[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70493-70494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27568]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Institute of Food and Agriculture


Solicitation of Input From Stakeholders on the Federally 
Recognized Tribes Extension Program--FRTEP

AGENCY: National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA.

ACTION: Request for written stakeholder input.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is 
requesting written stakeholder input on the Federally Recognized Tribes 
Extension Program (FRTEP).
    The purpose of this Notice is to assist NIFA in developing the FY 
2021 Request for Applications for the Federally Recognized Tribes 
Extension Program. NIFA plans to consider all stakeholder input 
received in response to this Notice.

DATES: Written comments on this Notice must be received by February 15, 
2020, to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NIFA-2020-0001, 
through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Include NIFA-2020-0001 
in the subject line of the message.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the Title, 
``Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program'' and NIFA-2020-0001. 
All comments received will be posted to http://www.regulations.gov, 
including any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Riley 816-926-2131 (phone), 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The program is authorized under Section 3(d) 
of the Act of May 8, 1914, Smith-Lever Act, ch. 79, 38, Stat. 372, 7 
U.S.C. 341 et seq. Section 7609 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
2018 (Pub. L. 115-334) amended section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act to 
allow 1994 Land-grant Institutions eligibility to receive FRTEP grant 
funds.
    Background and Summary: Section 7609 of the Agriculture Improvement 
Act of 2018 added 1994 Land-grant Institutions as eligible to receive 
Smith-

[[Page 70494]]

Lever 3(d) funding, including grants under the Federally Recognized 
Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP).
    Previously, only 1862 and 1890 Land-grant Institutions were 
eligible to receive FRTEP grants. The grant competition for FRTEP is 
run every four years, and a new competition is scheduled for fiscal 
year (FY) 2021. NIFA is using this opportunity to gather stakeholder 
feedback for the next open competition in FY 2021.
    The purpose of this program is to establish an Extension presence 
and support Extension outreach on Federally Recognized Indian 
Reservations and Tribal jurisdictions of Federally Recognized Tribes. 
FRTEP seeks to continue the Land Grant mission of inclusion by 
providing education and research-based knowledge to those who might not 
otherwise receive it.

    Program Priorities Have Included:
a. Tribal Youth and 4-H
b. Indian Farmer and Rancher Productivity and Management
c. Indian Community Development:
     Economic and Workforce Development
     Food Systems, Farm and Community Markets
     Natural Resource Conservation and Adaptation to 
Environmental Changes
     Human Nutrition and Reduction of Childhood and Adolescent 
Obesity
     Indian Cultural and Language Preservation

Effective Extension involves identifying and attracting funds and 
resources to support an ever-changing and growing portfolio of 
activities in response to identified community needs. As a result, it 
is understood that applicants will work towards a comprehensive 
Extension plan and engage in both direct and indirect activities in 
support of their proposed programs. Examples of funded direct program 
activities include, but are not limited to, needs assessments, 
educational workshops, site visits, producer demonstration projects and 
cultural-learning events. Funded indirect activities have included, but 
are not limited to: Extending partnerships, expanding communication 
networks, and acquiring additional resources in support of the overall 
goals and objectives of the proposed project.

    Done at Washington, DC, this 18th day of November 2019.
Stephen Censky,
Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2019-27568 Filed 12-20-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-22-P