[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 184 (Monday, September 27, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53265-53267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20840]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Intent To Establish an Equity Commission and Solicitation of 
Nominations for Membership on the Equity Commission Advisory Committee 
and Equity Commission Subcommittee on Agriculture

AGENCY: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 
the United States Department of Agriculture announces its intent to 
establish an Equity Commission (EC) including a Subcommittee on 
Agriculture. The EC will advise the Secretary of Agriculture by 
facilitating identification of critical USDA programs, policies, 
systems, structures, and practices that contribute to barriers to 
inclusion or access, systemic discrimination, or exacerbate or 
perpetuate racial, economic, health and social disparities. The EC will 
be governed by the provisions of FACA. Concurrent to creation of the 
Equity Commission, a Subcommittee on Agriculture will be formed that 
will be charged with providing recommendations on issues of concern 
related to agriculture to optimize USDA programs, dismantle structural 
inequities and systemic discrimination, and promote social justice 
particularly for historically underserved and diverse communities 
served by USDA. This notice also solicits nominations for membership on 
the EC and the EC's Subcommittee on Agriculture.

DATES: We will consider nominations that are submitted via email or 
postmarked by October 27, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Please submit nominations to Dr. Dewayne L. Goldmon, USDA 
Senior Advisor for Racial Equity, Office of the Secretary, Department 
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6006-S, Washington, 
DC 20250; or send by email to: [email protected]. A Federal 
Official of USDA will acknowledge receipt of nominations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Dewayne L. Goldmon, Ph.D.; telephone: 
(202) 997-2100; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1006(a)(3) of the American Rescue 
Plan Act of 2021 directs the Secretary of the United States Department 
of Agriculture to create an Equity Commission to advise the Agency in 
``address[ing] historical discrimination and disparities in the 
agriculture sector,'' which includes ``fund[ing] one or more equity 
commissions to address racial equity issues within USDA and its 
programs.'' Public Law 117-2.

EC and Subcommittee on Agriculture Scope and Purpose

    The purpose of the EC is to advise the Secretary of Agriculture by 
identifying USDA programs, policies, systems, structures, and practices 
that contribute to barriers to inclusion or access, systemic 
discrimination, or exacerbate or perpetuate racial, economic, health 
and social disparities.

[[Page 53266]]

    The scope of duties of the EC is advisory and extends only to the 
submission of advice and recommendations to the Secretary, which shall 
be non-binding. The EC will make no determination of fact or policy.
    The EC will deliver an interim report focused on characterizing the 
problems and barriers to accessing USDA programs and services and 
provide actionable recommendations on reducing these barriers that 
underserved individuals, organizations, businesses, or communities may 
face accessing the information, resources, programs, and services USDA 
offers, no later than 12 months after inception. A final report on the 
same topic shall be generated within a two-year timeframe.
    The EC is expected to begin meeting during the Winter of 2021/2022 
and to meet up to four times per year (either virtually or in person, 
or as deemed necessary by the Secretary of Agriculture). Pursuant to 
FACA, all EC meetings will be open to the public.
    The Subcommittee on Agriculture will be formed concurrently and be 
focused on providing recommendations on issues of concern related to 
agriculture. The subcommittee will meet as deemed necessary by the 
subcommittee chairperson and may meet through teleconference or by 
computer-based conferencing. The EC and subcommittee may invite subject 
matter experts to present information for consideration. The 
subcommittee meetings will not be announced in the Federal Register. 
All data and records available to the full EC are expected to be 
available to the public when the full EC reviews and approves the work 
of the subcommittee.

