[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 210 (Monday, October 31, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75372-75373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26154]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Invitation for Nominations to the Advisory Committee on 
Agriculture Statistics

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Department of 
Agriculture.

ACTION: Solicitation of Nominations to the Advisory Committee on 
Agriculture Statistics.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 
U.S.C. App. 2, this notice announces an invitation from the Office of 
the Secretary of Agriculture for nominations to the Advisory Committee 
on Agriculture Statistics.
    On August 15, 2016, the Secretary of Agriculture renewed the 
Advisory Committee charter for a two-year term to expire on August 15, 
2018. The purpose of the Committee is to advise the Secretary of 
Agriculture on the scope, timing, content, etc., of the periodic 
censuses and surveys of agriculture, other related surveys, and the 
types of information to obtain from respondents concerning agriculture. 
The Committee also prepares recommendations regarding the content of 
agriculture reports and presents the views and needs for data of major 
suppliers and users of agriculture statistics.

DATES: The nomination period for interested candidates will close 30 
days after publication of this notice.

ADDRESSES: You may submit nominations by any of the following methods:
     Email: Scan the completed form and email to: 
[email protected].
     eFax: 855-493-0445.
     Mail: Nominations should be mailed to Renee Picanso, 
Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 5041 
South Building, Washington, DC 20250-2010.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: Renee Picanso, 
Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 5041 
South Building, Washington, DC 20250-2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Renee Picanso, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, (202) 720-
2707.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Each person nominated to serve on the 
committee is required to submit the following form: AD-755 (Advisory 
Committee Membership Background Information, OMB Number 0505-0001), 
available on the Internet at https://www.nass.usda.gov/About_NASS/Advisory_Committee_on_Agriculture_Statistics/AD-755.pdf. This form may 
also be requested by telephone, fax, or email using the information 
above. Completed forms may be faxed to the number above, mailed, or 
completed and emailed directly from the Internet site. For more 
information on the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics, see 
the NASS Web site at https://www.nass.usda.gov/About_NASS/Advisory_Committee_on_Agriculture_Statistics/index.php. The Committee 
draws on the experience and expertise of its members to form a 
collective judgment concerning agriculture data collected and the 
statistics issued by NASS. This input is vital to keep current with 
shifting data needs in the rapidly changing agricultural environment 
and keeps NASS informed of emerging issues in the agriculture community 
that can affect agriculture statistics activities.
    The Committee, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, consists 
of 20 members representing a broad range of disciplines and interests, 
including, but not limited to, producers, representatives of national 
farm organizations, agricultural economists, rural sociologists, farm 
policy analysts, educators, State agriculture representatives, and 
agriculture-related business and marketing experts.
    Members serve staggered 2-year terms, with terms for half of the 
Committee members expiring in any given year. Nominations are being 
sought for 10 open Committee seats. Members can serve up to 3 terms for 
a total of 6 consecutive years. The Chairperson of the Committee shall 
be elected by members to serve a 1-year term.
    Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies, will be 
followed in all membership appointments to the Committee. To ensure 
that the recommendations of the Committee have taken into account the 
needs of the diverse groups served by USDA, membership will include to 
the extent possible, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent 
the needs of all racial and ethnic groups, women and men, and persons 
with disabilities.
    The duties of the Committee are solely advisory. The Committee will 
make recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture with regards to 
the agricultural statistics programs of NASS, and such other matters as 
it may deem advisable, or which the Secretary of Agriculture; Under 
Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics; or

[[Page 75373]]

the Administrator of NASS may request. The Committee will meet at least 
annually. All meetings are open to the public. Committee members are 
reimbursed for official travel expenses only.
    Send questions, comments, and requests for additional information 
to the email address, fax number, or address listed above.

    Signed at Washington, DC, October 20, 2016.
R. Renee Picanso,
Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-26154 Filed 10-28-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-20-P