[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 133 (Friday, July 11, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37190-37191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18438]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


National Commission on Small Farms

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service.

ACTION: Notice of intent to establish a Federal Advisory Committee with 
a request for comments. Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposes to 
establish the National Commission on Small Farms (Commission). The 
purpose of the Commission is to gather and analyze information 
regarding small farms and ranches and recommend to the Secretary of 
Agriculture a national policy and strategy to ensure their continued 
viability. This notice seeks comments on concerns and issues that the 
Commission should address. The Commission members will be appointed at 
a later time. The first public meeting of the Commission is July 28, 
1997.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before August 11, 1997. 
These comments will be summarized and presented to the Commission prior 
to their next meeting.

PLACE, DATE AND TIME OF MEETING: The Commission will meet from 9:30 
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on July 28 at the Agricenter International, Banquet 
Room, C Wing, 7777 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38120. The first part 
of the meeting will be devoted to getting the Commission organized and 
the remainder of the meeting will be dedicated to listening to oral 
statements that will be limited to seven (7) minutes. Interested 
parties wishing to provide oral or written statements should contact 
Jennifer Yezak Molen, Director, National Commission on Small Farms, 
prior to the meeting.

ADDRESSES: Comments and statements should be sent to National 
Commission on Small Farms, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 
2890, Room 5239, South Building, Washington, D.C. 20013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Yezak Molen, Director, 
National Commission on Small Farms, at the address above or at (202) 
690-0648.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given that the Secretary of 
Agriculture intends to establish the National Commission on Small 
Farms, hereinafter referred to as the Commission. The purpose of the 
Commission is to gather and evaluate background information, studies, 
and data pertinent to small farms and ranches, including limited-
resource farmers. On the basis of the review, the Commission shall 
analyze all relevant issues and make findings, develop strategies, and 
make recommendations for consideration by the Secretary of Agriculture 
toward a national strategy on small farms. The national strategy shall 
include, but not be limited to: changes in existing policies, programs, 
regulations, training, and program delivery and outreach systems; 
approaches that assist beginning farmers and involve the private 
sectors and government, including assurances that the needs of 
minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are addressed; areas 
where new partnerships and collaborations are needed; and other 
approaches that it would deem advisable or which the Secretary of 
Agriculture or the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service 
may request the Commission to consider.
    The Secretary of Agriculture has determined that the work of the 
Commission is in the public interest and within the duties and 
responsibilities of USDA. Establishment of the Commission also 
implements a recommendation of the USDA Civil Rights Action Report to 
appoint a diverse commission to develop a national policy on small 
farms.
    The Commission will be headed by a Chairperson and two Vice-
Chairpersons. In the absence of the Chairperson, one of the Vice-
Chairpersons, as designated by the Chairperson, will act in his/her 
stead. Administrative Staff support essential to the execution of the 
Commission's responsibilities shall be provided by the Natural 
Resources Conservation Service.
    Commission members shall be appointed by the Secretary of 
Agriculture. The Commission may have as many as thirty (30) members 
representing a mix of perspectives, experience, and ethnic and 
geographic diversity. Members will represent small farms and ranches, 
finance, commerce, rural communities, nonprofit organizations, 
academia, state and local governments, Native Americans, farmworkers, 
and other interests as the Secretary determines.
    Equal opportunity practices, consistent with USDA policies, will be

[[Page 37191]]

followed in appointments to the Commission. To ensure that a national 
strategy for small farms takes into account the needs of diverse groups 
served by USDA programs, membership shall include to the extent 
practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent 
minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
Pearlie S. Reed,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 97-18438 Filed 7-10-97; 8:45 am]
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