Meetings: Small Farms National Commission,

[Federal Register: September 22, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 183)]

[Notices]

[Page 50554]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr22se98-39]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary

National Commission on Small Farms; Meeting

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY: The Secretary of Agriculture by Departmental Regulation No. 1043-43 dated July 9, 1997, established the National Commission on Small Farms (Commission) and further identified the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide support to the Commission. The purpose of the Commission is to gather and analyze information regarding small farms and ranches and recommend to the Secretary of Agriculture a national policy and strategy to ensure their continued viability. The Commission's next meeting is October 6, 7, and 8, 1998.

PLACE, DATE AND TIME OF MEETING: On October 6, 1998, the Commission will meet at the Days Inn Crystal City Hotel, 2000 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia, from 7 p.m to 9:30 p.m. On October 7 and 8, 1998, the Commission will meet at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, Room 107A, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. On October 7, 1998, the Commission will meet from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on October 8, 1998 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive an implementation progress report from USDA on the Commission's report, ``A Time to Act,'' issued in January 1998 and to discuss future actions. The meeting is open to the public.

ADDRESSES: National Commission on Small Farms, USDA-NRCS, Post Office Box 2890, South Building, Room 6013, Washington, DC 20013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Yezak Molen, Director, National Commission on Small Farms, at the address above or at (202) 720-0122. The fax number is (202) 720-0639.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the Commission is to gather and evaluate background information, studies, and data pertinent to small farms and ranches, including limited-resource farmers. The Commission may analyze all relevant issues and make findings, develop strategies, and make recommendations for consideration by the Secretary of Agriculture toward a national strategy on small farms. On January 22, 1998, the Commission issued a report ``A Time to Act, A Report of the USDA National Commission on Small Farms.'' The report's recommendations included: proposed changes to existing policies, programs, regulations, training, and program delivery and outreach systems; suggested approaches that could assist small and beginning farmers and involve the private sectors and government, including ways to meet the needs of minorities, women, and persons with disabilities; and proposed areas where new partnerships and collaborations are needed.

The Secretary of Agriculture has determined that the work of the Commission is in the public interest and within the duties and responsibilities of USDA. Establishment of the Commission also implemented a recommendation of the USDA Civil Rights Action Report to appoint a diverse commission to develop a national policy on small farms. Individuals may submit written comments to the contact person listed above before or after the meeting.

Dated: September 17, 1998. Deborah Matz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration.

[FR Doc. 98-25339Filed9-21-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-16-P