[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 78 (Friday, April 22, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24093-24094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08583]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


USDA Equity Commission

AGENCY: USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public and 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 a public 
meeting of the USDA Equity Commission (EC or Commission) and 
Subcommittee for Agriculture will convene to continue its work 
reviewing USDA programs, services, and policies for the purpose of 
making recommendations for how the Department can improve access and 
advance equity. The Commission and Subcommittee are authorized under 
the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, (the Act) and operates in 
compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended.

DATES: The EC meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 10 through 
Wednesday, May 11, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.
    Meeting Access: The public can participate via a zoom meeting link. 
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 Deputy 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 FCC Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 7-1-1 
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

[[Page 24094]]

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. 
The Agriculture Subcommittee reports to the Equity Commission and 
provides 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 no 
later than 12 months after inception. A final report will be completed 
by the Summer of 2023.
    Meeting Agenda: The agenda items may include, but are not limited 
to, welcome and introductions; administrative matters; updates from the 
Equity Commission, Agriculture Subcommittee and USDA staff; plans for 
the new Rural Community Economic Development Subcommittee, for 
developing the EC interim report and next steps. Please check the USDA 
Equity Commission website (https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission) for 
an agenda 24-48 hours prior to May 10.
    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, May 
2, 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. ET, May 2 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 May 25, 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-commission to view 
the agenda and/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.

    Dated: April 18, 2022.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-08583 Filed 4-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-P