[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 24, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17788-17789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-08529]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 79 / Tuesday, April 24, 2018 / 
Notices  

[[Page 17788]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Document Number AMS-SC-18-0014]


Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of reestablishment of the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee and second 
request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) intends to 
reestablish the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee 
(FVIAC). The purpose of the FVIAC is to examine the full spectrum of 
issues faced by the fruit and vegetable industry and provide 
recommendations and ideas to the Secretary on how USDA can tailor its 
programs to better meet the needs of the fruit and vegetable industry. 
USDA also seeks additional nominations of individuals to be considered 
for selection to the FVIAC. Nominees who answered the first call for 
nominations published in Federal Register on August 2, 2017, need not 
reapply. All 25 positions on the FVIAC will be filled. All previous 
members must apply.

DATES: Written nominations must be postmarked on or before May 24, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: Nomination applications can be sent via email to Marlene 
Betts at [email protected] or Valerie Minick at 
[email protected], or mailed to: USDA-AMS-SCP, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Room 2077-S, Stop 0235, Washington, DC 20250-
0235. Electronic submittals are preferred.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marlene Betts (202) 720-5057; Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. 2), notice is hereby given that the Secretary 
of Agriculture intends to reestablish the FVIAC for two years. The 
purpose of the FVIAC is to examine the full spectrum of issues faced by 
the fruit and vegetable industry and provide recommendations and ideas 
to the Secretary on how USDA can tailor its programs to better meet the 
fruit and vegetable industry's needs.
    The Deputy Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service's 
Specialty Crops Program will serve as the FVIAC Executive Secretary. 
Representatives from USDA mission areas and agencies affecting the 
fruit and vegetable industry will be called upon to participate in the 
FVIAC's meetings as determined by the FVIAC Executive Secretary and the 
FVIAC.
    Industry members are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and 
will serve staggered terms of up to 2 years. Approximately half of the 
FVIAC will serve a one-year term, with the remainder serving a two-year 
term. No member can serve more than six consecutive years. FVIAC 
membership consists of no more than 25 members who represent the fruit 
and vegetable industry, and will include individuals representing fruit 
and vegetable growers/shippers, fruit and vegetable wholesalers/
distributors, brokers, retailers/restaurant representatives, fresh-cut 
and other fruit and vegetable processors, and foodservice suppliers. It 
should also include individuals representing farmers markets and food 
hubs, organic and non-organic fruit and vegetable representatives, and 
representatives from state departments of agriculture, farmer 
organizations, and produce trade associations.
    Through this Notice and the Notice published on August 2, 2017 (82 
FR 35926), the USDA seeks to fulfill two goals. Firstly, it is seeking 
additional nominations to fill all twenty-five (25) seats on the FVIAC. 
Due to the timing of the publication of renewal notice (83 FR 35926), 
and the expiration of the members' terms, it was determined that the 
FVIAC charter be reestablished and all 25 positions on the FVIAC be 
filled. Therefore, we are calling for additional nominees to fill all 
positions on the FVIAC. Previous FVIAC members must apply to be 
considered. The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint one person to 
each of these twenty-five (25) positions. Approximately one-half of the 
FVIAC will serve a 1-year term and the remainder of the FVIAC will 
serve a 2-year term.
    Secondly, the USDA is seeking nominations to fill future unexpected 
vacancies in any of the position categories. These nominations will be 
held as a pool of candidates that the Secretary of Agriculture can draw 
upon as replacement appointees if unexpected vacancies occur. A person 
appointed to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the term of 
the vacant position.
    The Secretary of Agriculture invites those individuals, 
organizations, and groups affiliated with the categories listed above 
to nominate individuals or themselves for membership on the FVIAC. 
Nominations should describe and document the proposed member's fruit 
and vegetable industry qualifications for membership to the FVIAC. The 
Secretary of Agriculture seeks a diverse group of members representing 
a broad spectrum of persons interested in providing suggestions and 
ideas on how USDA can tailor its programs to meet the fruit and 
vegetable industry's needs.
    To nominate yourself or someone else, please submit the following: 
A resume (required), Form AD-755 (required), which can be accessed at: 
https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/facas-advisory-councils/fviac/nominations, a cover letter, and a list of endorsements or letters of 
recommendation (optional). Resumes must be no longer than 5 pages, and 
should include a summary of the following information: Current and past 
organization affiliations; areas of expertise; education; career 
positions held; any other notable positions held.
    Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all appointments to 
the FVIAC in accordance with USDA policies. To ensure that FVIAC 
recommendations take into account the needs of the diverse groups 
served by USDA, membership shall include, to the extent practicable, 
individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, 
persons with disabilities and limited resource agriculture producers.
    The information collection requirements concerning the nomination 
process have been previously cleared by the Office of

[[Page 17789]]

Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control No. 0505-0001.

    Dated: April 19, 2018.
Bruce Summers,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-08529 Filed 4-23-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P