[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 4 (Thursday, January 7, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1083-1084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-29077]


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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. 86, No. 4 / Thursday, January 7, 2021 / 
Notices  

[[Page 1083]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Establishment of the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production 
Advisory Committee and Solicitation of Nominations for Membership on 
the Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States 
Department of Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of USDA announces the establishment of the Urban 
Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (Urban Ag 
Advisory Committee). The Committee will advise the Secretary on the 
development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and 
other emerging agricultural production practices; and other aspects of 
the implementation section of Subtitle A, Section 222 of the 
Reorganization Act of 1994. This notice also solicits nominations for 
membership on the Urban Ag Advisory Committee.

DATES: January 7, 2021.

ADDRESSES: We will consider nominations that are postmarked by March 8, 
2021 to Ronald Harris, Designated Federal Officer, Director of Outreach 
and Partnerships, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6006-S, Washington, DC 
20250; or send by email to: [email protected]. Ronald Harris, as 
the Designated Federal Officer will acknowledge receipt of nominations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald Harris; telephone: (202) 720-
6646; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Urban Ag Advisory Committee Purpose

    Section 12302 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 
115-334, the 2018 Farm Bill) directs the Secretary of the USDA to 
establish an ``Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory 
Committee'' to advise the Secretary on the development of policies and 
outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural 
production practices; and any other aspects of the implementation of 
section 222 of the Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-354). The 
Urban Ag Advisory Committee will advise the Secretary of Agriculture on 
the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and 
other emerging agricultural production practices; and will further 
develop recommendations.
    In addition, the Urban Ag Advisory Committee will advise the 
Director of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production 
on policies, initiatives, and outreach administered by that office. The 
Urban Ag Advisory Committee will evaluate and review ongoing research 
and extension activities relating to urban, indoor, and other 
innovative agricultural practices; identify new and existing barriers 
to successful urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production 
practices; and provide additional assistance and provide advice to the 
Director as appropriate.

Urban Ag Advisory Committee Membership

    The Urban Ag Advisory Committee is expected to meet not less than 3 
times each year, with meetings held at various locations across the 
United States. There will be 12 members appointed to the Urban Ag 
Advisory Committee. Of the members first appointed to this Urban Ag 
Advisory Committee, as determined by the Secretary:
     4 of the members will be appointed for a term of 3 years;
     4 of the members will be appointed for a term of 2 years; 
and
     4 of the members will be appointed for a term of 1 year.
    Future members will be appointed for a term of 3 years. An initial 
appointee of the Urban Ag Advisory Committee may serve an additional 
consecutive term if the member is reappointed by the Secretary.
    The Urban Ag Advisory Committee will be composed of individuals 
representing a broad spectrum of the following representation:
    [cir] 4 agricultural producers, of whom--
    [cir] 2 are agricultural producers in an urban area or urban 
cluster; and
    [cir] agricultural producers who use innovative technology;
     2 representatives from an institution of higher education 
or extension program;
     1 representative of a nonprofit organization, which may 
include a public health, environmental, or community organization;
     1 representative of business and economic development, 
which may include a business development entity, a chamber of commerce, 
a city government, or a planning organization;
     1 individual with supply chain experience, which may 
include a food aggregator, wholesale food distributor, food hub, or an 
individual who has direct-to-consumer market experience;
     1 individual from a financing entity; and
     2 individuals with related experience or expertise in 
urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture production practices, as 
determined by the Secretary.
    Nominees to the Urban Ag Advisory Committee will be evaluated on a 
number of criteria, including expertise or experience with urban, 
indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices.
    Serving as an Urban Ag Advisory Committee member will not 
constitute employment by, or the holding of, an office of the United 
States for the purpose of any Federal law. Persons selected for 
membership on the Urban Ag Advisory Committee will not receive 
compensation from USDA for their service as Urban Ag Advisory Committee 
members, except that while away from home or regular place of business 
the member will be eligible for travel expenses paid by USDA, including 
per diem in lieu of subsistence, at the same rate as a person employed 
intermittently in the government service, under 5 U.S.C. 5703.
    Equal opportunity practices, in line with the USDA policies, will 
be followed in all appointments to the Urban Ag Advisory Committee.
    To ensure that the recommendations of the Urban Ag Advisory 
Committee have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups 
served by the Department, membership should include, to the extent 
practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to

[[Page 1084]]

represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

Member Nominations

    Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified 
individuals for membership. Interested candidates may nominate 
themselves. Individuals who wish to be considered for membership on the 
Urban Ag Advisory Committee must submit a nomination with information, 
including a background disclosure form (Form AD-755).
    Nominations should be typed and include the following:
    1. A brief summary, no more than two pages, explaining the 
nominee's qualifications to serve on the Urban Ag Advisory Committee 
and addressing the criteria described above.
    2. A resume providing the nominee's background, experience, and 
educational qualifications.
    3. A completed background disclosure form (Form AD-755) signed by 
the nominee https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/AD-755-Approved_Master-exp-3.31.22_508.pdf.
    4. Any recent publications by the nominee relative to urban 
agriculture or innovations in urban agricultural production (if 
appropriate).
    5. Letters of endorsement (optional).
    Send typed nominations to Ronald Harris, Designated Federal 
Officer, Director of Outreach and Partnerships, Natural Resources 
Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, Room 6006-S, Washington, DC 20250; telephone: (202) 720-
6646; email: [email protected]. Ronald Harris, the Designated 
Federal Officer, will acknowledge receipt of nominations.

Equal Opportunity Statement

    To ensure that recommendations of the Urban Ag Advisory Committee 
take into account the needs of underserved and diverse communities 
served by the USDA, membership will include, to the extent practicable, 
individuals representing minorities, women, and persons with 
disabilities. USDA prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and 
activities on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, gender, 
religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Additionally, 
discrimination on the basis of political beliefs and marital status or 
family status is also prohibited by statutes enforced by USDA (not all 
prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who 
require alternate means for communication of program information 
(Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact USDA's 
Technology and Accessible Resources Give Employment Today Center at 
(202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider 
and employer.

    Dated: December 28, 2020.
Cikena Reid,
Committee Management Officer, USDA.
[FR Doc. 2020-29077 Filed 1-6-21; 8:45 am]
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