Intent To Establish an Equity Commission and Solicitation of Nominations for Membership on the Equity Commission Advisory Committee and Equity Commission Subcommittee on Agriculture, 53265-53267 [2021-20840]
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lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 184 / Monday, September 27, 2021 / Notices
Section 112 of the Act, as amended,
codified the establishment of the
Interagency Working Group (IAWG) on
U.S. Government-Sponsored
International Exchanges and Training,
and mandated the IAWG with managing
a ‘‘coordinated strategy for all U.S.
Government-sponsored international
exchange and training programs,’’ with
a primary purpose and responsibility
‘‘to collect, analyze, and report data
provided by all U.S. Government
departments and agencies conducting
international exchanges and training
programs.’’ As a statutory member of the
IAWG, USAID participates in the annual
mandated request for data reporting on
USAID international exchanges and
training programs and participants.
The Training and Exchanges
Automated Management System
(TEAMS) is USAID’s official data
management system and the entry point
for data for U.S. exchange visitor
programs. TEAMS incorporates
processes to manage and support EV’s
who will come to the U.S. on a USAID
J–1 visa. TEAMS manages data by
interfacing with the Department of
Homeland Security’s (DHS) Student and
Exchange Visitor Information System
(SEVIS), the system that DHS uses to
maintain and monitor participants in
U.S. programs. All EV’s must be
registered in SEVIS. USAID utilizes
SEVIS to report on EV programs, and to
issue Certificates of Eligibility for
Exchange Visitor Status (Form DS–
2019). The Automated Directive System
(ADS) Chapter 252—Visa Compliance
for Exchange Visitors, requires Agency
operating units (OUs) or their
Implementing Partners, in accordance
with their awards, to enter data into
TEAMS relevant to U.S. visits by
sponsored foreign nationals who are
recipients of USAID development
assistance. TEAMS replaces the
Training Results and Information
Network (TraiNet) and Visa Compliance
System (VCS). TEAMS combines the
functionality of TraiNet and VCS into
one system.
The Bureau for Management, Office of
Management Policy, Budget and
Performance (M/MPBP) relies on
TEAMS data for the following uses: (1)
EV program management; (2) batching
USAID data to SEVIS; and, (3) annual
mandated reporting to IAWG. USAID
OUs use TEAMS data of U.S.-based EVs,
and in-country and third-country based
training participants, for internal
reporting and portfolio management.
IV. Request for Comments
All comments must be in writing and
submitted through the methods
specified in the ADDRESSES section
above. All submissions must include the
information collection title. Please
include your name, title, organization,
postal address telephone number, and
email address in the text of the message.
Please note that comments submitted in
response to this Notice are public
record. We recommend that you do not
submit detailed personal information,
confidential business Information, or
any information that is otherwise
protected from disclosure by statute.
USAID will only address comments
that explain why the proposed
collection would be inappropriate,
ineffective, or unacceptable without a
change. Comments that are insubstantial
or outside the scope of the notice of
request for public comment may not be
considered.
Susan C. Radford,
Management and Program Analyst, Bureau
for Management, Office of Management
Policy, Budget, and Performance, U.S. Agency
for International Development.
[FR Doc. 2021–20900 Filed 9–24–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Intent To Establish an Equity
Commission and Solicitation of
Nominations for Membership on the
Equity Commission Advisory
Committee and Equity Commission
Subcommittee on Agriculture
United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA), the United States Department
Electronic.
18:08 Sep 24, 2021
Title of Information Collection:
Training and Exchanges Automated
Management System (TEAMS).
Type of Review: New Information
Collection.
OMB Number: Not assigned.
Affected Public who will be asked or
required to respond: Exchange Visitor’s
as defined in ADS Chapter 252—Visa
Compliance for Exchange Visitors.
Estimated Total Number of
Respondents per Year: Approximately
1,500–2,000 annually based on current
year estimates.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 375–
500 hours (1,500–2000 participants × 15
minutes per participant).
