[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2403-2404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00650]


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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. 87, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2022 / 
Notices  

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 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Request for Nominations of Members for the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board, 
Specialty Crop Committee (SCC), Citrus Disease Subcommittee (CDS), and 
National Genetic Resources Advisory Council (NGRAC)

AGENCY: Research, Education, and Economics, Department of Agriculture 
(USDA).

ACTION: Solicit nominations for memberships for the NAREEE Advisory 
Board, SCC, CDS, and the NGRAC.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces the opening of the 
solicitation for nominations to fill vacancies on the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) 
Advisory Board and its committees and subcommittees for Fiscal Year 
2023 and any vacancies that may occur in the current fiscal year.

DATES: Written nominations will be received continuously until 
September 30, 2022.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All board members will receive reimbursement 
for per diem and travel expenses incurred for attending meetings and/or 
conducting other business on behalf of the Board/Subcommittee 
authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5703 of the Federal Travel Regulation for 
persons employed intermittently in government service.

Background

National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics 
Advisory Board

    The NAREEE Advisory Board was established in 1996 via Section 1408 
of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123) to provide advice to the Secretary of 
Agriculture and land-grant colleges and universities on top priorities 
and policies for food and agricultural research, education, extension, 
and economics. Section 1408 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 was amended by the Farm 
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to reduce the number of 
members on the NAREEE Advisory Board to 25 members and required the 
Board to also provide advice to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate; the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies of the 
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and the 
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies of 
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. Subsequently, Section 
1408 of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 further reduced the 
number of members from 25 to 15 and changed the categories of 
membership for the advisory board. Each member of the Board represents 
a specific category including National Farm or Producer Organizations; 
Academic or Research Societies; Agricultural Research, Extension and 
Education; or Industry, Consumer or Rural Interests.

Specialty Crop Committee

    The Specialty Crop Committee was created as a committee of the 
NAREEE Advisory Board in accordance with the Specialty Crops 
Competitiveness Act of 2004 under title III, section 303 of Public Law 
108-465. The committee was formulated to study the scope and 
effectiveness of research, extension, and economics programs affecting 
the specialty crop industry. The legislation defines ``specialty 
crops'' as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery 
crops (including floriculture). The Agricultural Act of 2014 further 
expanded the scope of the Specialty Crop Committee to provide advice to 
the Secretary of Agriculture on the relevancy review process of the 
Specialty Crop Research Initiative, a grant program of the National 
Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Citrus Disease Subcommittee

    The Citrus Disease Subcommittee was established by the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (sec. 7103) to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on 
citrus research, extension, and development needs, engage in regular 
consultation and collaboration with USDA and other organizations 
involved in citrus, and provide recommendations for research and 
extension activities related to citrus disease. The Citrus Disease 
Subcommittee also advises the Department on the research and extension 
agenda of the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program, 
a grant program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
    Section 1408(a)(2) of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 
amended the membership of the Citrus Disease Subcommittee to increase 
the number of members from 9 members to 11. Members must be a producer 
of citrus with representation from the following States: Five members 
from Arizona or California, five members from Florida, and one member 
from Texas.

National Genetic Resources Advisory Council

    The National Genetic Resources Advisory Council was originally 
established in March, 1992 via section 1634 (7 U.S.C. 5843) of the 
Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 to formulate 
recommendations on actions and policies for the collection, 
maintenance, and utilization of genetic resources; to make 
recommendations for coordination of genetic resources plans of several 
domestic and international organizations; and to advise the Secretary 
of Agriculture and the National Genetic Resources Program, part of the 
Agricultural Research Service, of new and innovative approaches to 
genetic resources conservation. It was subsequently re-established in 
2012 as a permanent subcommittee of the NAREEE Advisory Board. The 
Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 further expanded the 
responsibilities of the Council to include recommendations on cultivar 
development and increased the number of members from 9 to 13. The 
membership is required to have 6 members from scientific disciplines 
relevant to the National Genetic

[[Page 2404]]

Resources Program, including agricultural sciences, economics and 
policy, environmental sciences, natural resource sciences, health 
sciences, and nutritional sciences; 3 members from the general public 
and shall include leaders in fields of public policy, community 
development, trade, international development, law, or management; and 
4 members with expertise in cultivar development and animal breed 
development. In addition, 4 of the members of the NGRAC shall be 
appointed from among individuals representing: 1862 land-grant colleges 
and universities; 1890 land-grant colleges and universities; Hispanic-
serving institutions; or 1994 Equity in Education land-grant 
institutions.

Nominations

    Nominations are open to all individuals without regard to race, 
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical 
handicap, marital status, or sexual orientation. To ensure the 
recommendation of the Advisory Board takes into account the needs of 
the diverse groups served by the USDA, membership shall include, to the 
extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent 
the needs of all racial and ethnic groups, women and men, and persons 
with disabilities.
    Please note, individuals may not serve on more than one USDA 
Federal Advisory Committee. Individuals who are federally registered 
lobbyists, appointed to committees to exercise their own individual 
best judgment on behalf of the government (e.g., as Special Government 
Employees), are ineligible to serve.
    All nominees will be carefully reviewed for their relevant 
experience, expertise, and leadership. Appointed members will serve 
one-, two-, or three-year terms in order to properly stagger term 
rotation. All nominees will be vetted before selection. Appointments to 
the NAREEE Advisory Board and its committees and subcommittees will be 
made by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Instructions

    The following information must be included in the package of 
materials submitted for each, individual being nominated for 
consideration: (1) AD-755 https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/ad-755 
stating your full birth name and completed application in its entirety; 
(2) A letter(s) of nomination stating the Board (Board Category)/
Subcommittee (SCC, CDS, NGRAC) must be identified (3) 1 page bio of 
nominee; and (4) a current copy of the nominee's resum[eacute]. You may 
apply for as many categories on the Advisory Board and Committees and/
or subcommittee(s) and this must be stated in your application and 
nomination letter(s). Nomination packages may be submitted directly by 
the individual being nominated or by the person/organization 
recommending the candidate.

Nominee Selection

    Nominated individuals will be picked by the Secretary of 
Agriculture based on how well they meet the required qualifications and 
the current needs of the Board/Subcommittees. It is anticipated that 
the members will start serving on the Advisory Board/committees/
subcommittee beginning October 1, 2022.

ADDRESSES: All sections of the AD-755 form must be filled out 
completely and signed from the nominee. The completed AD-755 and any 
submission of letters of support can be sent via Email to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Lewis, Executive Director, 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics 
Advisory Board, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6019, The South 
Building, Washington, DC 20250-2255; telephone: 202-720-3684 or email: 
[email protected]. Committee website: https://nareeeab.ree.usda.gov/.

    Done at Washington, DC, this day of January 10, 2022.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-00650 Filed 1-13-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P