[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 8680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4823]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 38 / Wednesday, February 26, 1997 / 
Notices  

[[Page 8680]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and 
Economics Advisory Board

AGENCY: Research, Education, and Economics, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Solicitation of Advisory Board Recommendations.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 
92-463), the United States Department of Agriculture announces a 
solicitation of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
Education, and Economics Advisory Board members for recommendations on 
the reauthorization of the Title VIII--Research, Extension, and 
Education of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 
(FAIR Act).

DATE: Deadline for Advisory Board Comments, February 27, 1997.

    Comments: The public may file written comments before or after the 
DATE above with the contact person listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Deborah Hanfman, Executive Director, National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, REE Office of the 
Advisory Board, Room 3918 South, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP: 
2255, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-2255. 
Telephone: 202-720-3684; Fax: 202-720-6199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board has been asked by 
USDA to give general comments on some or all of the issues provided 
below regarding reauthorization of the Research, Extension, and 
Education Title.

Recurring Questions

    (1) What is the appropriate mix of funding among intramural funds, 
formula funds, competitive grants, and special grants?
    (2) Is stakeholder input into research and extension priority 
setting working?
    (3) What is the role of the university system in terms of ARS 
agenda?
    (4) What is the role of the Federal Government?
    (5) What are the priorities for the Extension Service?
    (6) What is the appropriate role for Special Grants?

Context for Research Title Reauthorization

    Many changes have taken place in the agricultural sector. The FAIR 
Act of 1996 provides the following changes:
    (1) Contract payment provisions in lieu of traditional support 
programs,
    (2) A deregulated domestic economy--U.S. ratification of GATT means 
producers now compete in a deregulated global economy as well, and
    (3) Significant policy decisions affecting natural resources & the 
environment.

Principles Guiding USDA's Approach to Research Title 
Reauthorization

    (1) Use existing legislative & administrative authorities whenever 
possible.
    (2) Improve efficiency throughout the research system--and re-
invest in REE research, education, and extension programs.
    (3) Encourage multi-functional, multi-regional, and multi-
institutional activities to achieve maximum leverage of federal, state, 
and local dollars.
    (4) Support a range of funding mechanisms and the current structure 
of intramural and extramural research. Must maintain long-term high-
risk research as well as shorter term investigator-initiated research.
    (5) Support the use of formula funds for research and extension 
activities at the land-grant universities, while providing greater 
accountability.
    (6) Support merit review with peer evaluation in all research 
programs with competitively-awarded programs, as appropriate. We will 
improve merit review and peer evaluation in the intramural programs.
    (7) Value an active federal-state-local partnership in setting 
priorities, conducting the work, and evaluating the results, as is 
consistent with Administration's position on states' roles. USDA will 
work in partnership with state and local entities where we have 
concurrent jurisdiction and build better accountability.
    (8) Strengthen public sector/private sector partnerships.
    (9) Be responsive to national and regional needs as the first 
guideline in priority setting.
    (10) Improve communication with the public.
    (11) Overarching Principle: Work to maintain world leadership in 
agricultural science and education.
    Comments on the above issues will be consolidated by the Office of 
the Advisory Board at the direction of the Executive Committee and used 
in a statement of recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on 
Title VIII reauthorization.

    Done at Washington, DC this 21st day of February, 1997.
Bob Robinson,
Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-4823 Filed 2-25-97; 8:45 am]
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