[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 189 (Friday, September 30, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 57249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19706]


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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.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the 
United States Department of Agriculture announces a meeting of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics 
Advisory Board. This meeting is open to the general public.

DATES: The National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and 
Economics Advisory Board will meet October 18-20, 2005.
    The public may file written comments before or up to two weeks 
after the meeting with the contact person.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at the Best Western Capitol 
Skyline Hotel, 10 I Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024-4299. You may 
submit comments by any of the following methods: Mail/Hand-delivery: 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics 
Advisory Board Office; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Room 344-A, 
Jamie L. Whitten Building; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC 20250-2255; Fax: (202) 720-6199; E-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deborah Hanfman, Executive Director, 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics 
Advisory Board, (202) 720-3684.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On Tuesday, October 18, 2005, 10 a.m. to 12 
p.m., an Orientation Session for new National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board (the Board) members 
will be held. The full Board meeting will convene at 1:30 p.m. with 
introductory remarks provided by the Chair of the Board and U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials. There will be introductions 
of Board members followed by a general Board business session, and 
election of Executive Committee officers. The Research, Education, and 
Economics (REE) mission area will respond on behalf of the Secretary to 
several Board recommendations made to USDA and REE over the past year, 
followed by Board questions and discussion. At 4 p.m., a professional 
staff member from the Agriculture Committee or Appropriations 
Subcommittee of U.S. Congress will be invited to provide perspectives 
on key food, fiber, and agricultural-related issues in Congress and 
share ideas on the Board's future role. This will be followed with 
comments on the 2007 Farm Bill as it relates to REE issues. A period 
will be open for public comments, and the meeting will adjourn at 5 
p.m. An evening meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on 
``Critical Crossroads in Agriculture: Implications & Expectations for 
Research, Education, Extension & Economics.'' Focus leaders will 
stimulate discussion on three specific mini-sessions within this theme: 
(1) Mitigating the Risk of Emerging Diseases Transmissible to Humans; 
(2) Changes in Rural America and Links to Research, Education, and 
Economics; and (3) Strengthening Partnerships. USDA's National 
Agricultural Library (NAL) will feature its role in serving REE, USDA, 
Land-Grant partners, and the Nation's citizenry on critical food, 
fiber, natural resources, and forestry issues.
    On Wednesday, October 19, 2005, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the three 
mini-sessions will be held to obtain expert input by stakeholders on 
the respective focus areas, with emphasis on the role that USDA's 
research, education, and economics can plan in addressing the issues. 
The floor will be open for public comments from 5:35 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. 
followed by adjournment.
    On Thursday, October 20, 2005, there will be an important wrap-up 
of initial findings from the three mini focus sessions held the prior 
day, followed by public comments and adjournment of the Board meeting 
at 9 a.m. The Board's Specialty Crop Committee will hold an information 
gathering Listening Session following the Board Meeting. The Listening 
Session will be from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and on Friday, October 20, 
2005, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the same hotel location in 
Washington, DC (see 70 FR 54350 September 14, 2005). Expert panelists 
will provide input on specific topics related to specialty crops and 
will suggest ways that research, extension, and economics can best 
support the needs of the specialty crop industry. The Listening Session 
will provide the Specialty Crop Committee with input to respond to its 
charge by Congress. Board members and interested individuals are 
encouraged to attend both public meetings.
    Written comments by attendees or other interested stakeholders will 
be welcomed for the public record before and up to two weeks following 
the Board meeting (by close of business Thursday, November 3, 2005). 
All statements will become a part of the official record of the Board 
and will be kept on file for public review in the Board's office. For a 
copy of the draft agenda, please get in touch with the contact person 
cited above.

    Done at Washington, DC this 28th day of September, 2005.
Merle D. Pierson,
Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics.
[FR Doc. 05-19706 Filed 9-29-05; 8:45 am]
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