[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 35 (Monday, February 23, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8900-8901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4428]


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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 Directors of the National 
Sheep Industry Improvement Center for two directors' positions whose 
terms are expiring on February 13, 1999. The two positions are for 
active producers of

[[Page 8901]]

sheep or goats, at least one of whom should be involved in goat 
production. Board members manage and oversee the Center's activities. 
Nominations may only be submitted by National organizations that 
consist primarily of active sheep or goat producers in the United 
States and who have as their primary interest the production of sheep 
or goats in the United States. Nominating organizations should submit:
    (1) Substantiation that the nominating organization is national in 
scope,
    (2) The number and percent of members that are active sheep or goat 
producers,
    (3) Substantiation of the primary interests of the organization, 
and
    (4) An Advisory Committee Membership Background Information form 
(Form AD-755) for each nominee.
    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.

DATES: The closing date for acceptance of nominations is June 23, 1998. 
Nominations must be received by, or postmarked, on or before, this 
date.

ADDRESSES: Submit nominations and statements on qualifications to 
Cooperative Services, RBS, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Stop 3252, 
Room 4204, 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, 1400 
Independence Ave, SW, Stop 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, established 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 has a 
Revolving Fund established in the Treasury to carry out the purposes of 
the Center. Management of the Center is vested in a Board of Directors, 
which has hired an Executive Director and other staff to operate the 
Center.
    The Board of Directors is composed of seven voting members of whom 
four are active producers of sheep or goats in the United States, two 
have expertise in finance and management, and one has expertise in 
lamb, wool, goat or goat product marketing. The two open positions are 
the producer seats, with at least one designated as representing goat 
producers. The Board also includes two 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 of Directors, 
but shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary 
expenses.
    The Secretary of Agriculture shall appoint the voting members from 
the submitted nominations. Member's term of office shall be three 
years. Voting members are limited to two terms. The two positions for 
which nominees are sought are currently held by members serving their 
first term, thus are eligible to be re-nominated. The Board shall meet 
not less than once each fiscal year, but are likely to meet at least 
quarterly.
    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: February 13, 1998.
Dayton J. Watkins,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 98-4428 Filed 2-20-98; 8:45 am]
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