[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 173 (Monday, September 8, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53163-53164]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21244]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of Advocacy and Outreach


Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Office of Advocacy and Outreach, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the 
Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) is announcing a meeting of the 
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Advisory Committee (Committee). The 
Committee is being convened to consider issues involving 
communications, service, and advocacy in identifying barriers for 
beginning farmers and ranchers. They will also consider issues around 
lending and credit in parsing statistics generated by USDA. Finally, 
the members will be drafting agency program-specific recommendations.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 23-
24, 2014, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CST. There will be time allotted at 
the end of each day from 4:00-4:30 p.m. for public comments. All 
persons wishing to make comments during this meeting must check-in 
between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on both days at the registration table. 
All public commenters will be allowed a maximum of three minutes. If 
the number of registrants requesting to speak is greater than what can 
be reasonably accommodated during the scheduled open public hearing 
timeframe, a lottery will be implemented to determine the speakers for 
the scheduled open public comment session.

ADDRESSES: This public advisory committee meeting will be held at the 
Austin Marriott South, 4415 S. IH-35, Austin, TX 78744. Complimentary 
parking is available on site. There is also a short-term drop-off area 
directly in front of the entrance to the hotel property. There will be 
signs in the main lobby of the hotel noting the meeting room 
assignments.
    A listen-only conference call line will be available from 9:00 a.m. 
through 5:00 p.m. CST each day for all who wish to listen in on the 
proceeding through the following telephone number: (888) 942-8514 and 
enter passcode 6697201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be directed to 
Phyllis Morgan, Executive Assistant, OAO, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., 
Whitten Bldg., 520-A, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (202) 720-6350, Fax: 
(202) 720-7136, email: [email protected].
    Public written comments for the Committee's consideration may be 
submitted, by close of business September 17, 2014, to Mrs. Kenya 
Nicholas, Designated Federal Official, USDA OAO, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., Room 520-A, Washington, DC 20250-0170, Phone (202) 720-
6350, Fax (202) 720-7136, Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FACA requires that notices for advisory 
committee meetings be published in the Federal Register at a minimum of 
15 days prior to the meeting date. The Committee recently met in Davis, 
California to consider the efficiency and value of programs and 
policies of the Department's programs affecting new farmers and 
ranchers. The Farm Service Agency, Natural Resource Conservation 
Service, Rural Development, Marketing and Regulatory Programs (Organic 
and Sustainable Agriculture), and the Agricultural Marketing Service 
put specific questions before the Committee as a context for the 
recommendations. In addition to finalizing those recommendations, the 
Committee may also be asked to consider new inquiries from these 
programs on policies that affect beginning farmers and ranchers. 
Representatives from all agencies represented at the June 2014 meeting 
will be available (on-call via teleconference) to respond to any 
clarifying questions the Committee may have. Please visit our Web site 
at: http://

[[Page 53164]]

www.outreach.usda.gov/smallbeginning/index.htm for additional 
information on this advisory committee.
    The public is asked to pre-register for the meeting at least 10 
business days prior to the meeting. You may pre-register for the public 
meeting at http://www.outreach.usda.gov/committees/ACBFR.htm by 
clicking on the BFR Meeting Sign Up button or submit an email to 
[email protected] with your name, organization or affiliation, 
comments, or any questions for the Committee's consideration. You may 
also fax this information to (202) 720-7136. Members of the public who 
request to give comments to the Committee must arrive between 8:30 a.m. 
and 9:00 a.m. on either day of the meeting and register (confirm) at 
the check-in table.
    Availability of Materials for the Meeting: Please visit the 
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Web site for the full agenda. All agenda 
topics and documents will be made available to the public at: http://www.outreach.usda.gov/smallbeginning/index.htm. Copies of the agenda 
will also be distributed at the meeting.
    Meeting Accommodations: USDA is committed to ensuring that everyone 
is accommodated in our work environment, programs, and events. If you 
are a person with a disability and request reasonable accommodations to 
participate in this meeting, please note the request in your 
registration and you may contact Mrs. Kenya Nicholas in advance of the 
meeting by or before close of business September 17, 2014, by phone 
(202) 720-6350, fax (202) 720-7136, or email: [email protected].

    Issued in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of September, 2014.
Christian Obineme,
Associate Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach.
[FR Doc. 2014-21244 Filed 9-5-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P