[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 183 (Tuesday, September 22, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 50554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25339]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


National Commission on Small Farms; Meeting

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Agriculture by Departmental Regulation No. 
1043-43 dated July 9, 1997, established the National Commission on 
Small Farms (Commission) and further identified the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide support to the 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. The Commission's next meeting is October 6, 7, and 8, 1998.

PLACE, DATE AND TIME OF MEETING: On October 6, 1998, the Commission 
will meet at the Days Inn Crystal City Hotel, 2000 Jefferson Davis 
Highway, Arlington, Virginia, from 7 p.m to 9:30 p.m. On October 7 and 
8, 1998, the Commission will meet at the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, Room 107A, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC. On October 7, 1998, the Commission will 
meet from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on October 8, 1998 from 8:30 a.m. to 
12:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive an implementation 
progress report from USDA on the Commission's report, ``A Time to 
Act,'' issued in January 1998 and to discuss future actions. The 
meeting is open to the public.

ADDRESSES: National Commission on Small Farms, USDA-NRCS, Post Office 
Box 2890, South Building, Room 6013, Washington, DC 20013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Yezak Molen, Director, 
National Commission on Small Farms, at the address above or at (202) 
720-0122. The fax number is (202) 720-0639.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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. The 
Commission may 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. On January 
22, 1998, the Commission issued a report ``A Time to Act, A Report of 
the USDA National Commission on Small Farms.'' The report's 
recommendations included: proposed changes to existing policies, 
programs, regulations, training, and program delivery and outreach 
systems; suggested approaches that could assist small and beginning 
farmers and involve the private sectors and government, including ways 
to meet the needs of minorities, women, and persons with disabilities; 
and proposed areas where new partnerships and collaborations are 
needed.
    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 
implemented a recommendation of the USDA Civil Rights Action Report to 
appoint a diverse commission to develop a national policy on small 
farms. Individuals may submit written comments to the contact person 
listed above before or after the meeting.

    Dated: September 17, 1998.
Deborah Matz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-25339 Filed 9-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P