[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79854-79855]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-28237]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement


Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers

AGENCY: Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the 
Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) is announcing a 
meeting of the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers (ACMF). USDA 
Secretary Vilsack is committed to actions that enhance minority 
farmers' ability to produce and thrive as businesses through USDA's 
customer service enhancements, expanded outreach, technical assistance, 
and capacity building. To that end, the ACMF will likewise recommend 
action-oriented strategies for maximizing the participation of minority 
farmers by leveraging those programs that ensure a food secure nation 
and effectively steward our natural resources. These principals will 
usher in business growth and opportunity for those minority 
agricultural communities plagued with fragile economies in decline.

DATES: The ACMF meeting will begin on January 18-20, 2022, from 9:00 
a.m.-5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST). Time will be allotted at 
the end of each morning and afternoon for comments from those 
attending. Public participants may also view the committee proceedings 
and presentations via Zoom: https://ems8.intellor.com/login/846392. 
Meeting ID and passcode is not required. The call-in numbers and code 
for listening only access are:

US Toll Free: 888-251-2949
US Toll: 215-861-0694
Access Code: 2154 982#

    All persons wishing to make comments during the in-person meeting 
must check-in each day at the registration table. If the number of 
registrants requesting to speak is greater than what can be reasonably 
accommodated during the scheduled open public hearing session 
timeframe, OPPE may conduct a lottery to determine the speakers for the 
scheduled public comment session.
    Meeting Pre-Registration and Public Comments: The public is asked 
to pre-register for the meeting by January 17, 2023, at https://ems8.intellor.com/?do=register&t=1&p=846389. For pre-registrations, we 
request your name, organization or affiliation, and intent to give oral 
comments. Participants may also submit written comments for the 
committee's consideration via the pre-registration link (https://ems8.intellor.com/?do=register&t=1&p=846389). Written comments must be 
received by or before January 17, 2023.
    Members of the public who sign up to give oral comments to the 
Committee will be allowed time according to the number of speakers 
scheduled for each morning and afternoon public comment period. Members 
joining virtually may also request permission to give oral comments and 
will be instructed by the conference moderator on when and how to make 
live comments. Please remember that the comments made during the 
meeting will be added to the committee record only. Direct engagement 
or exchanges with committee members is not permitted while the meeting 
is in session.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the University of California, at 
Davis' ARC Conference Center, 760 Orchard Road, Davis, CA 95616. 
Drivers are instructed to park in Lot 25. A searchable campus map may 
be accessed here: https://campusmap.ucdavis.edu/. Parking is available 
at nominal cost.
    Accessibility: USDA is committed to ensuring that all persons are 
included in our programs and events. If you are a person with a 
disability and require reasonable accommodations to participate in this 
meeting, please contact Mr. Eston Williams at [email protected] 
or (202) 596-0226. 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.
    Availability of Materials for the Meeting: Presentations to be 
delivered to the ACMF, including the final meeting agenda, and any 
updates regarding the meeting announced in this notice, can be found on 
the ACMF website at https://www.usda.gov/partnerships/advisory-committee-on-minority-farmers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General information about the 
committee can also be found at https://www.usda.gov/partnerships/advisory-committee-on-minority-farmers. Any member of the public 
wishing to obtain information concerning this public meeting may 
contact Mr. Eston Williams, Designated Federal Officer (DFO) via email 
[email protected] or call (202) 596-0226.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ACMF will be pivotal in its liaison role 
that both informs and advises the Secretary of actions that may be 
taken to support minority farming growth and assist them with 
challenges of today, as well as those they will face in coming years. 
During this public meeting, the ACMF will explore and consider 
challenges specific to minority rural farming communities, including 
but not limited to: (1) infrastructure and housing (e.g., Rural 
Development); (2) building economically viable, ecologically sound, and 
climate-smart farming and ranching (e.g., planning, building, and 
business expansion); (3) examining barriers to enhanced minority farmer 
and rancher participation in USDA programs, services and partnerships 
(e.g., Climate-Smart Commodities Funding); (4) addressing barriers to 
capital access, land acquisition, debt management (e.g., Farm Service 
Agency); (5) adverse economic impacts of farming and ranching risk 
management; and (6) examining barriers to broader participation in 
export markets.
    From these topics, the ACMF will deliberate and form its next set 
of recommendations for the current term. The ACMF specifically seeks to 
engage and hear directly from a broad geographical cross-section of 
minority farmers on their experiences, pathways, and challenges as they 
contend with severe weather events or continued barriers of entry and 
economically sustainable farming. The USDA will also want to hear about 
personal experiences and encourage all to participate, including those 
organizations that support farmers from a large cross-section of farm 
type or size and ethnic diversity.
    The Committee was established pursuant to section 14008 of the Food 
Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110-246, 122 Stat. 
1651,

[[Page 79855]]

2008 (7 U.S.C. 2279), to ensure that socially disadvantaged farmers 
have equal access to USDA programs. The Secretary selected a diverse 
group of members representing a broad spectrum of persons chosen to 
recommend solutions to the challenges of minority farmers and ranchers, 
generally. The members also advise the Secretary on implementation of 
section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 
1990 (the 2501 Program); maximizing the participation of minority 
farmers and ranchers in USDA programs; and civil rights activities 
within the Department relative to participants in its programs.

    Dated: December 21, 2022.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-28237 Filed 12-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3412-88-P