[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 48 (Thursday, March 12, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 12975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05643]



[[Page 12975]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Office of Tribal Relations; 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 2014-2016 CNAFR term and will consist 
of, but is not limited to: a public comment period; updates on USDA 
programs and activities; and discussion of committee priorities. This 
meeting will be open to the public.

DATES: The meeting will be held on March 25th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 
p.m. and March 26th from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and March 27th from 
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be open to the public. Note 
that a period for public comment will be held on March 25, 2015, from 
2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting and public comment period will be held at the 
Hilton Garden Inn Oklahoma City Bricktown, 328 East Sheridan Avenue, 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104 in the Cimarron-Red River Combo Room.
    Written Comments: Written comments may be submitted to: John 
Lowery, Designated Federal Officer, 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, Designated Federal Officer, Office of Tribal (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.
    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 
September 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 
before March 20, 2015. Oral presentations from the public will be 
scheduled between approximately 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on March 25th. 
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 March 25, 2015. All oral presentations will be 
given three (3) to five (5) minutes depending on the number of 
participants.
    OTR will also make meeting room and 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.

Leslie Wheelock,
Director, Office of Tribal Relations.
[FR Doc. 2015-05643 Filed 3-11-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-05-P