EC and Subcommittee on Agriculture Overview and Membership

    The criteria for consideration for membership on the EC and 
Subcommittee on Agriculture include diversity in demographics, regions 
of the country, background, and in experience and expertise. The EC 
must adhere to equal opportunity practices consistent with USDA policy. 
The EC and subcommittee will require substantial representation from 
those whose mission is to serve or advocate for underserved 
communities, minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, 
individuals with limited English proficiency, rural communities, and 
LGBTQI+ communities. Other perspectives to capture include those from 
the small business community, higher education institutions, farmworker 
groups, and members of the American population and communities who 
bring their personal experiences to the discussion.
    The EC shall be composed of 15 members appointed by the Secretary 
of Agriculture for a two-year term and may be reappointed for up to two 
additional terms, and shall include:
     2 representatives from community-based organizations that 
represent underserved communities;
     2 representatives with expertise in policy design and/or 
evaluation;
     2 representatives with expertise in organizational 
development, design thinking, and/or change management;
     1 representative with expertise in communications/public 
relations;
     1 representative with expertise in civil rights;
     1 representative with expertise in organizational 
diversity, equity, and inclusion;
     1 economist with knowledge of social policy and economic 
disparities;
     1 historian;
     1 legal expert; and
     3 such other persons representing a broad spectrum of 
related interests as the Secretary considers appropriate.
    The Secretary and Deputy Secretary will designate a Co-Chair to 
serve along with the Deputy Secretary, serving one (1) year from the 
date of appointment to the Equity Commission; their role as Co-Chair 
may be renewed. The Co-Chair will be an individual who is recognized 
for their ability to lead in a fair and focused manner.
    The EC members will be reimbursed for travel expenses, including 
per diem instead of subsistence, authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5703, in the 
same manner as a person employed intermittently in the Government 
service.
    The EC's Subcommittee on Agriculture will be comprised of 15 
members who have expertise in agriculture, federal farm, conservation, 
and extension programs. Two members of the Subcommittee on Agriculture 
will be members of the EC. The majority of the subcommittee members 
should be familiar with USDA and reflect the diversity of agriculture 
in geography, size, scale, and type of production. The majority of 
subcommittee members should represent historically underserved 
populations or communities and shall include:
     3 farmers or ranchers;
     2 university personnel with research and/or extension 
expertise from minority serving institutions;
     2 individuals from community based organizations;
     1 individual from the agricultural industry;
     1 individual representing farmworker groups;

     1 individual with civil rights and equity expertise;
     3 individuals selected at the discretion of the Secretary; 
and
     2 members of the EC (as explained above).
    The Subcommittee on Agriculture will report back to the parent 
committee (EC), and must not provide advice or work products directly 
to the agency.

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 
EC and/or the Subcommittee on Agriculture 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 EC or subcommittee and 
addressing the membership composition and 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 
organizational change management, diversity equity and inclusion, 
reducing barriers to accessing public programs and services, addressing 
historical discrimination and disparities or other related works that 
would make evident why an individual's experience, expertise and 
perspective would add value to the Equity Commission or Agriculture 
Subcommittee (if appropriate).
    5. Letters of endorsement (optional).
    Nomination for the EC and subcommittee membership is open to the 
public, including minorities, LGBTQI+ individuals, women, and persons 
with disabilities in areas designated within the United States, 
Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and the 
Pacific Basin Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Marianna Islands).
    All candidates should have a shared commitment to ensuring USDA is 
a diverse, equitable, inclusive, accessible organization that upholds 
its commitment to civil rights and effectively advances racial justice 
and equity. Please send typed nominations to:


[[Page 53267]]


Office of the Secretary, Attn: Dewayne L. Goldmon, Ph.D., 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Room 6006-S, Washington, DC 20250; telephone: 
(202) 997-2100, email: [email protected]

    A Federal Official of USDA will acknowledge receipt of nominations.

Ethics Statement

    To maintain the highest levels of honesty, integrity and ethical 
conduct, no Committee or subcommittee member shall participate in any 
``specific party matters'' (i.e., matters are narrowly focused and 
typically involve specific transactions between identified parties) 
such as a lease, license, permit, contract, claim, grant, agreement, or 
related litigation with the Department in which the member has a direct 
financial interest. This includes the requirement for Committee or 
Subcommittee members to immediately disclose to the DFO (for discussion 
with USDA's Office of Ethics) any specific party matter in which the 
member's immediate family, relatives, business partners or employer 
would be directly seeking to financially benefit from the Committee's 
recommendations.
    All members will receive ethics training to identify and avoid any 
actions that would cause the public to question the integrity of the 
Committee's advice and recommendations. Members who are appointed as 
``Representatives'' are not subject to Federal ethics laws because such 
appointment allows them to represent the point(s) of view of a 
particular group, business sector or segment of the public.
    Members appointed as ``Special Government Employees'' (SGEs) are 
considered intermittent Federal employees and are subject to Federal 
ethics laws. SGE's are appointed due to their personal knowledge, 
academic scholarship, background or expertise. No SGE may participate 
in any activity in which the member has a prohibited financial 
interest. Appointees who are SGEs are required to complete and submit a 
Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450 form) via the 
FDonline e-filing database system. Upon request USDA will assist SGEs 
in preparing these financial reports. To ensure the highest level of 
compliance with applicable ethical standards USDA will provide ethics 
training to SGEs on an annual basis. The provisions of these paragraphs 
are not meant to exhaustively cover all Federal ethics laws and do not 
affect any other statutory or regulatory obligations to which advisory 
committee members are subject.

Equal Opportunity Statement

    To ensure that recommendations of the EC 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 based on 
race, sex, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual 
orientation, or disability. Additionally, discrimination based on 
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 alternative 
means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, 
audiotape, 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: September 21, 2021.
Cikena Reid,
Committee Management Officer, USDA.
[FR Doc. 2021-20840 Filed 9-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-P