Council for Native American Farming and Ranching, 71396 [2012-28938]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Office of Tribal Relations

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 231 (Friday, November 30, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 71396]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-28938]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 231 / Friday, November 30, 2012 / 
Notices

[[Page 71396]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of Tribal Relations


Council for Native American Farming and Ranching

AGENCY: Office of Tribal Relations, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of The Council for 
Native American Farming and Ranching (CNAFR) a public advisory 
committee of the Office of Tribal Relations (OTR). Notice of the 
meetings are provided in accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2). This 
will be the second meeting of the CNAFR and will consist of, but not 
limited to: Hearing public comments; update of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture's (USDA) programs and activities; discussion of committee 
priorities; and the creation of Sub-committees. This meeting will be 
open to the public.

DATES: The meeting will be held on December 13, 2012 from 8 a.m. to 5 
p.m. The meeting will be open to the public. Note that a period for 
public comment will be held on December 12, 2012, from 1:30 p.m. to 
4:30 p.m. and December 13, 2012 from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Flamingo Las Vegas, 3555 Las 
Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109. The public comment period 
and CNAFR meeting will take place within the Flamingo's Reno II room.
    Written Comments: Written comments may be submitted to: Joanna 
Mounce Stancil, Designated Federal Officer, Director, Office of Tribal 
Relations (OTR), 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Whitten Bldg., 500-A, 
Washington, DC 20250; by Fax: (202) 720-1058; or by email: 
John.Lowery@osec.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be directed to John 
Lowery, Tribal Relations Manager, OTR, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., 
Whitten Bldg., 500A, Washington, DC 20250; by Fax: (202) 720-1058 or 
email: John.Lowery@osec.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the provisions of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2), 
USDA established an advisory council for Native American farmers and 
ranchers. The CNAFR is a discretionary advisory committee established 
under the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture, in furtherance of 
the settlement agreement in Keepseagle v. Vilsack that was granted 
final approval by the District Court for the District of Columbia on 
April 28, 2011.
    The CNAFR will operate under the provisions of the FACA and report 
to the Secretary of Agriculture. The purpose of the CNAFR is (1) to 
advise the Secretary of Agriculture on issues related to the 
participation of Native American farmers and ranchers in USDA farm loan 
programs; (2) to transmit recommendations concerning any changes to FSA 
regulations or internal guidance or other measures that would eliminate 
barriers to program participation for Native American farmers and 
ranchers; (3) to examine methods of maximizing the number of new 
farming and ranching opportunities created through the farm loan 
program through enhanced extension and financial literacy services; (4) 
to examine methods of encouraging intergovernmental cooperation to 
mitigate the effects of land tenure and probate issues on the delivery 
of USDA farm loan programs; (5) to evaluate other methods of creating 
new farming or ranching opportunities for Native American producers; 
and (6) to address other related issues as deemed appropriate.
    The Secretary of Agriculture selected a diverse group of members 
representing a broad spectrum of persons interested in providing 
solutions to the challenges of the aforementioned purposes. Equal 
opportunity practices were considered in all appointments to the CNAFR 
in accordance with USDA policies. The Secretary selected the members in 
May 2012. Interested persons may present views, orally or in writing, 
on issues relating to agenda topics before the CNAFR.
    Written submissions may be submitted to the contact person on or 
before December 5, 2012. Oral presentations from the public will be 
scheduled between approximately 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on December 12, 
2012 and 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on December 13, 2012. Those individuals 
interested in making formal oral presentations should notify the 
contact person and submit a brief statement of the general nature of 
the issue they wish to present and the names and addresses of proposed 
participants by December 5, 2012. All oral presentations will be given 
3 to 5 minutes depending on the number of participants.
    OTR will also make all agenda topics available to the public via 
the OTR Web site: https://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=OTR no later than 10 business days before the meeting 
and at the meeting. In addition, the minutes from the meeting will be 
posted on the OTR Web site. OTR welcomes the attendance of the public 
at the CNAFR meetings and will make every effort to accommodate persons 
with physical disabilities or special needs. If you require special 
accommodations due to a disability, please contact John Lowery, at 
least 10 business days in advance of the meeting.

    Dated: November 16, 2012.
Joanna Mounce Stancil,
Director, Office of Tribal Relations, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2012-28938 Filed 11-29-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P