[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 119 (Monday, June 22, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 35625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15206]



[[Page 35625]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Notice of Solicitation of Members to the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board

AGENCY: Research, Education, and Economics, USDA.

ACTION: Solicitation for membership.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 
U.S.C. App., the United States Department of Agriculture announces 
solicitation for nominations to fill 9 vacancies on the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory 
Board.

DATES: Deadline for Advisory Board member nominations is July 31, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The nominee's name, resume, completed Form AD-755, and any 
letters of support must be submitted via one of the following methods:
    (1) Email to [email protected]; or
    (2) By mail delivery service to Thomas Vilsack, Secretary, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20250, Attn: NAREEE Advisory Board, Room 332A, Whitten Building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele Esch, Executive Director, 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics 
Advisory Board, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 332A, Whitten 
Building, Washington, DC 20250-2255, telephone: 202-720-3684; fax: 202-
720-6199; email: [email protected]. Committee Web site: 
www.nareeeab.ree.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board was established in 
1996 via Section 1408 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123) to provide advice to 
the Secretary of Agriculture and land-grant colleges and universities 
on top priorities and policies for food and agricultural research, 
education, extension and economics. Section 1408 of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3123) was amended by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2008 by deleting six membership categories in the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory 
Board, which totals 25 members. Since the Advisory Boards inception by 
congressional legislation in 1996, each member has represented a 
specific category related to farming or ranching, food production and 
processing, forestry research, crop and animal science, land-grant 
institutions, non-land grant college or university with a historic 
commitment to research in the food and agricultural sciences, food 
retailing and marketing, rural economic development, and natural 
resource and consumer interest groups, among many others. The Board was 
first appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture in September 1996 and 
one-third of its members were appointed for a one, two, and three-year 
term, respectively. The terms for 9 members who represent specific 
categories will expire September 30, 2015. Nominations for a 3-year 
appointment for these 9 vacant categories are sought. All nominees will 
be carefully reviewed for their expertise, leadership, and relevance to 
a category.
    The 9 slots to be filled are:

Category A. National Farm Organization
Category C. Food Animal Commodity Producer
Category I. National Human Health Association
Category N. Non-Land Grant College or University w/historic commitment 
to research in food and agricultural sciences
Category O. Hispanic-serving Institutions
Category Q. Transportation of Food and Agricultural Products to 
domestic and foreign markets
Category R. Food Retailing and Marketing Interests
Category S. Food and Fiber Processors
Category X. Private Sector Organization involved in International 
Development
    Nominations are solicited from organizations, associations, 
societies, councils, federations, groups, and companies that represent 
a wide variety of food and agricultural interests throughout the 
country. Nominations for one individual who fits several of the 
categories listed above, or for more than one person who fits one 
category, will be accepted. In your nomination letter, please indicate 
the specific membership category for each nominee. Each nominee must 
submit form AD-755, ``Advisory Committee Membership Background 
Information'' (which can be obtained from the contact person below or 
from: http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/AD-755_Master_2012_508%20Ver.pdf). All nominees will be vetted before 
selection.
    Nominations are open to all individuals without regard to race, 
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical 
handicap, marital status, or sexual orientation. To ensure the 
recommendation of the Advisory Board take into account the needs of the 
diverse groups served by the USDA, membership shall include, to the 
extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent 
the needs of all racial and ethnic groups, women and men, and persons 
with disabilities.
    Please note that registered lobbyist and individuals already 
serving another USDA Federal Advisory Committee, are ineligible for 
nomination.
    Appointments to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
Education, and Economics Advisory Board will be made by the Secretary 
of Agriculture.

    Done at Washington, DC, this 10th day of June 2015.
Catherine Woteki,
Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics, Chief Scientist, 
USDA.
[FR Doc. 2015-15206 Filed 6-19-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P