SUMMARY:
II. Method of Collection
VerDate Sep<11>2014
III. Data
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53265
of Agriculture announces its intent to
establish an Equity Commission (EC)
including a Subcommittee on
Agriculture. The EC will advise the
Secretary of Agriculture by facilitating
identification of critical USDA
programs, policies, systems, structures,
and practices that contribute to barriers
to inclusion or access, systemic
discrimination, or exacerbate or
perpetuate racial, economic, health and
social disparities. The EC will be
governed by the provisions of FACA.
Concurrent to creation of the Equity
Commission, a Subcommittee on
Agriculture will be formed that will be
charged with providing
recommendations on issues of concern
related to agriculture to optimize USDA
programs, dismantle structural
inequities and systemic discrimination,
and promote social justice particularly
for historically underserved and diverse
communities served by USDA. This
notice also solicits nominations for
membership on the EC and the EC’s
Subcommittee on Agriculture.
DATES: We will consider nominations
that are submitted via email or
postmarked by October 27, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Please submit nominations
to Dr. Dewayne L. Goldmon, USDA
Senior Advisor for Racial Equity, Office
of the Secretary, Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW, Room 6006–S, Washington, DC
20250; or send by email to:
EquityCommission@usda.gov. A Federal
Official of USDA will acknowledge
receipt of nominations.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dewayne L. Goldmon, Ph.D.; telephone:
(202) 997–2100; email:
dewayne.goldmon@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
1006(a)(3) of the American Rescue Plan
Act of 2021 directs the Secretary of the
United States Department of Agriculture
to create an Equity Commission to
advise the Agency in ‘‘address[ing]
historical discrimination and disparities
in the agriculture sector,’’ which
includes ‘‘fund[ing] one or more equity
commissions to address racial equity
issues within USDA and its programs.’’
Public Law 117–2.
EC and Subcommittee on Agriculture
Scope and Purpose
The purpose of the EC is to advise the
Secretary of Agriculture by identifying
USDA programs, policies, systems,
structures, and practices that contribute
to barriers to inclusion or access,
systemic discrimination, or exacerbate
or perpetuate racial, economic, health
and social disparities.
E:\FR\FM\27SEN1.SGM
27SEN1
53266
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 184 / Monday, September 27, 2021 / Notices
The scope of duties of the EC is
advisory and extends only to the
submission of advice and
recommendations to the Secretary,
which shall be non-binding. The EC will
make no determination of fact or policy.
The EC will deliver an interim report
focused on characterizing the problems
and barriers to accessing USDA
programs and services and provide
actionable recommendations on
reducing these barriers that underserved
individuals, organizations, businesses,
or communities may face accessing the
information, resources, programs, and
services USDA offers, no later than 12
months after inception. A final report on
the same topic shall be generated within
a two-year timeframe.
The EC is expected to begin meeting
during the Winter of 2021/2022 and to
meet up to four times per year (either
virtually or in person, or as deemed
necessary by the Secretary of
Agriculture). Pursuant to FACA, all EC
meetings will be open to the public.
The Subcommittee on Agriculture
will be formed concurrently and be
focused on providing recommendations
on issues of concern related to
agriculture. The subcommittee will meet
as deemed necessary by the
subcommittee chairperson and may
meet through teleconference or by
computer-based conferencing. The EC
and subcommittee may invite subject
matter experts to present information for
consideration. The subcommittee
meetings will not be announced in the
Federal Register. All data and records
available to the full EC are expected to
be available to the public when the full
EC reviews and approves the work of
the subcommittee.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
EC and Subcommittee on Agriculture
Overview and Membership
The criteria for consideration for
membership on the EC and
Subcommittee on Agriculture include
diversity in demographics, regions of
the country, background, and in
experience and expertise. The EC must
adhere to equal opportunity practices
consistent with USDA policy. The EC
and subcommittee will require
substantial representation from those
whose mission is to serve or advocate
for underserved communities,
minorities, women, individuals with
disabilities, individuals with limited
English proficiency, rural communities,
and LGBTQI+ communities. Other
perspectives to capture include those
from the small business community,
higher education institutions,
farmworker groups, and members of the
American population and communities
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:08 Sep 24, 2021
Jkt 253001
who bring their personal experiences to
the discussion.
