[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 8680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4823]
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Notices
Federal Register
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or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
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Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 38 / Wednesday, February 26, 1997 /
Notices
[[Page 8680]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and
Economics Advisory Board
AGENCY: Research, Education, and Economics, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Solicitation of Advisory Board Recommendations.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L.
92-463), the United States Department of Agriculture announces a
solicitation of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
Education, and Economics Advisory Board members for recommendations on
the reauthorization of the Title VIII--Research, Extension, and
Education of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996
(FAIR Act).
DATE: Deadline for Advisory Board Comments, February 27, 1997.
Comments: The public may file written comments before or after the
DATE above with the contact person listed below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Deborah Hanfman, Executive Director, National Agricultural Research,
Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, REE Office of the
Advisory Board, Room 3918 South, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP:
2255, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-2255.
Telephone: 202-720-3684; Fax: 202-720-6199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Agricultural Research,
Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board has been asked by
USDA to give general comments on some or all of the issues provided
below regarding reauthorization of the Research, Extension, and
Education Title.
Recurring Questions
(1) What is the appropriate mix of funding among intramural funds,
formula funds, competitive grants, and special grants?
(2) Is stakeholder input into research and extension priority
setting working?
(3) What is the role of the university system in terms of ARS
agenda?
(4) What is the role of the Federal Government?
(5) What are the priorities for the Extension Service?
(6) What is the appropriate role for Special Grants?
Context for Research Title Reauthorization
Many changes have taken place in the agricultural sector. The FAIR
Act of 1996 provides the following changes:
(1) Contract payment provisions in lieu of traditional support
programs,
(2) A deregulated domestic economy--U.S. ratification of GATT means
producers now compete in a deregulated global economy as well, and
(3) Significant policy decisions affecting natural resources & the
environment.
Principles Guiding USDA's Approach to Research Title
Reauthorization
(1) Use existing legislative & administrative authorities whenever
possible.
(2) Improve efficiency throughout the research system--and re-
invest in REE research, education, and extension programs.
(3) Encourage multi-functional, multi-regional, and multi-
institutional activities to achieve maximum leverage of federal, state,
and local dollars.
(4) Support a range of funding mechanisms and the current structure
of intramural and extramural research. Must maintain long-term high-
risk research as well as shorter term investigator-initiated research.
(5) Support the use of formula funds for research and extension
activities at the land-grant universities, while providing greater
accountability.
(6) Support merit review with peer evaluation in all research
programs with competitively-awarded programs, as appropriate. We will
improve merit review and peer evaluation in the intramural programs.
(7) Value an active federal-state-local partnership in setting
priorities, conducting the work, and evaluating the results, as is
consistent with Administration's position on states' roles. USDA will
work in partnership with state and local entities where we have
concurrent jurisdiction and build better accountability.
(8) Strengthen public sector/private sector partnerships.
(9) Be responsive to national and regional needs as the first
guideline in priority setting.
(10) Improve communication with the public.
(11) Overarching Principle: Work to maintain world leadership in
agricultural science and education.
Comments on the above issues will be consolidated by the Office of
the Advisory Board at the direction of the Executive Committee and used
in a statement of recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on
Title VIII reauthorization.
Done at Washington, DC this 21st day of February, 1997.
Bob Robinson,
Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-4823 Filed 2-25-97; 8:45 am]
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