[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 189 (Friday, September 30, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 57249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19706]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of the Secretary
Notice of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
Education, and Economics Advisory Board Meeting
AGENCY: Research, Education, and Economics, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the
United States Department of Agriculture announces a meeting of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics
Advisory Board. This meeting is open to the general public.
DATES: The National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and
Economics Advisory Board will meet October 18-20, 2005.
The public may file written comments before or up to two weeks
after the meeting with the contact person.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at the Best Western Capitol
Skyline Hotel, 10 I Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024-4299. You may
submit comments by any of the following methods: Mail/Hand-delivery:
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics
Advisory Board Office; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Room 344-A,
Jamie L. Whitten Building; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington,
DC 20250-2255; Fax: (202) 720-6199; E-mail: [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deborah Hanfman, Executive Director,
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics
Advisory Board, (202) 720-3684.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On Tuesday, October 18, 2005, 10 a.m. to 12
p.m., an Orientation Session for new National Agricultural Research,
Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board (the Board) members
will be held. The full Board meeting will convene at 1:30 p.m. with
introductory remarks provided by the Chair of the Board and U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials. There will be introductions
of Board members followed by a general Board business session, and
election of Executive Committee officers. The Research, Education, and
Economics (REE) mission area will respond on behalf of the Secretary to
several Board recommendations made to USDA and REE over the past year,
followed by Board questions and discussion. At 4 p.m., a professional
staff member from the Agriculture Committee or Appropriations
Subcommittee of U.S. Congress will be invited to provide perspectives
on key food, fiber, and agricultural-related issues in Congress and
share ideas on the Board's future role. This will be followed with
comments on the 2007 Farm Bill as it relates to REE issues. A period
will be open for public comments, and the meeting will adjourn at 5
p.m. An evening meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on
``Critical Crossroads in Agriculture: Implications & Expectations for
Research, Education, Extension & Economics.'' Focus leaders will
stimulate discussion on three specific mini-sessions within this theme:
(1) Mitigating the Risk of Emerging Diseases Transmissible to Humans;
(2) Changes in Rural America and Links to Research, Education, and
Economics; and (3) Strengthening Partnerships. USDA's National
Agricultural Library (NAL) will feature its role in serving REE, USDA,
Land-Grant partners, and the Nation's citizenry on critical food,
fiber, natural resources, and forestry issues.
On Wednesday, October 19, 2005, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the three
mini-sessions will be held to obtain expert input by stakeholders on
the respective focus areas, with emphasis on the role that USDA's
research, education, and economics can plan in addressing the issues.
The floor will be open for public comments from 5:35 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
followed by adjournment.
On Thursday, October 20, 2005, there will be an important wrap-up
of initial findings from the three mini focus sessions held the prior
day, followed by public comments and adjournment of the Board meeting
at 9 a.m. The Board's Specialty Crop Committee will hold an information
gathering Listening Session following the Board Meeting. The Listening
Session will be from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and on Friday, October 20,
2005, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the same hotel location in
Washington, DC (see 70 FR 54350 September 14, 2005). Expert panelists
will provide input on specific topics related to specialty crops and
will suggest ways that research, extension, and economics can best
support the needs of the specialty crop industry. The Listening Session
will provide the Specialty Crop Committee with input to respond to its
charge by Congress. Board members and interested individuals are
encouraged to attend both public meetings.
Written comments by attendees or other interested stakeholders will
be welcomed for the public record before and up to two weeks following
the Board meeting (by close of business Thursday, November 3, 2005).
All statements will become a part of the official record of the Board
and will be kept on file for public review in the Board's office. For a
copy of the draft agenda, please get in touch with the contact person
cited above.
Done at Washington, DC this 28th day of September, 2005.
Merle D. Pierson,
Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics.
[FR Doc. 05-19706 Filed 9-29-05; 8:45 am]
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