[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 25, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 43571]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18088]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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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 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 143 / Wednesday, July 25, 2012 / 
Notices  

[[Page 43571]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Council for Native American Farming and Ranching

AGENCY: Office of Tribal Relations, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of The Council for 
Native American Farming and Ranching (CNAFR) a public advisory 
committee of the Office of Tribal Relations (OTR). Notice of the 
meetings are provided in accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2). This 
will be the inaugural meeting of the CNAFR and will consist of, but not 
limited to, election of officers, acceptance of committee by-laws, and 
overview of USDA farm programs. This meeting will be open to the 
public.

DATES: The meeting will be held on August 14, 2012 and August 15, 2012 
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The meetings are open to the public on both days. 
Note that a period for public comment will be held on August 15, from 
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Smithsonian's National 
Museum of the American Indian, 4th St and Independence Ave. SW., 
Washington, DC 20024. The meeting will be held in the Patrons Lounge.
    Written Comments: Written comments may be submitted to: Joanna 
Mounce Stancil, Designated Federal Officer, Director, Office of Tribal 
Relations (OTR), 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Whitten Bldg., 500-A, 
Washington, DC 20250; by Fax: (202) 720-1058; or by email: 
[email protected]. All written comments must be received by 
July 31, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be directed to John 
Lowery, Management Analyst, OTR, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Whitten 
Bldg., 500A, Washington, DC 20250; by Fax: (202) 720-1058 or email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the provisions of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2), 
USDA established an advisory Council for Native American farmers and 
ranchers. The Council is a discretionary advisory committee established 
under the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture, in furtherance of 
the settlement agreement in Keepseagle v. Vilsack that was granted 
final approval by the District Court for the District of Columbia on 
April 28, 2011.
    The Council will operate under the provisions of the FACA and 
report to the Secretary of Agriculture. The purpose of the Council is 
(1) to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on issues related to the 
participation of Native American farmers and ranchers in USDA farm loan 
programs; (2) to transmit recommendations concerning any changes to FSA 
regulations or internal guidance or other measures that would eliminate 
barriers to program participation for Native American farmers and 
ranchers; (3) to examine methods of maximizing the number of new 
farming and ranching opportunities created through the farm loan 
program through enhanced extension and financial literacy services; (4) 
to examine methods of encouraging intergovernmental cooperation to 
mitigate the effects of land tenure and probate issues on the delivery 
of USDA farm loan programs; (5) to evaluate other methods of creating 
new farming or ranching opportunities for Native American producers; 
and (6) to address other related issues as deemed appropriate.
    The Secretary of Agriculture selected a diverse group of members 
representing a broad spectrum of persons interested in providing 
solutions to the challenges of the aforementioned purposes. Equal 
opportunity practices were considered in all appointments to the 
Committee in accordance with USDA policies. The Secretary selected the 
members in May 2012. Interested persons may present views, orally or in 
writing, on issues relating to agenda topics before the council.
    Written submissions may be submitted to the contact person on or 
before August 5, 2012. Oral presentations from the public will be 
scheduled between approximately 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on August 15, 
2012. Those individuals interested in making formal oral presentations 
should notify the contact person and submit a brief statement of the 
general nature of the issue they wish to present and the names and 
addresses of proposed participants. Each person giving public comment 
will have three (3) minutes. The contact person will notify interested 
persons regarding their request to speak by August 5, 2012. The 
deadline to submit comments is July 31, 2012.
    OTR will also make all agenda topics available to the public via 
the OTR Web site: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=OTR no later than 10 business days before the meeting 
and at the meeting. In addition, the minutes from the meeting will be 
posted on the OTR Web site. OTR welcomes the attendance of the public 
at the CNAFR meetings and will make every effort to accommodate persons 
with physical disabilities or special needs. If you require special 
accommodations due to a disability, please contact John Lowery, at 
least 10 business days in advance of the meeting.

    Dated: July 19, 2012.
Joanna Mounce Stancil,
Director Office of Tribal Relations.
[FR Doc. 2012-18088 Filed 7-24-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P