[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 144 (Thursday, July 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 42625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12116]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 144 / Thursday, July 27, 2006 / 
Notices  

[[Page 42625]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Notice of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
Education, and Economics Advisory Board Specialty Crop Meeting and 
Executive Committee Meeting

AGENCY: Research, Education, and Economics, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 
U.S.C. App 2, the United States Department of Agriculture announces a 
meeting of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, 
and Economics Advisory Board Specialty Crop Committee and Executive 
Committee.

DATES: The National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and 
Economics Advisory Board Specialty Crop Committee will meet on August 
24, 2006 and the Executive Committee will hold a meeting on August 25, 
2006 at the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport, Chicago, Illinois.

ADDRESSES: The public may file written comments before or up to two 
weeks after the meeting with the contact person. You may submit 
comments by any of the following methods: E-mail: 
[email protected]; Fax: (202) 720-6199; Mail/Hand-Delivery or 
Courier: 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: Shirley Morgan-Jordan, Program Support 
Coordinator, National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and 
Economics Advisory Board; Telephone: (202) 720-8408.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On Thursday, August 24, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 
4 p.m., the Specialty Crop Committee will hold a General meeting to 
study the scope and effectiveness of research, extension, and economics 
programs affecting the specialty crop industry. The purpose of 
Specialty Crop meeting is to obtain regional input on research and 
education issues of high priority focusing on ``Measures to improve the 
efficiency, productivity and profitability of specialty crop production 
in the United States; Measures designed to improve competitiveness to 
research, extension, and economics programs affecting the specialty 
crop industry; and Review research projects underway by USDA's 
Research, Education, and Economics agencies and their collaboration in 
the Land Grant Universities and other organizations.'' On Thursday, 
August 24, 2006, at 9 a.m. the focus session will begin with 
introductory remarks provided by the Chair of the Specialty Crop 
Committee. There will be brief introductions by Board members, 
incumbents, and guest officials and/or designated experts from the 
industry. Following the adjournment of the Specialty Crop Meeting, the 
Executive Committee will begin their Focus Session, on Friday, August 
25, 2006, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport, 
Chicago, Illinois. The Executive Committee will focus on highlights 
concerning the ``Farm Bill.'' After the focus sessions the Board will 
discuss and recap highlights of the previous day's focus sessions, 
followed by overall Board discussions. You will hear remarks from a 
variety of distinguished leaders and experts, organizations or 
institutions, local producers, or other groups that are interested in 
the issues with which the Specialty Crop Committee is charged. Speakers 
will suggest recommendations regarding the Specialty Crop Committee's 
role by which USDA can enhance its research, extension, education, and 
economic programs to protect our Nation's food, fiber and agricultural 
system. Opportunities for increased collaboration and partnerships 
concerning Specialty Crops with the public and private sectors will 
also be discussed. An opportunity for public comment will be offered 
after the meeting wrap-up.
    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 Friday, September 8, 2006). The 
findings of the Specialty Crop Committee and Executive Committee will 
be based on input from speakers, other stakeholders, the general 
public, and Board discussions. They will be consolidated into 
recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture and the House and 
Senate agriculture-related committee/subcommittees of the U.S. 
Congress, as well as be disseminated to the land-grant colleges and 
universities, as mandated. 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.

    Done at Washington, DC, this 24th day of July, 2006.
Gale Buchanan,
Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics.
[FR Doc. E6-12116 Filed 7-26-06; 8:45 am]
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