Notice2021-20840
Intent To Establish an Equity Commission and Solicitation of Nominations for Membership on the Equity Commission Advisory Committee and Equity Commission Subcommittee on Agriculture
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Published
September 27, 2021
Issuing agencies
Agriculture Department
Abstract
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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 184 (Monday, September 27, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 184 (Monday, September 27, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53265-53267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[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.
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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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2e6b5f5b475a576d414343475d5d4741406e5b5d4a4f00494158"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d396a2a6baa7aa90bcbebebaa0a0babcbd93a6a0b7b2fdb4bca5">[email protected]</span></a>. A Federal
Official of USDA will acknowledge receipt of nominations.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dewayne L. Goldmon, Ph.D.; telephone:
(202) 997-2100; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6f0b0a180e16010a410800030b0200012f1a1c0b0e41080019"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="680c0d1f0911060d460f07040c050706281d1b0c09460f071e">[email protected]</span></a>.
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:
<bullet> 2 representatives from community-based organizations that
represent underserved communities;
<bullet> 2 representatives with expertise in policy design and/or
evaluation;
<bullet> 2 representatives with expertise in organizational
development, design thinking, and/or change management;
<bullet> 1 representative with expertise in communications/public
relations;
<bullet> 1 representative with expertise in civil rights;
<bullet> 1 representative with expertise in organizational
diversity, equity, and inclusion;
<bullet> 1 economist with knowledge of social policy and economic
disparities;
<bullet> 1 historian;
<bullet> 1 legal expert; and
<bullet> 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:
<bullet> 3 farmers or ranchers;
<bullet> 2 university personnel with research and/or extension
expertise from minority serving institutions;
<bullet> 2 individuals from community based organizations;
<bullet> 1 individual from the agricultural industry;
<bullet> 1 individual representing farmworker groups;
<bullet> 1 individual with civil rights and equity expertise;
<bullet> 3 individuals selected at the discretion of the Secretary;
and
<bullet> 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 <a href="https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/AD-755-Approved_Master-exp-3.31.22_508.pdf">https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/AD-755-Approved_Master-exp-3.31.22_508.pdf</a>.
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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#85c0f4f0ecf1fcc6eae8e8ecf6f6eceaebc5f0f6e1e4abe2eaf3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="490c383c203d300a262424203a3a202627093c3a2d28672e263f">[email protected]</span></a>
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
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