[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 30 (Monday, February 14, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8227-8228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03074]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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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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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 30 / Monday, February 14, 2022 / 
Notices  

[[Page 8227]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


USDA Equity Commission

AGENCY: Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice of virtual meeting.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the 
rules and regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that the 
inaugural meeting of the USDA Equity Commission (EC or Commission) and 
Subcommittee for Agriculture will convene to begin its work reviewing 
USDA programs, services and policies for the purpose of making 
recommendations for how the Department can improve access and advance 
equity.

DATES: The EC meeting will be open to the public and held virtually via 
Zoom on Monday, February 28, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST.

ADDRESSES: The webinar for the meeting and public comment period can be 
accessed by internet and/or phone. Access information will be provided 
to registered individuals via email. Detailed information can be found 
at: https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cecilia Hernandez, Designated Federal 
Officer, USDA Equity Commission, Office of the Secretary, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Room 6006-S, Washington, DC 20250-0235; Phone: 
(202) 913-5907; Email: [email protected].
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through 
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 20, 2021, President Biden signed 
an Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for 
Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government and committed to 
creating the USDA Equity Commission as part of his rural agenda and 
commitment to closing the racial wealth gap and addressing longstanding 
inequities in agriculture. Section 1006 of the American Rescue Plan 
directed USDA to create the Equity Commission and provided funds 
sufficient to ensure the Commission is well staffed and positioned to 
deliver on its charge.
    The USDA Equity Commission will advise the Secretary of Agriculture 
and provide USDA with an analysis of how its programs, policies, 
systems, structures, and practices contribute to barriers to inclusion 
or access, systemic discrimination, or exacerbate or perpetuate racial, 
economic, health and social disparities and recommendations for action. 
A Subcommittee on Agriculture is being formed concurrently and will 
report back to the Equity Commission and provide recommendations on 
issues of concern related to agriculture. Subsequent subcommittees will 
focus on other policy areas, such as rural community and economic 
development. The Equity Commission will deliver an interim report and 
provide actionable recommendations by September 2022. A final report 
will be completed by the summer of 2023.
    Meeting Agenda: Agenda items may include, but are not limited to, 
welcome and introductions; administrative matters; overview of 
governance including roles and responsibilities; the purpose, scope, 
and priorities of the Equity Commission; and the overview and charge of 
the Agriculture Subcommittee. Please check the USDA Equity Commission 
website for an agenda 24-48 hours prior to February 28th at https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission.
    Register for the Meeting: The public is asked to pre-register for 
the meeting by visiting https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission. Your 
pre-registration must state: Your name; organization or interest 
represented; if you are planning to give oral comments; and if you 
require special accommodations. USDA will also accept day-of 
registrations.
    Oral Comments: The Commission is providing the public an 
opportunity to provide oral comments and will accommodate as many 
individuals and organizations as time permits. Persons or organizations 
wishing to make oral comments must pre-register by 11:59 p.m. ET, 
Monday, February 21, 2022, and may only register for one speaking slot. 
Participants who wish to make oral comments must also be available to 
attend a tech-check the day before the meeting. Instructions for 
registering and participating in the meeting can be found on https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission.
    Written Comments: Written public comments for consideration at the 
meeting will be accepted on or before 11:59 p.m. Monday, February 21, 
2022, EST. Comments submitted after this date will be provided to USDA, 
but the Commission may not have adequate time to consider those 
comments prior to the meeting. The USDA Equity Commission strongly 
prefers comments be submitted electronically. However, written comments 
may also be submitted (i.e., postmarked) via mail to the person listed 
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section by or before the 
deadline. Written comments will be accepted up to 15 days after the 
meeting.
    Availability of Materials for the Meeting: All written public 
comments received by February 21, 2022, will be compiled into a file 
and available for member review and be included in the meeting minutes. 
Duplicate comments from multiple individuals will appear as one 
comment, with a notation that multiple copies of the comment were 
received. Please visit https://www.usda.gov/equity-commissiontoviewtheagendaand/or minutes from this meeting.
    Meeting Accommodations: USDA is committed to making its electronic 
and information technologies accessible to individuals with 
disabilities by meeting or exceeding the requirements of Section 508 of 
the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended. If you need 
reasonable accommodations, please make requests in advance for 
reasonable accommodations through the meeting registration link on 
https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission. Determinations for reasonable 
accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.


[[Page 8228]]


    Dated: February 9, 2022.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-03074 Filed 2-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-P