[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 39 (Wednesday, February 27, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 6358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-03264]


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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), USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this 
notice announces an invitation from the Office of the Secretary of 
Agriculture for nominations to the Advisory Committee on 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 Kevin Barnes, 
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: Kevin Barnes, 
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: Kevin Barnes, Associate Administrator, 
National Agricultural Statistics Service, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 18, 2018, the Secretary of 
Agriculture renewed the Advisory Committee charter for a two-year term 
to expire on December 17, 2020. 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 agricultural reports and 
presents the views and needs for data of major suppliers and users of 
agricultural statistics.
    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.ocio.usda.gov/document/ad-755. 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 website 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 agricultural statistics activities.
    The Committee, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, consists 
of 22 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 22 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 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, February 11, 2019.
Kevin Barnes,
Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-03264 Filed 2-26-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-20-P