[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 58 (Monday, March 26, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12938-12939]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06037]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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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. 83, No. 58 / Monday, March 26, 2018 / 
Notices  

[[Page 12938]]



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.

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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 (BFRAC). USDA 
Secretary Perdue has outlined a bold agenda to help support farmers and 
ranchers that includes: Maximizing the ability of farmers and ranchers 
to produce and thrive as businesses, enhancing USDA's customer service, 
ensuring a food secure nation, and effectively stewarding our natural 
resources. Together, these principals will usher in empowerment among 
those in the rural agricultural communities, business growth and 
prosperity, and bright futures for the next generation for farmers and 
ranchers. The BFRAC will be pivotal in its liaison role that informs 
and advises the Secretary of actions that may be taken to further rural 
agriculture growth and support for our next generation of farmers and 
ranchers. The BFRAC will help ready the USDA to stay relevant for the 
next generation of customers and assist them with the challenges of 
today and those they will face in coming years.
    During this public meeting, the BFRAC will deliberate upon matters 
focused on, including but not limited to, the following: (1) 
Marketplace; (2) Monitoring and Evaluation; (3) Partnerships; and (4) 
Veteran farmers and ranchers.
    From these topics the BFRAC will deliberate and form its final set 
of recommendations for the current term. The BFRAC specifically seeks 
to engage and hear directly from a broad cross-section of beginning 
farmers, particularly from those farmers and ranchers in Florida (and 
neighboring states) on their experiences, pathways, and challenges as 
they entered into farming or ranching. We will want to hear about what 
was helpful, successful pathways, and barriers of entry or other 
challenges. We encourage all from the region to attend, including those 
from organizations who support farmers and ranchers--seeking a large 
cross-section of farm type or farm size, geographic and ethnic 
diversity, and supporting organizations.

DATES: The BFRAC meeting will begin on April 3, 2018 (half-day), from 
1:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. EST; and on April 4-5, 2018, from 8:30-5:00 p.m. 
This notice is less than the 15-day requirement due to unexpected 
procurement actions. A listen-only conference call line will be 
available for all who wish to listen in on the proceeding by phone at: 
(888) 455-1685 and passcode 7087935. There will be time allotted each 
day for comments from those attending. All persons wishing to make 
comments during this meeting must check-in each day at the registration 
table. If the number of registrants requesting to speak is greater than 
what can be reasonably accommodated during the scheduled open public 
hearing session timeframe, OAO may conduct a lottery to determine the 
speakers for the scheduled public comment session.

ADDRESSES: This meeting will be held at the Tampa Marriott Westshore, 
1001 N Westshore Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33607. You may reach the 
hotel directly on (813) 287-2555 or visit: www.marriott.com/tpawe. A 
listen-only conference call line will be available for all who wish to 
listen in on the proceeding by phone at: (888) 455-1685 and passcode 
7087935.

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, (202) 720-6350, Fax: (202) 
720-7704, or email: [email protected].
    Written comments for the Committee's consideration may be 
submitted, by or before COB March 29, 2018, to Mrs. Kenya Nicholas, 
Designated Federal Officer, USDA OAO, 1400 Independence Avenue, Room 
520-A, Washington, DC 20250-0170; Telephone (202) 720-6350; Fax (202) 
720-7704; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Committee was established pursuant to 
Section 5 of the Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992. The 
Secretary of Agriculture selected a diverse group of members 
representing a broad spectrum of persons interested in providing 
solutions to the challenges of new farmers and ranchers. Please visit 
our website at: http://www.outreach.usda.gov/smallbeginning/index.htm 
for additional information on the advisory committee.
    Register for the Meeting: The public is asked to pre-register for 
the meeting by March 29, 2018. Your pre-registration must state: The 
names of each person in your group; organization or interest 
represented; the number of people planning to give oral comments, if 
any; and whether anyone in your group requires special accommodations. 
Submit registrations to Kenya Nicholas via email at: 
[email protected] or via fax at (202) 720-7704 by March 29, 
2018. Members of the public who request to give oral comments to the 
Committee, will be given their allotted time limit and turn at the 
check-in table. Please remember that the comments given will be added 
to the committee records and will not be an opportunity to interact 
with the committee members.
    Public Comments: Written public comments may be mailed to Kenya 
Nicholas, DFO, MS-0601, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250 or submitted via fax at (202) 720-7704 or email at 
[email protected]. All written comments must arrive by March 
29, 2018, and may be read into the record. To make public comments 
during the meeting, see instructions under `Register for the Meeting' 
above.
    Availability of Materials for the Meeting: All written public 
comments will be compiled and available for review at the meeting. 
Duplicate comments from multiple individuals will appear as one 
comment, with a notation that multiple copies of the comment were 
received. The final agenda will be available to the public via the OAO 
website at: http://www.outreach.usda.gov/smallbeginning/index.htm.

[[Page 12939]]

    Meeting Accommodations: USDA is committed to ensuring that all are 
included 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. All requests are managed on a case-by-case basis.

    Issued at Washington, DC, on March 16, 2018.
Christian Obineme,
Acting Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach.
[FR Doc. 2018-06037 Filed 3-23-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P