| Shorttitle: | Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1961 |
| Longtitle: | An Act to improve and protect farm prices and farm income, to increase farmer participation in the development of farm programs, to adjust supplies of agricultural commodities in line with the requirements therefore, to improve distribution and expand exports of agricultural commodities, to liberalize and extend farm credit services, to protect the interest of consumers, and for other purposes. |
| Enacted By: | 87th |
| Effective Date: | August 8, 1961 |
| Public Law Url: | http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-75/pdf/STATUTE-75-Pg294.pdf |
| Cite Public Law: | 87-128 |
| Title Amended: | 7 U.S.C.: Agriculture |
| Introducedin: | Senate |
| Introducedby: | Orville Freeman (D–MN) |
| Introduceddate: | April 10, 1961 |
| Passedbody1: | Senate |
| Passeddate1: | July 26, 1961 |
| Passedvote1: | 41-37 |
| Conferencedate: | August 3, 1961 |
| Passedbody3: | House |
| Passeddate3: | August 3, 1961 |
| Passedvote3: | 224-170 |
| Passedbody4: | Senate |
| Passeddate4: | August 3, 1961 |
| Passedvote4: | agreed to |
| Signedpresident: | John F. Kennedy |
| Signeddate: | August 8, 1961 |
The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1961 (P.L. 87-128) authorized a major expansion of USDA lending activities, which at the time were administered by Farmers Home Administration (FmHA), but now through the Farm Service Agency. The legislation was originally enacted as the Consolidated Farmers Home Administration Act of 1961.
The S. 1643 legislation was signed into law by the thirty-fifth President of the United States John F. Kennedy on August 8, 1961.[1] [2]
In 1972, this title was changed to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, and is often referred to as the Con Act. The Con Act, as amended, currently serves as the authorizing statute for USDA’s agricultural and rural development lending programs. Titles in the Act include current authority for the following three major FSA farm loan programs: farm ownership, farm operating and emergency disaster loans. Title III of the Con Act is the Rural Development Act of 1972 (P.L.92-419) authorizing rural development loans and grants.
Chronological amendments and revisions to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1961.
| Date of Enactment | Public Law Number | U.S. Statute Citation | U.S. Legislative Bill | U.S. Presidential Administration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 20, 1973 | Richard M. Nixon | ||||
| August 5, 1975 | Gerald R. Ford | ||||
| August 4, 1978 | Jimmy E. Carter | ||||
| September 25, 1980 | Jimmy E. Carter | ||||
| October 13, 1980 | Jimmy E. Carter | ||||
| October 28, 1992 | George H.W. Bush | ||||
| May 11, 1994 | William J. Clinton |