The EC shall be composed of 15
members appointed by the Secretary of
Agriculture for a two-year term and may
be reappointed for up to two additional
terms, and shall include:
• 2 representatives from communitybased organizations that represent
underserved communities;
• 2 representatives with expertise in
policy design and/or evaluation;
• 2 representatives with expertise in
organizational development, design
thinking, and/or change management;
• 1 representative with expertise in
communications/public relations;
• 1 representative with expertise in
civil rights;
• 1 representative with expertise in
organizational diversity, equity, and
inclusion;
• 1 economist with knowledge of
social policy and economic disparities;
• 1 historian;
• 1 legal expert; and
• 3 such other persons representing a
broad spectrum of related interests as
the Secretary considers appropriate.
The Secretary and Deputy Secretary
will designate a Co-Chair to serve along
with the Deputy Secretary, serving one
(1) year from the date of appointment to
the Equity Commission; their role as CoChair may be renewed. The Co-Chair
will be an individual who is recognized
for their ability to lead in a fair and
focused manner.
The EC members will be reimbursed
for travel expenses, including per diem
instead of subsistence, authorized by 5
U.S.C. 5703, in the same manner as a
person employed intermittently in the
Government service.
The EC’s Subcommittee on
Agriculture will be comprised of 15
members who have expertise in
agriculture, federal farm, conservation,
and extension programs. Two members
of the Subcommittee on Agriculture will
be members of the EC. The majority of
the subcommittee members should be
familiar with USDA and reflect the
diversity of agriculture in geography,
size, scale, and type of production. The
majority of subcommittee members
should represent historically
underserved populations or
communities and shall include:
• 3 farmers or ranchers;
• 2 university personnel with
research and/or extension expertise
from minority serving institutions;
• 2 individuals from community
based organizations;
• 1 individual from the agricultural
industry;
• 1 individual representing
farmworker groups;
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
• 1 individual with civil rights and
equity expertise;
• 3 individuals selected at the
discretion of the Secretary; and
• 2 members of the EC (as explained
above).
The Subcommittee on Agriculture
will report back to the parent committee
(EC), and must not provide advice or
work products directly to the agency.
Member Nominations
Any interested person or organization
may nominate qualified individuals for
membership. Interested candidates may
nominate themselves. Individuals who
wish to be considered for membership
on the EC and/or the Subcommittee on
Agriculture must submit a nomination
with information, including a
background disclosure form (Form AD–
755). Nominations should be typed and
include the following:
1. A brief summary, no more than two
pages, explaining the nominee’s
qualifications to serve on the EC or
subcommittee and addressing the
membership composition and criteria
described above.
2. A resume providing the nominee’s
background, experience, and
educational qualifications.
3. A completed background disclosure
form (Form AD–755) signed by the
nominee https://www.ocio.usda.gov/
sites/default/files/docs/2012/AD-755Approved_Master-exp-3.31.22_508.pdf.
4. Any recent publications by the
nominee relative to organizational
change management, diversity equity
and inclusion, reducing barriers to
accessing public programs and services,
addressing historical discrimination and
disparities or other related works that
would make evident why an
individual’s experience, expertise and
perspective would add value to the
Equity Commission or Agriculture
Subcommittee (if appropriate).
5. Letters of endorsement (optional).
Nomination for the EC and
subcommittee membership is open to
the public, including minorities,
LGBTQI+ individuals, women, and
persons with disabilities in areas
designated within the United States,
Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the
U.S. Virgin Islands), and the Pacific
Basin Area (Guam, American Samoa,
and the Commonwealth of the Northern
Marianna Islands).
