Notice2022-03074
USDA Equity Commission
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 14, 2022
Issuing agencies
Agriculture Department
Abstract
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that the inaugural meeting of the USDA Equity Commission (EC or Commission) and Subcommittee for Agriculture will convene to begin its work reviewing USDA programs, services and policies for the purpose of making recommendations for how the Department can improve access and advance equity.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 30 (Monday, February 14, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 30 (Monday, February 14, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8227-8228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03074]
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Notices
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 30 / Monday, February 14, 2022 /
Notices
[[Page 8227]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
USDA Equity Commission
AGENCY: Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice of virtual meeting.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the
rules and regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that the
inaugural meeting of the USDA Equity Commission (EC or Commission) and
Subcommittee for Agriculture will convene to begin its work reviewing
USDA programs, services and policies for the purpose of making
recommendations for how the Department can improve access and advance
equity.
DATES: The EC meeting will be open to the public and held virtually via
Zoom on Monday, February 28, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST.
ADDRESSES: The webinar for the meeting and public comment period can be
accessed by internet and/or phone. Access information will be provided
to registered individuals via email. Detailed information can be found
at: <a href="https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission">https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cecilia Hernandez, Designated Federal
Officer, USDA Equity Commission, Office of the Secretary, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Room 6006-S, Washington, DC 20250-0235; Phone:
(202) 913-5907; Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#236652564a575a404c4e4e4a50504a4c4d63565047420d444c55"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="236652564a575a404c4e4e4a50504a4c4d63565047420d444c55">[email protected]</span></a>.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339
between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through
Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 20, 2021, President Biden signed
an Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for
Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government and committed to
creating the USDA Equity Commission as part of his rural agenda and
commitment to closing the racial wealth gap and addressing longstanding
inequities in agriculture. Section 1006 of the American Rescue Plan
directed USDA to create the Equity Commission and provided funds
sufficient to ensure the Commission is well staffed and positioned to
deliver on its charge.
The USDA Equity Commission will advise the Secretary of Agriculture
and provide USDA with an analysis of how its programs, policies,
systems, structures, and practices contribute to barriers to inclusion
or access, systemic discrimination, or exacerbate or perpetuate racial,
economic, health and social disparities and recommendations for action.
A Subcommittee on Agriculture is being formed concurrently and will
report back to the Equity Commission and provide recommendations on
issues of concern related to agriculture. Subsequent subcommittees will
focus on other policy areas, such as rural community and economic
development. The Equity Commission will deliver an interim report and
provide actionable recommendations by September 2022. A final report
will be completed by the summer of 2023.
Meeting Agenda: Agenda items may include, but are not limited to,
welcome and introductions; administrative matters; overview of
governance including roles and responsibilities; the purpose, scope,
and priorities of the Equity Commission; and the overview and charge of
the Agriculture Subcommittee. Please check the USDA Equity Commission
website for an agenda 24-48 hours prior to February 28th at <a href="https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission">https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission</a>.
Register for the Meeting: The public is asked to pre-register for
the meeting by visiting <a href="https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission">https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission</a>. Your
pre-registration must state: Your name; organization or interest
represented; if you are planning to give oral comments; and if you
require special accommodations. USDA will also accept day-of
registrations.
Oral Comments: The Commission is providing the public an
opportunity to provide oral comments and will accommodate as many
individuals and organizations as time permits. Persons or organizations
wishing to make oral comments must pre-register by 11:59 p.m. ET,
Monday, February 21, 2022, and may only register for one speaking slot.
Participants who wish to make oral comments must also be available to
attend a tech-check the day before the meeting. Instructions for
registering and participating in the meeting can be found on <a href="https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission">https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission</a>.
Written Comments: Written public comments for consideration at the
meeting will be accepted on or before 11:59 p.m. Monday, February 21,
2022, EST. Comments submitted after this date will be provided to USDA,
but the Commission may not have adequate time to consider those
comments prior to the meeting. The USDA Equity Commission strongly
prefers comments be submitted electronically. However, written comments
may also be submitted (i.e., postmarked) via mail to the person listed
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section by or before the
deadline. Written comments will be accepted up to 15 days after the
meeting.
Availability of Materials for the Meeting: All written public
comments received by February 21, 2022, will be compiled into a file
and available for member review and be included in the meeting minutes.
Duplicate comments from multiple individuals will appear as one
comment, with a notation that multiple copies of the comment were
received. Please visit <a href="https://www.usda.gov/equity-commissiontoviewtheagendaand/or">https://www.usda.gov/equity-commissiontoviewtheagendaand/or</a> minutes from this meeting.
Meeting Accommodations: USDA is committed to making its electronic
and information technologies accessible to individuals with
disabilities by meeting or exceeding the requirements of Section 508 of
the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended. If you need
reasonable accommodations, please make requests in advance for
reasonable accommodations through the meeting registration link on
<a href="https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission">https://www.usda.gov/equity-commission</a>. Determinations for reasonable
accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.
[[Page 8228]]
Dated: February 9, 2022.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-03074 Filed 2-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-P
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