development programs of Federal, State, and local government, and such other matters as the Secretary shall determine.

§ 23.3 Coordination.

The chief administrative officer of the administratively responsible State Land Grant University will designate an official who will be responsible for the overall coordination of the authorized programs for the State. The designated official will be responsible for the overall coordination of planning, organizing, funding, conducting and evaluating programs in association with the person responsible for the administration of research programs, the person responsible for the administration of the extension programs, and the administrative head of agriculture of the University (chairman of the State Rural Development Advisory Council). § 23.4 State Rural Development Advisory Council.

(a) The chief administrative officer of the administratively responsible State Land Grant University will appoint a State Rural Development Advisory Council with membership as set forth in section 504(e) of title V. The function of the Council shall be to review

and approve annual program plans conducted under title V. The Council will also advise the chief administrative officer on all matters pertaining to the authorized programs.

(b) The Chairman of the State Rural Development Advisory Council will insure that programs proposed under title V including regional programs applicable within the State are not inconsistent with and are, to a maximum extent practicable, in consonance with other rural development programs and activities approved in that State.

(c) Those elements of the research and extension plan which would impact directly on rural development activities being developed or pursued by States will be considered jointly by the State Rural Development Advisory Council and appropriate State agencies to assure a constructive reinforcement of those State activities.

§ 23.5 Availability of funds.

Funds available under title V for extension and research programs shall be allocated to, and following approval of a State Annual Plan of Work, paid to the official of the State Land Grant University designated to receive funds under the Smith-Lever and Hatch Acts respectively. Funds will be available for State programs for expenditures authorized by section 503(c) of title V, in the fiscal year for which the funds were appropriated and the next fiscal year.

§ 23.6 Plan of Work.

(a) A State Annual Plan of Work for carrying out the programs authorized under title V shall be prepared. The Plan of Work should include:

(1) Identification of major problems and needs which can be met by each related extension and research program in the geographic or problem area.

(2) The relationship of this program to ongoing planning and development efforts.

(3) The organizational structure for planning, conducting, and evaluating each pilot program, including the names and title of the members of the Rural Development Advisory Council and the composition of major committees and work groups.

(4) A separate concise statement describing specific extension projects to

be funded under each program. The statement should contain the following elements: Title, objectives, organization and operational procedures, probable duration, personnel, institutions involved, and relation to the research effort. In addition, a brief description of each regular or special extension project which is complementary and supports the title V pilot program, but which is funded from other sources shall be included.

(5) A separate concise statement describing specific research projects to be funded under each program. The statement should contain the following elements: Title, objectives, organization, and operational procedures, probable duration, personnel, institutions involved, and relation to the extension effort. In addition, a brief description of each regular or special research project which is complementary and supports the title V program, but which is funded from other sources, shall be included.

(6) A plan for evaluating the impact of each program on the development of the area, including the effectiveness of the extension and research program techniques, and organizational structure for planning and conducting each program. Appraisals by community leaders in the area should be included in the evaluation.

(7) Provisions for making an annual progress report to the Assistant Secretary for Conservation, Research, and Education which will document achievements pertaining to the goals and objectives as stated in the Plan of Work.

(8) A budget statement for each program to be submitted on forms provided by the Assistant Secretary for Conservation, Research, and Education.

(b) The Plan of Work shall include plans for all programs to be conducted with funds authorized under section 503(b)(3) and (4) of title V. The Plan of Work shall include plans for the programs to be conducted by each cooperating and participating university or college and such other information as included in these guidelines. Each State program must include research and extension activities directed toward identification of programs which

are likely to have the greatest impact upon accomplishing the objectives of rural development in both the short and longer terms and the use of these studies to support the State's comprehensive program to be supported under section 505(b) of title V. In addition, all other rural development extension and research efforts funded from other sources that contribute directly to the proposed programs shall be described in the Plan of Work.

(c) Since the appropriation authorization for title V is limited to a threeyear period the Plan of Work should be developed to demonstrate extension and research program techniques and organizational structures for providing essential knowledge to assist and support rural development efforts within that time.

(1) In accordance with the above criteria, the Plan of Work should:

(i) Concentrate on limited geographic or problem areas where title V efforts would be expected to have high impact within the three-year authorization.

(ii) Give emphasis to rural areas, including towns and cities with populations of less than 50,000.

(iii) Involve the administratively responsible Land Grant University and other public or private colleges and universities, as appropriate, in meeting with high priority extension and research needs of the area(s).

(iv) Give priority to education and research assistance leading to increasing job and income opportunities, improving quality of life, improving essential community services and facilities, improving housing and home improvements, and enhancing those social processes necessary to achieve these goals.

(v) Be consistent with Statewide comprehensive planning and development efforts and objectives. Procedures set forth under § 23.4(c) are designed to achieve attainment of this requirement.

(d) Four copies of the Plan of Work approved by the State Rural Development Advisory Council shall be submitted by the person responsible for the overall coordination of the title V programs in the State to the Assistant Secretary for Conservation, Research

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and Education, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250, within 60 days after enactment of the annual Appropriation Act for the Department of Agriculture.

(e) Plans of Work not meeting the above criteria will not be approved by the Assistant Secretary for Conservation, Research and Education.

Subpart B-Regional Program

§ 23.9 General.

(a) Section 503(b)(2), title V, of the Rural Development Act of 1972 (Pub. L. 92-419) hereafter referred to as "Title V" authorizes funds to finance work authorized under title V which serve two or more States; in which universities in two or more States cooperate; or which is conducted by one University serving two or more States. The authorized funding under section 503(b)(2) is hereafter referred to as the "Regional Programs."

(b) The Regional Programs shall develop and provide knowledge essential to assist and support rural development in the region, and shall provide for technical consultation and personnel development for the research and extension staff in the several States of the region to help them to be more responsive to rural development needs and activities.

(c) The Regional Programs will concentrate on the high priority knowledge, training, and personnel needs required for the research and extension staff in the several States to conduct effective rural development research and extension to carry out the provisions of title V. These efforts may include personnel development and consultation; synthesis of existing research knowledge and the interpretation of this knowledge for rural development program and policy purposes; the development of strategies and procedures on high priority rural development problems of regional significance; as funds permit, the conduct of research on one of two high priority problems for which information is lacking but is urgently needed for rural development, and the evaluation of rural development programs and policies.

(d) Regional Programs will be consonant with all rural development activities under the Act and other pertinent Federal development programs. To effectuate such purpose, the Assistant Secretary for Conservation, Research and Education will implement title V plans and activities in close cooperation with the Assistant Secretary for Rural Development. In order to insure such consonance, the Director of each Regional Center will insure that regional programs having an impact within one or more States are brought to the attention of the appropriate State overall coordinator for consideration pursuant to procedures § 23.4(c).

§ 23.10 Administration.

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(a) The Regional Programs will be administered through four Regional Rural Development Centers hereafter referred to as "Regional Centers" in cooperation with the Extension Service and the Cooperative State Research Service. The Director of each Regional Center shall be responsible for compliance with all appropriate provisions of title V and the regulations of this subpart. Regions as delineated for purposes under section 503(b)(2) will be coterminous with the regional delineation by the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. Each Regional Center will be established by the regional association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors and the regional organization of Cooperative Extension Directors in the region to be served by the Regional Center. These associations and organizations will designate the location of the Regional Center.

(b) Although the Regional Center will administer the program, it is also expected that it will draw on expertise from outside the Regional Center. The Director of each Regional Center shall seek advice and assistance from regional and subregional committees, groups or persons who can contribute to the Regional Center's program.