All candidates should have a shared
commitment to ensuring USDA is a
diverse, equitable, inclusive, accessible
organization that upholds its
commitment to civil rights and
effectively advances racial justice and
equity. Please send typed nominations
to:
E:\FR\FM\27SEN1.SGM
27SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 184 / Monday, September 27, 2021 / Notices
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Office of the Secretary, Attn: Dewayne
L. Goldmon, Ph.D., 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Room
6006–S, Washington, DC 20250;
telephone: (202) 997–2100, email:
EquityCommission@usda.gov
A Federal Official of USDA will
acknowledge receipt of nominations.
Ethics Statement
To maintain the highest levels of
honesty, integrity and ethical conduct,
no Committee or subcommittee member
shall participate in any ‘‘specific party
matters’’ (i.e., matters are narrowly
focused and typically involve specific
transactions between identified parties)
such as a lease, license, permit, contract,
claim, grant, agreement, or related
litigation with the Department in which
the member has a direct financial
interest. This includes the requirement
for Committee or Subcommittee
members to immediately disclose to the
DFO (for discussion with USDA’s Office
of Ethics) any specific party matter in
which the member’s immediate family,
relatives, business partners or employer
would be directly seeking to financially
benefit from the Committee’s
recommendations.
All members will receive ethics
training to identify and avoid any
actions that would cause the public to
question the integrity of the
Committee’s advice and
recommendations. Members who are
appointed as ‘‘Representatives’’ are not
subject to Federal ethics laws because
such appointment allows them to
represent the point(s) of view of a
particular group, business sector or
segment of the public.
Members appointed as ‘‘Special
Government Employees’’ (SGEs) are
considered intermittent Federal
employees and are subject to Federal
ethics laws. SGE’s are appointed due to
their personal knowledge, academic
scholarship, background or expertise.
No SGE may participate in any activity
in which the member has a prohibited
financial interest. Appointees who are
SGEs are required to complete and
submit a Confidential Financial
Disclosure Report (OGE–450 form) via
the FDonline e-filing database system.
Upon request USDA will assist SGEs in
preparing these financial reports. To
ensure the highest level of compliance
with applicable ethical standards USDA
will provide ethics training to SGEs on
an annual basis. The provisions of these
paragraphs are not meant to
exhaustively cover all Federal ethics
laws and do not affect any other
statutory or regulatory obligations to
which advisory committee members are
subject.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:08 Sep 24, 2021
Jkt 253001
Equal Opportunity Statement
To ensure that recommendations of
the EC take into account the needs of
underserved and diverse communities
served by the USDA, membership will
include, to the extent practicable,
individuals representing minorities,
women, and persons with disabilities.
USDA prohibits discrimination in all of
its programs and activities based on
race, sex, color, national origin, gender,
religion, age, sexual orientation, or
disability. Additionally, discrimination
based on political beliefs and marital
status or family status is also prohibited
by statutes enforced by USDA (not all
prohibited bases apply to all programs).
Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of
program information (Braille, large
print, audiotape, etc.) should contact
USDA’s Technology and Accessible
Resources Give Employment Today
Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity
provider and employer.
Dated: September 21, 2021.
Cikena Reid,
Committee Management Officer, USDA.
[FR Doc. 2021–20840 Filed 9–24–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Kisatchie Resource Advisory
Committee
Forest Service, Agriculture
(USDA).
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
The Kisatchie Resource
Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a
virtual meeting by phone/video
conference. The committee is
authorized under the Secure Rural
Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act (the Act) and
operates in compliance with the Federal
Advisory Committee Act. The purpose
of the committee is to improve
collaborative relationships and to
provide advice and recommendations to
the Forest Service concerning projects
and funding consistent with Title II of
the Act. RAC information and virtual
meeting information can be found at the
following website: https://
www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/kisatchie/
home/?cid=fseprd518681&width=full.
DATES: The meeting will be held on
October 14, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. to 7:00
p.m., Central Daylight Time.
