[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 75 (Thursday, April 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23206-23207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09051]


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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 third meeting of the CNAFR and will consist of, but not 
limited to: hearing public comments; update of USDA programs and 
activities; discussion of committee priorities. This meeting will be 
open to the public.

DATES: The meeting will be held on May 3, 2013 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
EST. The meeting will be open to the public. Note that a period for 
public comment will be held on May 3, 2013 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be conducted using webinar and 
teleconference technology. This will not be an in-person meeting. 
Webinar and teleconference access information for the meeting will be 
posted to the OTR Web site at www.usda.gov/tribalrelations.
    Written Comments: Written comments may be submitted to: John 
Lowery, Tribal Relations Manager, 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].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be directed to John 
Lowery, Tribal Relations Manager, 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 CNAFR 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.

[[Page 23207]]

    The CNAFR will operate under the provisions of the FACA and report 
to the Secretary of Agriculture. The purpose of the CNAFR 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 CNAFR 
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 CNAFR.
    Written submissions may be submitted to the contact person on or 
before April 26, 2013. Oral presentations from the public will be 
scheduled between approximately 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on May 3, 2013. 
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 by April 26, 2013. All oral presentations will be 
given three (3) to five (5) minutes depending on the number of 
participants.
    OTR will also make all agenda topics available to the public via 
the OTR Web site: http://www.usda.gov/tribalrelations 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: April 4, 2013.
Max Finberg,
Acting Director, Office of Tribal Relations.
[FR Doc. 2013-09051 Filed 4-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P