[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 137 (Monday, July 18, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 42112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17982]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 137 / Monday, July 18, 2011 / 
Notices  

[[Page 42112]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Specialty Crop Committee Stakeholder Listening Sessions

AGENCY: Research, Education, and Economics, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of stakeholder listening sessions.

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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 two 
stakeholder listening sessions of the Specialty Crop Committee, under 
the auspices of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
Education, and Economics Advisory Board.

DATES: The Specialty Crop Committee will hold two stakeholder listening 
sessions July 19, 2011 from 9 a.m.- 12 noon and 3 p.m.-6 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The stakeholder listening sessions of the Specialty Crop 
Committee will take place on July 19, 2011, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the 
Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, Michigan, State University, 55 
South Harrison Avenue, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, and on July 19, 
2011, from 3-6 p.m. at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, 187 Monroe, NW., 
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503.
    The public may file written comments before or up to two weeks 
after the listening sessions with the contact person identified in this 
notice at: The National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, 
and Economics Advisory Board Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Room 3901, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC 20250-2255.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob Burk, 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: The Specialty Crop Committee was established 
in accordance with the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 
under Title III, Section 303 of Public Law 108-465. This Committee is a 
permanent committee of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
Education, and Economics Advisory Board (the Board). The Committee's 
charge is to study the scope and effectiveness of research, extension, 
and economics programs affecting the specialty crop industry. The 
congressional legislation defines ``specialty crops'' as fruits, 
vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery crops (including 
floriculture). In order to carry out its responsibilities effectively, 
the Committee is holding these stakeholder listening sessions. The 
Committee seeks stakeholder input from industry and state 
representatives, national organizations and institutions, local 
producers, agricultural researchers and extension educators, and other 
groups interested in the issues with which the Specialty Crop Committee 
is charged. Comments on measures to improve the efficiency, 
productivity, profitability and economic stability of specialty crop 
producers; on regional or national data or information needed by the 
industry to evaluate its competitive position; and on measures designed 
to improve the competitiveness of research, extension and economics 
programs affecting the industry are particularly sought. The format 
will focus on several panel sessions, each relating to one or more 
specific issues delineated in the Committee's charge. Each panel will 
be followed with questions or comments by Committee members and from 
the floor. Opportunities for brief presentations and general discussion 
from the public participants will be provided.
    Also, written comments by attendees and other interested 
stakeholders will be welcomed as additional public input before and up 
to two weeks following the listening sessions. All statements will 
become part of the official public record of the Board's Specialty Crop 
Committee.


    Done at Washington, DC, this 8th day of June 2011.
Catherine Woteki,
Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics.
[FR Doc. 2011-17982 Filed 7-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P