99-28752. Office of the Chief Economist; Intent To Establish an Advisory Committee on Small Farms

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59734-59735]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28752]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Office of the Chief Economist; Intent To Establish an Advisory 
Committee on Small Farms

AGENCY: Office of the Chief Economist, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to establish an Advisory Committee on Small 
Farms.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposes to 
establish an Advisory Committee on Small Farms (Committee). The 
purposes of the Committee is to gather and analyze information 
regarding small U.S. farms and ranches within the United States and its 
Territories and recommend to the Secretary of Agriculture actions to 
enhance their viability and economic livelihood. The Committee is in 
the public interest and within the duties and responsibilities of the 
Department of Agriculture. Establishment of the Committee also ensures 
the continued consideration and implementation of the recommendations 
made by the National Commission on Small Farms in its report, ``A Time 
to Act''.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alfonzo Drain, 202/720-3238. E-mail 
address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. app. 2), notice is hereby given that the Secretary of 
Agriculture intends to establish the Advisory Committee on Small Farms, 
hereinafter referred to as the Committee.
    The Committee will monitor government and private sector actions, 
policy and program proposals that relate to small farms, ranches, and 
woodlots, including limited-resource farms, ranches, and woodlots; and 
evaluate the impact such actions and proposals may have upon the 
viability and growth of small farms, ranches and woodlots; review USDA 
programs and strategies to implement small farm policy; advise the 
Secretary on actions to strengthen USDA programs; and evaluate other 
approaches that the Committee would deem advisable or which the 
Secretary of Agriculture or the Director of Sustainable Development and 
Small Farms may request the Committee to consider. The Secretary of 
Agriculture

[[Page 59735]]

shall make all appointments to the Committee and members will serve at 
the Secretary's discretion. Members will serve two-year terms.
    The Committee will have 19 members, one of whom will serve as Chair 
and be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, and one of whom will 
serve as Vice-Chair as appointed by the Committee. Members will 
represent small farms, ranches, and woodlot owners and will represent 
the diverse groups USDA programs serve, including but not limited to, 
finance, commerce, conservation, cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, 
rural communities, academia, State and local governments, women and 
minorities, farmworkers, and other interests as the Secretary 
determines. USDA will follow equal opportunity practices in making 
appointments to the Committee. To ensure that recommendations of the 
Committee take into account the needs of the diverse groups USDA 
serves, membership will include, to the extent practicable, individuals 
with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons 
with disabilities.

    Dated: October 26, 1999.
Keith Collins,
Chief Economist, Office of the Chief Economist.
[FR Doc. 99-28752 Filed 11-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-01-M