[Federal Register: July 16, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 137)]
[Notices]
[Page 40846]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16jy08-45]
[[Page 40846]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Notice of Invitation for Nominations to the Advisory Committee on
Agriculture Statistics
AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA.
ACTION: Solicitation of Nominations for Advisory Committee on
Agriculture Statistics Membership.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5
U.S.C. App. 2, this notice announces an invitation from the Office of
the Secretary of Agriculture for nominations to the Advisory Committee
on Agriculture Statistics.
On April 3, 2007, the Secretary of Agriculture re-established the
Advisory Committee charter for another 2 years. The purpose of the
Committee is to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the scope,
timing, content, etc., of the periodic censuses and surveys of
agriculture, other related surveys, and the types of information to
obtain from respondents concerning agriculture. The Committee also
prepares recommendations regarding the content of agriculture reports
and presents the views and needs for data of major suppliers and users
of agriculture statistics.
DATES: Nominations must be received by August 8, 2008 to be assured of
consideration.
ADDRESSES: Nominations should be mailed to Joe Reilly, Associate
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 5041A
South Building, Washington, DC 20250-2000. In addition, nominations may
be mailed electronically to hq_aa@nass.usda.gov. In addition to mailed
correspondence to the addresses listed above, nominations may also be
faxed to (202) 720-9013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Reilly, Associate Administrator,
National Agricultural Statistics Service, (202) 720-4333.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Nominations should include the following
information: name, title, organization, address, telephone number, and
e-mail address. Each person nominated is required to complete an
Advisory Committee Membership Background Information form. This form
may be requested by telephone, fax, or e-mail using the information
above. Forms will also be available from the NASS home page http://
www.nass.usda.gov by selecting ``About NASS,'' ``Advisory Committee on
Agriculture Statistics.'' The ``Advisory Committee for Agriculture
Statistics'' button is in the right column. Completed forms may be
faxed to the number above, mailed, or completed and e-mailed directly
from the Internet site.
The Committee draws on the experience and expertise of its members
to form a collective judgment concerning agriculture data collected and
the statistics issued by NASS. This input is vital to keep current with
shifting data needs in the rapidly changing agricultural environment
and keeps NASS informed of emerging issues in the agriculture community
that can affect agriculture statistics activities.
The Committee, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, consists
of 25 members representing a broad range of disciplines and interests,
including, but not limited to, producers, representatives of national
farm organizations, agricultural economists, rural sociologists, farm
policy analysts, educators, State agriculture representatives, and
agriculture-related business and marketing experts.
Members serve staggered 2-year terms, with terms for half of the
Committee members expiring in any given year. Nominations are being
sought for 10 open Committee seats. Members can serve up to 3 terms for
a total of 6 consecutive years. The Chairperson of the Committee shall
be elected by members to serve a 1-year term.
Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies, will be
followed in all membership appointments to the Committee. To ensure
that the recommendations of the Committee have taken into account the
needs of the diverse groups served by USDA, membership shall include,
to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to
represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
The duties of the Committee are solely advisory. The Committee will
make recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture with regards to
the agricultural statistics program of NASS, and such other matters as
it may deem advisable, or which the Secretary of Agriculture; Under
Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics; or the Administrator
of NASS may request. The Committee will meet at least annually. All
meetings are open to the public. Committee members are reimbursed for
official travel expenses only.
Send questions, comments, and requests for additional information
to the e-mail address, fax number, or address listed above.
Signed at Washington, DC, June 27, 2008.
Joseph T. Reilly,
Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. E8-16190 Filed 7-15-08; 8:45 am]
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