[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 112 (Monday, June 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 29340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14512]



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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 112 / Monday, June 10, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 29340]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


National Sheep Industry Improvement Center; Solicitation of 
Nominations of Board Members

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice: Invitation to submit nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) announces that it 
is accepting nominations for the Board of the National Sheep Industry 
Improvement Center. Board members shall manage and oversee the Center's 
activities. Nominations may be submitted by any qualified organization 
in the national sheep or goat industry. Nominators should state the 
qualifications of the nominating organization in their submission, as 
well as the qualifications of individual nominees. Qualification 
statements for the nominating organizations must substantiate their 
national status and include (1) the number and percent of members that 
are active sheep or goat producers and (2) the primary interests of the 
organization. Individuals proposed as nominees for the Board must 
complete an Advisory Committee Membership Background Information form. 
This action is taken to carry out section 759 of the Federal 
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 for the establishment of 
a National Sheep Industry Improvement Center. The intended effect of 
this notice is to obtain nominations for the Board.

DATES: RBS hereby announces that it will receive nominations, 
statements on qualification of nominee, and qualifications of the 
nominating organization. The closing date for acceptance by RBS of 
nominations is July 25, 1996. Nominations must be received by, or 
postmarked, on or before, this date.

ADDRESSES: Submit nominations and statements on qualifications to 
Cooperative Services, RBS, USDA, Ag Box 3252, Washington, DC 20250-
3252, Attn.: National Sheep Improvement Center, Nominations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Thomas H. Stafford, Director, 
Cooperative Marketing Division, Cooperative Services, RBS, USDA, Ag Box 
3252, Washington, DC 20250-3252, telephone (202) 690-0368, (This is not 
a toll free number.) FAX 202-690-2723, or e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
Reform Act of 1996, known as the 1996 Farm Bill, directs the Secretary 
of Agriculture to establish a National Sheep Industry Improvement 
Center. The Center shall (1) promote strategic development activities 
and collaborative efforts by private and State entities to maximize the 
impact of Federal assistance to strengthen and enhance production and 
marketing of sheep or goat products in the United States; (2) optimize 
the use of available human capital and resources within the sheep or 
goat industries; (3) provide assistance to meet the needs of the sheep 
or goat industry for infrastructure development, business development, 
production, resource development, and market and environmental 
research; (4) advance activities that empower and build the capacity of 
the United States sheep or goat industry to design unique responses to 
special needs of the sheep or goat industries on both a regional and 
national basis; and (5) adopt flexible and innovative approaches to 
solving the long-term needs of the United States sheep or goat 
industry. The Center will have a Revolving Fund established in the 
Treasury to carry out the purposes of the Center. Management of the 
Center will be vested in a Board of Directors, which may appoint an 
Executive Director, other officers, and employees.
    The Board shall be composed of 7 voting members of whom 4 shall be 
active producers of sheep or goats in the United States, 2 shall have 
expertise in finance and management, and 1 shall have expertise in 
lamb, wool, goat or goat product marketing. The Board will include 2 
non-voting members, the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural 
Development and the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, 
Education, and Economics. Board members will not receive compensation 
for serving on the Board, but shall be reimbursed for travel, 
subsistence, and other necessary expenses.
    National organizations eligible to make nominations shall (1) 
consist primarily of active sheep or goat producers in the United 
States and (2) have as their primary interest the production of sheep 
or goats in the United States.
    The Secretary of Agriculture shall appoint the voting members from 
submitted nominations. Member's term of office shall be 3 years. Board 
members shall initially serve staggered terms of 1, 2, or 3 years, as 
determined by the Secretary. Voting members are limited to two terms. 
The Board shall meet not less than once each fiscal year. On or before 
April 4, 1997, the Board shall hold public hearings on policy 
objectives of the Center.
    The statement of qualifications of the individual nominees is being 
obtained by using Form AD-755, Advisory Committee Membership Background 
Information. The requirements of this form are incorporated under OMB 
number 0505-0001.

    Dated: May 31, 1996.
Dayton J. Watkins,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 96-14512 Filed 6-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-32-P