[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 23, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 15498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06458]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 56 / Wednesday, March 23, 2016 / 
Notices  

[[Page 15498]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Council for Native American Farming and Ranching Meeting

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 second meeting held during fiscal year 2016 and will 
consist of, but not be 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 April 4-5, 2016. The meeting will be 
open to the public on both days with time set aside for public comment 
on April 4 at approximately 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The OTR will make 
the agenda 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.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Harrah's Casino & Resort 
Hotel, 7777 Casino Drive, Cherokee, NC 28719, in the Hickory Room.
    Written Comments: Written comments may be submitted to: Dana 
Richey, Designated Federal Officer and Chief of Staff to Associate 
Administrator for Operations and Management, USDA/Farm Service Agency, 
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 the 
CNAFR Contact Person: Dana Richey, Designated Federal Officer and Chief 
of Staff to Associate Administrator for Operations and Management, 
USDA/Farm Service Agency, 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 
Farm Service Agency 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 
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 30, 2016. 
Oral presentations from the public will be heard approximately 1:30 
p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on April 4, 2016. 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 30, 2016. All oral presentations will be given three (3) to five 
(5) minutes depending on the number of participants.
    The OTR will also make the agenda 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. 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 Dana Richey, at least 10 business days in advance of the 
meeting.

Leslie Wheelock,
Director, Office of Tribal Relations.
[FR Doc. 2016-06458 Filed 3-22-16; 8:45 am]
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