[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 159 (Monday, August 18, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 49432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21038]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Invitation for Nominations to the Advisory Committee on 
Agriculture Statistics

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA.

ACTION: Solicitation of nominations for Advisory Committee on 
Agriculture Statistics membership.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 
U.S.C. App. 2, this notice announces an invitation from the Office of 
the Secretary of Agriculture for nominations to the Advisory Committee 
on Agriculture Statistics.
    On January 13, 2003, the Secretary of Agriculture renewed the 
Advisory Committee charter for another 2 years. The purpose of the 
Committee is to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the scope, 
timing, content, etc., of the periodic censuses and surveys of 
agriculture, other related surveys, and the types of information to 
obtain from respondents concerning agriculture. The Committee also 
prepares recommendations regarding the content of agriculture reports 
and presents the views and needs for data of major suppliers and users 
of agriculture statistics.

DATES: Nominations must be received by September 17, 2003 to be assured 
of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be mailed to Carol House, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 4117 
South Building, Washington, DC 20250-2000. In addition, nominations may 
be mailed electronically to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol House, Associate Administrator, 
National Agricultural Statistics Service, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Nominations should include the following 
information: name, title, organization, address, telephone number, and 
e-mail address. In addition to mailed correspondence to the addresses 
listed above, nominations may also be faxed to (202) 720-9013, OR 
telephoned to Carol House, Associate Administrator, NASS, at (202) 720-
4333. Each person nominated is required to complete an Advisory 
Committee Membership Background Information form. This form may be 
requested by telephone, fax, or e-mail using the information above. 
Forms will also be available from the NASS Home page http://www.usda.gov/nass by selecting ``Agency Information,'' ``Advisory 
Committee on Agriculture Statistics.'' Completed forms may be faxed to 
the number above, mailed, or completed and e-mailed directly from the 
Internet site.
    The Committee draws on the experience and expertise of its members 
to form a collective judgment concerning agriculture data collected and 
the statistics issued by NASS. This input is vital to keep current with 
shifting data needs in the rapidly changing agricultural environment 
and keep NASS informed of emerging issues in the agriculture community 
that can affect agriculture statistics activities.
    The Committee, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, consists 
of 25 members representing a broad range of disciplines and interests, 
including, but not limited to, representatives of national farm 
organizations, agricultural economists, rural sociologists, farm policy 
analysts, educators, State agriculture representatives, and 
agriculture-related business and marketing experts.
    Members serve staggered 2-year terms, with terms for half of the 
Committee members expiring in any given year. Nominations are being 
sought for 13 open Committee seats. Members can serve up to 3 terms for 
a total of 6 consecutive years. The Chairperson of the Committee shall 
be elected by members to serve a 1-year term.
    Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies, will be 
followed in all membership appointments to the Committee. To ensure 
that the recommendations of the Committee have taken into account the 
needs of the diverse groups served by USDA, membership shall include, 
to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to 
represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
    The duties of the Committee are solely advisory. The Committee will 
make recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture with regards to 
the agricultural statistics program of NASS, and such other matters as 
it may deem advisable, or which the Secretary of Agriculture, Under 
Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, or the Administrator 
of NASS may request. The Committee will meet at least annually. All 
meetings are open to the public. Committee members are reimbursed for 
official travel expenses only.
    Send questions, comments, and requests for additional information 
to the e-mail address, fax number, or address listed above.

    Signed at Washington, DC, August 5, 2003.
R. Ronald Bosecker,
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 03-21038 Filed 8-15-03; 8:45 am]
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