[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 173 (Friday, September 8, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62048-62049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19423]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement


Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers; 
Solicitation of Membership Nominations

AGENCY: Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of 
Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) is seeking nominations for 
individuals to serve on the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and 
Ranchers (``Advisory Committee'').

DATES: All nominations received by October 10, 2023 will be considered.

ADDRESSES: Nominations may be submitted electronically to the Advisory 
Committee's dedicated email inbox at [email protected]. Nominations may 
also be sent via first-class mail to: Advisory Committee on Beginning 
Farmers and Ranchers, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop 0601, Room 524-A, Washington, DC 
20250. All nominations received prior to the deadline under DATES 
(above) will be considered.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. R. Jeanese Cabrera, Designated 
Federal Officer, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop 0601, Room 524-A, Washington, DC 
20250; Phone: (202) 720-6350; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The full Advisory Committee shall consist of 
a minimum 14 members up to a maximum of 20 members. Each member shall 
be appointed to serve a 2-year term and may reapply to be considered up 
to

[[Page 62049]]

two additional 2-year terms. All members serve at the pleasure of the 
Secretary of Agriculture. The Advisory Committee will meet at least 
once annually to explore issues affecting beginning farmers and 
ranchers, USDA policies and programs, and related matters challenging 
new farmers and ranchers. Advisory Committee meetings may be held in 
hybrid style giving participants the choice to attend in person or 
virtually. During public meetings, the Advisory Committee shall explore 
and deliberate upon specific topics and frame up recommendations 
involving: (1) principles to leverage and maximize existing programs 
that assist beginning farmers and ranchers; (2) methods and strategies 
that amplify and improve State collaboration and participation in USDA 
programs; (3) opportunity creation strategies and pilot programs (e.g., 
farm apprenticeships, farm incubators); and (4) ideas that provide 
relief from labor and taxation burdens.
    Member Nominations. Any interested person may nominate individuals 
for membership. Interested candidates may also nominate themselves. 
Individuals who wish to be considered for membership on the Advisory 
Committee must submit a nomination package that includes (1) the 
background disclosure form (Form AD-755) [https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-755.pdf]; (2) a brief cover letter with a 
summary of nominee's qualifications to serve on the Advisory Committee; 
and (3) a resume providing the nominee's background, experience, and 
educational qualifications (5 pages or less). Nominees may also provide 
samples of published writings related to matters affecting new farmers 
and ranchers and letters of endorsement--both of which are optional. 
Nomination for membership is open to the public, including minorities, 
women, and persons with disabilities from within the United States and 
its territories (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 
American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands). 
Final selection of Advisory Committee members is made by the Secretary.
    The Advisory Committee was originally authorized pursuant to 
Section 5(b) of the Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992, 7 
U.S.C. 1929, as amended; and reauthorized under the Food, Conservation, 
and Energy Act of 2008; and is established and managed in accordance 
with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as 
amended, 5 U.S.C. 10.
    The Advisory Committee is statutory, and its members may be 
designated as Representatives, Special Government Employees (SGEs), or 
Regular Government Employees (RGEs). Pursuant to the Advisory 
Committee's statutory composition, members should represent (1) new 
farmers and ranchers; (2) State beginning farming programs; (3) 
commercial lenders; (4) private nonprofit organizations with active 
beginning farmer or rancher programs; (5) educational institutions with 
demonstrated experience in training beginning farmers and ranchers; and 
(6) other organizations or persons who provide lending or technical 
assistance for farmers and ranchers. RGEs shall include employees from 
the Farm Service Agency and the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture. SGEs shall be appointed for their personal knowledge, 
academic scholarship, background, and expertise in specific areas of 
focus as required during their terms.
    Equal opportunity practices in accordance with USDA's policies will 
be followed in all appointments to the Committee. To ensure that the 
recommendations of the Committee have taken in account the needs of the 
diverse groups served by USDA, membership shall include, to the extent 
possible, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent 
minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

    Dated: September 1, 2023.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-19423 Filed 9-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3412-88-P