[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 3, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55216-55217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14598]


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 Notices
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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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  Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 128 / Wednesday, July 3, 2024 / 
Notices  

[[Page 55216]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-SC-24-0037]


Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee Call for 
Nominations

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; call for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC or 
Committee) was established to develop recommendations for submission to 
the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) on issues affecting the U.S. 
produce industry. Through this notice, the USDA is requesting 
nominations to fill up to 25 upcoming vacancies on the FVIAC. The 
Secretary will appoint industry representative to serve a two-year term 
of office that would commence in 2024. The Secretary invites those 
individuals, organizations, and groups affiliated with the categories 
listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section to nominate individuals 
or themselves for membership on the FVIAC.

DATES: Nomination packages, including a cover letter to the Secretary, 
the nominee's typed resume or curriculum vitae, and a completed USDA 
Advisory Committee Membership Background Information Form AD-755, must 
be postmarked on or before September 3, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Nomination packages may be submitted electronically by Email 
to [email protected], or mailed to: Jennie M. Varela, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 1124 1st Street South, Winter Haven, FL, 33880; Attn: 
Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee. Electronic submittals 
are preferred.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Miss Jennie Varela, Designated Federal 
Officer, Telephone at (202) 658-8616 or by Email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the FVIAC is to examine the 
full spectrum of issues faced by the fruit and vegetable industry and 
provide suggestions and ideas to the Secretary on how USDA can tailor 
its programs to better meet the fruit and vegetable industry's needs.
    The USDA is seeking members who represent the fruit and vegetable 
industry including fruit and vegetable growers/shippers; fruit and 
vegetable wholesalers/receivers; brokers; retailers; fruit and 
vegetable processors and fresh-cut processors; foodservice suppliers; 
organic and non-organic farmers; farmers markets and community-
supported agricultural organizations; state agriculture departments; 
and trade associations. Industry members are appointed by the Secretary 
and serve 2-year terms, with a maximum of three 2-year terms.
    Please note that individuals who are registered as Federal 
lobbyists are not eligible to serve on Federal advisory committees in 
an individual capacity. See ``Revised Guidance on Appointment of 
Lobbyists to Federal Advisory Committees, Boards, and Commissions,'' 79 
FR 47482 (Aug. 13, 2014). Members can only serve on one USDA advisory 
committee at a time. All nominees will undergo a USDA background check.
    The following must be submitted to nominate yourself or someone 
else to the FVIAC: a resume or curriculum vitae, a USDA Advisory 
Committee Membership Background Information Form AD-755--available 
online at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-755.pdf, and a cover letter to the Secretary. A list of endorsements or 
letters of recommendation, and a biography may also be submitted. The 
resume or curriculum vitae must be limited to five one-sided pages and 
should include a summary of the following information: current and past 
organization affiliations; areas of expertise; education; career 
positions held; and any other notable positions held. For submissions 
received that are more than five one-sided pages in length, only the 
first five pages will be reviewed.
    The Secretary appointed 25 members in 2022. Two (2) members have 
served two terms and twenty-three (23) members have served one term, 
which all expire October 28, 2024. The Secretary will appoint members 
for the upcoming vacancies to serve a 2-year term of office beginning 
in 2024 and ending in 2026. Nominations received that could fill future 
unexpected vacancies in any of the position categories will be held as 
a pool of candidates that the Secretary can draw upon as replacement 
appointees if unexpected vacancies occur. A person appointed to fill a 
vacancy will serve for the remainder of the 2-year term of the vacant 
position.
    The Deputy Administrator of the AMS Specialty Crops Program serves 
as the FVIAC Executive Secretary. Representatives from USDA mission 
areas and agencies affecting the fruit and vegetable industry could be 
called upon to participate in the FVIAC's meetings as determined by the 
FVIAC Executive Secretary and the FVIAC.
    The full Committee expects to meet at least twice a year in-person 
(or by computer-based conferencing), and the meetings will be announced 
in the Federal Register. Committee workgroups or subcommittees will 
meet as deemed necessary by the chairperson and may meet through 
teleconference or by computer-based conferencing. Subcommittees may 
invite technical experts to present information for consideration by 
the subcommittee. The subcommittee meetings will not be announced in 
the Federal Register. All data and records available to the full 
Committee are expected to be available to the public when the full 
Committee reviews and approves the work of the subcommittee(s). Members 
must be prepared to work outside of scheduled Committee and 
subcommittee meetings and may be required to assist in document 
preparation. Committee members serve on a voluntary basis; however, 
travel expenses and per diem reimbursement are available.
    The Secretary seeks a diverse group of members representing a broad 
spectrum of persons interested in providing suggestions and ideas on 
how USDA can tailor its programs to meet the fruit and vegetable 
industry's needs. Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all 
appointments to the FVIAC in accordance with USDA policies. To ensure 
that the recommendations of the FVIAC have taken into account the needs 
of the diverse groups served by the Department, membership shall 
include, to the extent practicable,

[[Page 55217]]

individuals with demonstrated ability to represent the many 
communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, 
cultures, and beliefs of the American people, including underserved 
communities.
    The information collection requirements concerning the nomination 
process have been previously cleared by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under OMB Control No. 0505-0001.

    Dated: June 27, 2024.
Cikena Reid,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-14598 Filed 7-2-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P