[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 19, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13252-13253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6664]


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 Notices
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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. 68, No. 53 / Wednesday, March 19, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 13252]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Notice of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
Education, and Economics Advisory Board Meeting

AGENCY: Research, Education, and Economics, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 
U.S.C. App., the United States Department of Agriculture announces a 
meeting of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, 
and Economics Advisory Board.

DATES: The National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and 
Economics Advisory Board will meet on March 24-26, 2003.
    The public may file written comments before or up to two weeks 
after the meeting with the contact person.

ADDRESSES: On March 24 and 25, 2003, the meeting will take place at the 
Phoenix Park Hotel, 20 North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC 20001. 
On March 26, 2003, the meeting will occur at the United States 
Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service 
(NASS), located at the South Building, 5th Floor, 4th Wing, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250.
    Written comments from the public may be sent to the Contact Person 
identified in this notice at: The National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board; Research, 
Education, and Economics Advisory Board Office, Room 344-A, Jamie L. 
Whitten Building, United States Department of Agriculture, STOP 2255, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-2255.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deborah Hanfman, Executive Director, 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics 
Advisory Board; telephone: (202) 720-3684; fax: (202) 720-6199; or e-
mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On Monday, March 24, 2003, the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory 
Board will hold a general meeting at The Phoenix Park Hotel (Phoenix 
Park Ballroom). In the morning, starting at 8:30 a.m., you will hear 
welcome remarks from the Advisory Board Chair and the USDA Under 
Secretary for Research, Education, & Economics (REE). Starting at 9 
a.m., the Advisory Board will conduct its general business with a 
special Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Update on the Peer Review 
Process of National Intramural Research Programs by an ARS Official. A 
special focus session follows at 10 a.m. that recaps Board 
Recommendations to the Secretary during the current Administration. A 
Working Lunch follows with a panel of invited congressional staff who 
will discuss agricultural research issues. At 1:30 p.m., the Board will 
convene with a special focus session on REE Relevance and Adequacy of 
Funding. Invited speakers for this session include the REE Budget 
Coordinator, and the chair of the ``Committee on Opportunities in 
Agriculture'' that conducted the study of the REE mission area under 
the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences. At 4 p.m., the Board 
will begin breakout groups to address topics related to REE relevance 
and adequacy of funding. From 7 to 9 p.m. in The Phoenix Park Hotel, a 
working dinner will be held for the Board and meeting attendees and 
include a guest speaker. The public is responsible for its own meals.
    On Tuesday, March 25, 2003, the Advisory Board will continue with 
the focus session breakout groups on the ``Relevance and Adequacy of 
Funding Review''. At 1:30 p.m., breakout groups will reconvene, report 
to the full Board on their respective findings and come to closure on 
recommendations.
    On Wednesday, March 26, 2003, the Advisory Board meeting will be 
held at USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 
facility, which is located at 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC 20036 (South Building, 5th Floor, 4th Wing). NASS will conduct the 
program and highlight their key activities.
    The Advisory Board Meeting will adjourn on Wednesday, March 26, 
2003, at 11:30 a.m. Opportunities for public comment will be available 
on March 24 around 11:45 a.m., March 25 around 4:30 p.m., and March 26 
prior to the 11:30 a.m. adjournment. Also, written comments for the 
public record will be welcomed before and up to two weeks following the 
Board meeting (by close of business Wednesday, April 9, 2003). All 
statements will become a part of the official record of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory 
Board and will be kept on file for public review in the Research, 
Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board Office.
    The findings of this Advisory Board Meeting and two Focus Sessions 
will be based on input from speakers, other stakeholders, the general 
public, and Board discussions.
    The consolidated meeting agenda is as follows:
    Location: The Phoenix Park Hotel, Phoenix Park Ballroom.

March 24--8:30 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.--Welcome Remarks. 9:10 a.m. to 9:40 
a.m.--ARS Update on National Peer Review Process of Intramural Research 
Programs.
March 24--10 a.m. to 6 p.m.--General Meeting and Focus Sessions I & II 
on Board's Previous Advice to the Secretary, and REE Relevance and 
Adequacy of Funding Review.
March 24--12 (noon) Working lunch w/congressional staff (to be 
confirmed).
March 24--1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.--Special Focus Session on REE Relevance 
and Adequacy of Funding.
March 24--7 p.m. to 9 p.m.--Working Reception w/Guest Speaker 
(Location: The Phoenix Park Hotel).
March 25--8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.--Focus Session on the Relevance and 
Adequacy Funding Review (breakout groups in the morning).
March 26--8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.--National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS) Program (Location: NASS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
NW., South Bldg., 5th Floor, 4th Wing, Washington, DC 20250.


[[Page 13253]]


    Done at Washington, DC, this 13th day of March, 2003.
Joseph J. Jen,
Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics.
[FR Doc. 03-6664 Filed 3-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-P