All RAC meetings are subject to
cancellation. For status of the meeting
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
53267
prior to attendance, please contact the
person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held
virtually via telephone and video
conference. The public may access the
virtual meeting details and invitation at
the following website: https://
www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/kisatchie/
home/?cid=fseprd518681&width=full.
Written comments may be submitted
as described under SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION. All comments, including
names and addresses when provided,
are placed in the record and are
available for public inspection and
copying. The public may inspect
comments received upon request.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa
Lewis, Designated Federal Officer
(DFO), by phone at 318–473–7102 or
email at lisa.w.lewis@usda.gov or Jim
Caldwell, RAC Coordinator, at 337–353–
4668 or email at james.caldwell@
usda.gov.
Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf/
hard-of-hearing (TDD) may call the
Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–
877–8339, 24 hours a day, every day of
the year, including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
purpose of the meeting is to:
1. Hear from Title II project proponents
and discuss project proposals;
2. Make funding recommendations on Title
II projects;
3. Select a Chairperson for the committee;
4. Approve meeting minutes; and
5. Set a date for the next meeting.
The meeting is open to the public.
The agenda will include time for people
to make oral statements of three minutes
or less. Individuals wishing to make an
oral statement should make a request in
writing by October 8, 2021, to be
scheduled on the agenda. Anyone who
would like to bring related matters to
the attention of the committee may file
written statements with the committee
staff before or after the meeting. Written
comments and requests for time for oral
comments must be sent to Stacy
Blomquist, Kisatchie National Forest,
2500 Shreveport Hwy., Pineville, LA
71360; or by email to stacy.blomquist@
usda.gov.
Meeting Accommodations: Please
make requests in advance for sign
language interpreter services, assistive
listening devices, or other reasonable
accommodations. For access to
proceedings, please contact the person
listed in the section titled FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT. All reasonable
accommodation requests are managed
on a case-by-case basis.
E:\FR\FM\27SEN1.SGM
27SEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 184 (Monday, September 27, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53265-53267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20840]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Intent To Establish an Equity Commission and Solicitation of
Nominations for Membership on the Equity Commission Advisory Committee
and Equity Commission Subcommittee on Agriculture
AGENCY: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA),
the United States Department of Agriculture announces its intent to
establish an Equity Commission (EC) including a Subcommittee on
Agriculture. The EC will advise the Secretary of Agriculture by
facilitating identification of critical USDA programs, policies,
systems, structures, and practices that contribute to barriers to
inclusion or access, systemic discrimination, or exacerbate or
perpetuate racial, economic, health and social disparities. The EC will
be governed by the provisions of FACA. Concurrent to creation of the
Equity Commission, a Subcommittee on Agriculture will be formed that
will be charged with providing recommendations on issues of concern
related to agriculture to optimize USDA programs, dismantle structural
inequities and systemic discrimination, and promote social justice
particularly for historically underserved and diverse communities
served by USDA. This notice also solicits nominations for membership on
the EC and the EC's Subcommittee on Agriculture.
DATES: We will consider nominations that are submitted via email or
postmarked by October 27, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Please submit nominations to Dr. Dewayne L. Goldmon, USDA
Senior Advisor for Racial Equity, Office of the Secretary, Department
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6006-S, Washington,
DC 20250; or send by email to: [email protected]. A Federal
Official of USDA will acknowledge receipt of nominations.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dewayne L. Goldmon, Ph.D.; telephone:
(202) 997-2100; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1006(a)(3) of the American Rescue
Plan Act of 2021 directs the Secretary of the United States Department
of Agriculture to create an Equity Commission to advise the Agency in
``address[ing] historical discrimination and disparities in the
agriculture sector,'' which includes ``fund[ing] one or more equity
commissions to address racial equity issues within USDA and its
programs.'' Public Law 117-2.
EC and Subcommittee on Agriculture Scope and Purpose
The purpose of the EC is to advise the Secretary of Agriculture by
identifying USDA programs, policies, systems, structures, and practices
that contribute to barriers to inclusion or access, systemic
discrimination, or exacerbate or perpetuate racial, economic, health
and social disparities.
