[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 5, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 7868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-03912]


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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. 84, No. 43 / Tuesday, March 5, 2019 / 
Notices  

[[Page 7868]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[AMS-SC-19-0020; SC19-990-1]


2018 Farm Bill Implementation Listening Session on Hemp

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In preparing to implement the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
2018 (commonly referred to as the 2018 Farm Bill), the Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS) will host a listening session for initial 
public input about a new program to regulate hemp production. The 
listening session will provide interested parties with an opportunity 
to assist the Agency's future rulemaking efforts by sharing their views 
on how the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) can partner 
with agriculture agencies representing states, territories, and Indian 
tribes to implement a nationwide program for overseeing the production 
of industrial hemp.

DATES: Listening session: The listening session will be on March 13, 
2019, and will begin at 12:00 p.m. and conclude by 3:00 p.m.
    Registration: You must register by March 11, 2019, to speak during 
the listening session and to provide oral comments during the listening 
session. Register in advance for this webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_L2G9K7cXTkayQ2O1_0AP0g. After registering, you will receive 
a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
    Comments: For those presenting comments at the online listening 
session, a written copy of your comments is due by March 11, 2019. You 
may use [email protected] to submit your written comments via 
email. AMS will make the agenda for the session available on the 
website by March 11, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Hatch; phone: (202) 720-6862 or 
email: [email protected]. Persons with disabilities who require 
alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audio tape, 
etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice 
and TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 20, 2018, the 2018 Farm Bill 
(Pub. L. 115-334) was signed into law (see https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2/text). The Secretary of Agriculture 
and the respective USDA agencies, including AMS, are working to 
implement the provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill as expeditiously as 
possible to meet the needs of producers and other stakeholders. To 
allow for public input and ensure transparency, it is important to hear 
from stakeholders regarding their priorities, concerns, and requests.
    The purpose of the listening session is for AMS to hear from the 
public; this is not a discussion with AMS officials or a question-and-
answer session. The purpose is for AMS to receive public input that the 
agency can factor into discretionary decisions that need to be made to 
implement the specific provision of the 2018 Farm Bill.
    The listening session will begin with brief opening remarks from 
AMS. Individual speakers providing oral comments will be limited to 3-5 
minutes each, depending on the number of people who register to speak. 
As noted above, we request that speakers providing oral comments also 
submit a written copy of their comments prior to the session. All 
stakeholders and interested members of the public are welcome to 
register to provide oral comments.
    Instructions for Participating in the Listening Session: Space for 
participation during the online listening session is limited to the 
first 1,000 registrants. All persons wishing to participate must submit 
their comment via email to [email protected] by March 11, 2019. In 
addition to your comment, please include the following in your 
submission:

 First and last name
 Organization
 Title
 Address (City and State)
 Email address
 Phone number

If you require special accommodations, such as a sign language 
interpreter, use the contact information above. The listening session 
location is accessible to persons with disabilities.

    Dated: February 28, 2019.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-03912 Filed 3-4-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P