Meeting Notice of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board

AGENCY:

Research, Education, and Economics, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App 2, Section 1408 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123), and the Agricultural Act of 2014, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces a meeting of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board.

DATES:

October 19-21, 2016. The public may file written comments before or up to November 4, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

The Lory Student Center at Colorado State University, 1101 Center Avenue Mall, The Grey Rock Room, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Written comments may be sent to: The National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board Office, Room 332A, Whitten Building, United States Department of Agriculture, STOP 0321, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0321.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michele Esch, Executive Director/Designated Federal Official, or Shirley Morgan-Jordan, Program Support Coordinator, National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board; telephone: (202) 720-3684; fax: (202)720-6199; or email: nareee@ars.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose of the meeting: To provide advice and recommendations on the top priorities and policies for food and agricultural research, education, extension, and economics. The main focus of this meeting will be on the review of the relevance and adequacy of the climate and energy needs programs of the USDA Research, Education, and Extension mission area. The Board will also receive updates and information pertinent to the research, education, and economics activities in USDA. A detailed agenda may be received from the contact person identified in this notice or at https://nareeeab.ree.usda.gov/meetings/general-meetings.

Tentative Agenda: On Wednesday, October 19, 2016, an orientation session for new members and interested incumbent members will be held from 9:00 a.m. MDT-12:00 (noon) p.m. MDT. The full Advisory Board will convene at 12:00 p.m. (noon) MDT and end by 6:00 p.m. MDT.

On Thursday, October 20, 2016, the full Advisory Board will convene at 8:30 a.m. MDT. The Board will depart for a tour to the Grasslands Range Experiment Station at 12:30 p.m. MDT and return to Fort Collins at 5:00 p.m. MDT.

On Friday, October 21, 2016, the Board will reconvene at 8:00 a.m. MDT and will adjourn by 12:00 p.m. (noon) MDT.

Public Participation: This meeting is open to the public and any interested individuals wishing to attend. Opportunity for public comment will be offered each day of the meeting. To attend the meeting and/or make oral statements regarding any items on the agenda, you must contact Michele Esch or Shirley Morgan-Jordan at 202-720-3684; email: nareee@ars.usda.gov at least 5 business days prior to the meeting. Members of the public will be heard in the order in which they sign up at the beginning of the meeting. The Chair will conduct the meeting to facilitate the orderly conduct of business. 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 (or by close of business Friday, November 4, 2016). All written statements must be sent to Michele Esch, Designated Federal Officer and Executive Director, National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 332A, Jamie L. Whitten Building, Mail Stop 0321,1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0321; or email: nareee@ars.usda.gov. All statements will become a part of the official record of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board and will be kept on file for public review in the Research, Education, and Economics Advisory Board Office.