[[Page 53266]]
The scope of duties of the EC is advisory and extends only to the
submission of advice and recommendations to the Secretary, which shall
be non-binding. The EC will make no determination of fact or policy.
The EC will deliver an interim report focused on characterizing the
problems and barriers to accessing USDA programs and services and
provide actionable recommendations on reducing these barriers that
underserved individuals, organizations, businesses, or communities may
face accessing the information, resources, programs, and services USDA
offers, no later than 12 months after inception. A final report on the
same topic shall be generated within a two-year timeframe.
The EC is expected to begin meeting during the Winter of 2021/2022
and to meet up to four times per year (either virtually or in person,
or as deemed necessary by the Secretary of Agriculture). Pursuant to
FACA, all EC meetings will be open to the public.
The Subcommittee on Agriculture will be formed concurrently and be
focused on providing recommendations on issues of concern related to
agriculture. The subcommittee will meet as deemed necessary by the
subcommittee chairperson and may meet through teleconference or by
computer-based conferencing. The EC and subcommittee may invite subject
matter experts to present information for consideration. The
subcommittee meetings will not be announced in the Federal Register.
All data and records available to the full EC are expected to be
available to the public when the full EC reviews and approves the work
of the subcommittee.
EC and Subcommittee on Agriculture Overview and Membership
The criteria for consideration for membership on the EC and
Subcommittee on Agriculture include diversity in demographics, regions
of the country, background, and in experience and expertise. The EC
must adhere to equal opportunity practices consistent with USDA policy.
The EC and subcommittee will require substantial representation from
those whose mission is to serve or advocate for underserved
communities, minorities, women, individuals with disabilities,
individuals with limited English proficiency, rural communities, and
LGBTQI+ communities. Other perspectives to capture include those from
the small business community, higher education institutions, farmworker
groups, and members of the American population and communities who
bring their personal experiences to the discussion.
The EC shall be composed of 15 members appointed by the Secretary
of Agriculture for a two-year term and may be reappointed for up to two
additional terms, and shall include:
2 representatives from community-based organizations that
represent underserved communities;
2 representatives with expertise in policy design and/or
evaluation;
2 representatives with expertise in organizational
development, design thinking, and/or change management;
1 representative with expertise in communications/public
relations;
1 representative with expertise in civil rights;
1 representative with expertise in organizational
diversity, equity, and inclusion;
1 economist with knowledge of social policy and economic
disparities;
1 historian;
1 legal expert; and
3 such other persons representing a broad spectrum of
related interests as the Secretary considers appropriate.
The Secretary and Deputy Secretary will designate a Co-Chair to
serve along with the Deputy Secretary, serving one (1) year from the
date of appointment to the Equity Commission; their role as Co-Chair
may be renewed. The Co-Chair will be an individual who is recognized
for their ability to lead in a fair and focused manner.
The EC members will be reimbursed for travel expenses, including
per diem instead of subsistence, authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5703, in the
same manner as a person employed intermittently in the Government
service.
The EC's Subcommittee on Agriculture will be comprised of 15
members who have expertise in agriculture, federal farm, conservation,
and extension programs. Two members of the Subcommittee on Agriculture
will be members of the EC. The majority of the subcommittee members
should be familiar with USDA and reflect the diversity of agriculture
in geography, size, scale, and type of production. The majority of
subcommittee members should represent historically underserved
populations or communities and shall include:
3 farmers or ranchers;
2 university personnel with research and/or extension
expertise from minority serving institutions;
2 individuals from community based organizations;
1 individual from the agricultural industry;
1 individual representing farmworker groups;
1 individual with civil rights and equity expertise;
3 individuals selected at the discretion of the Secretary;
and
2 members of the EC (as explained above).
The Subcommittee on Agriculture will report back to the parent
committee (EC), and must not provide advice or work products directly
to the agency.
