[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 172 (Friday, September 5, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53015-53016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21181]


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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 first meeting of the 2014-2016 CNAFR term and will consist 
of, but not limited to: Hearing public comments; update of USDA 
programs and activities; and discussion of committee priorities. This 
meeting will be open to the public.

DATES: The meeting will be held on September 25th, 2014 from 9:30 a.m. 
to 5 p.m. and September 26th, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The meeting 
will be open to the public on both days. Note that a period for public 
comment will be held on September 26th, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Washington--
Capitol, 550 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20024. The public comment 
period and CNAFR meeting will take place within the Holiday Inn 
Washington--Capitol's House Meeting Room.
    Written Comments: Written comments may be submitted to: John 
Lowery, Designated Federal Officer, Tribal Relations Manager, Office of 
Tribal Relations (OTR), 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Whitten Bldg., 501-
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., 501-A, 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 Keepseagle v. Vilsack settlement agreement that was granted final 
approval by the District Court for the District of Columbia on April 
28, 2011.
    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 by USDA farm loan programs 
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 
August 2014. 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

[[Page 53016]]

before September 19th, 2014. Oral presentations from the public will be 
heard between approximately 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on September 26th, 
2014. 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 September 19th, 2014. 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: August 29, 2014.
John Lowery,
Federal Designated Officer, Office of Tribal Relations.
[FR Doc. 2014-21181 Filed 9-4-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P