Member Nominations
Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified
individuals for membership. Interested candidates may nominate
themselves. Individuals who wish to be considered for membership on the
EC and/or the Subcommittee on Agriculture must submit a nomination with
information, including a background disclosure form (Form AD-755).
Nominations should be typed and include the following:
1. A brief summary, no more than two pages, explaining the
nominee's qualifications to serve on the EC or subcommittee and
addressing the membership composition and criteria described above.
2. A resume providing the nominee's background, experience, and
educational qualifications.
3. A completed background disclosure form (Form AD-755) signed by
the nominee https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/AD-755-Approved_Master-exp-3.31.22_508.pdf.
4. Any recent publications by the nominee relative to
organizational change management, diversity equity and inclusion,
reducing barriers to accessing public programs and services, addressing
historical discrimination and disparities or other related works that
would make evident why an individual's experience, expertise and
perspective would add value to the Equity Commission or Agriculture
Subcommittee (if appropriate).
5. Letters of endorsement (optional).
Nomination for the EC and subcommittee membership is open to the
public, including minorities, LGBTQI+ individuals, women, and persons
with disabilities in areas designated within the United States,
Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and the
Pacific Basin Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the
Northern Marianna Islands).
All candidates should have a shared commitment to ensuring USDA is
a diverse, equitable, inclusive, accessible organization that upholds
its commitment to civil rights and effectively advances racial justice
and equity. Please send typed nominations to:
[[Page 53267]]
Office of the Secretary, Attn: Dewayne L. Goldmon, Ph.D., 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Room 6006-S, Washington, DC 20250; telephone:
(202) 997-2100, email: [email protected]
A Federal Official of USDA will acknowledge receipt of nominations.
Ethics Statement
To maintain the highest levels of honesty, integrity and ethical
conduct, no Committee or subcommittee member shall participate in any
``specific party matters'' (i.e., matters are narrowly focused and
typically involve specific transactions between identified parties)
such as a lease, license, permit, contract, claim, grant, agreement, or
related litigation with the Department in which the member has a direct
financial interest. This includes the requirement for Committee or
Subcommittee members to immediately disclose to the DFO (for discussion
with USDA's Office of Ethics) any specific party matter in which the
member's immediate family, relatives, business partners or employer
would be directly seeking to financially benefit from the Committee's
recommendations.
All members will receive ethics training to identify and avoid any
actions that would cause the public to question the integrity of the
Committee's advice and recommendations. Members who are appointed as
``Representatives'' are not subject to Federal ethics laws because such
appointment allows them to represent the point(s) of view of a
particular group, business sector or segment of the public.
Members appointed as ``Special Government Employees'' (SGEs) are
considered intermittent Federal employees and are subject to Federal
ethics laws. SGE's are appointed due to their personal knowledge,
academic scholarship, background or expertise. No SGE may participate
in any activity in which the member has a prohibited financial
interest. Appointees who are SGEs are required to complete and submit a
Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450 form) via the
FDonline e-filing database system. Upon request USDA will assist SGEs
in preparing these financial reports. To ensure the highest level of
compliance with applicable ethical standards USDA will provide ethics
training to SGEs on an annual basis. The provisions of these paragraphs
are not meant to exhaustively cover all Federal ethics laws and do not
affect any other statutory or regulatory obligations to which advisory
committee members are subject.
Equal Opportunity Statement
To ensure that recommendations of the EC take into account the
needs of underserved and diverse communities served by the USDA,
membership will include, to the extent practicable, individuals
representing minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. USDA
prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities based on
race, sex, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual
orientation, or disability. Additionally, discrimination based on
political beliefs and marital status or family status is also
prohibited by statutes enforced by USDA (not all prohibited bases apply
to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative
means for communication of program information (Braille, large print,
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's Technology and Accessible
Resources Give Employment Today Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Dated: September 21, 2021.
Cikena Reid,
Committee Management Officer, USDA.
[FR Doc. 2021-20840 Filed 9-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-P
