Notice2026-00779
Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC); Call for Nominations
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
January 16, 2026
Issuing agencies
Environmental Protection Agency
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting nominations for membership on the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC). The purpose of the FRRCC is to provide policy advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 11 (Friday, January 16, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 11 (Friday, January 16, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2128-2129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00779]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-13110-01-OA]
Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC);
Call for Nominations
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice request for nominations.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting
nominations for membership on the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities
Advisory Committee (FRRCC). The purpose of the FRRCC is to provide
policy advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA
Administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies that are
of importance to agriculture and rural communities.
DATES: To be considered for the 2025-2027 appointments, nominations
should be submitted no later than March 2, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Submit nominations electronically with the subject line
``FRRCC Membership 2025-2027'' to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3f796d6d7c7c7f5a4f5e11585049"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="440216160707042134256a232b32">[email protected]</span></a>.
General information regarding the FRRCC can be found on the EPA
website at: <a href="http://www.epa.gov/faca/frrcc">www.epa.gov/faca/frrcc</a>. General information about federal
advisory committees at EPA is available at <a href="http://www.epa.gov/faca">www.epa.gov/faca</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Park, Deputy Associate
Administrator for Strategic Initiatives, Office of External Affairs,
U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone
number: 202-564-2529; email address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0d4b5f5f4e4e4d687d6c236a627b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="afe9fdfdececefcadfce81c8c0d9">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
EPA established the FRRCC in 2008 pursuant to the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, to help EPA build a more positive and
proactive relationship with the agricultural industry in furtherance of
EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment. The FRRCC
serves as part of EPA's efforts to expand cooperative working
relationships with the agriculture community and others who are
interested in agricultural issues and achieving greater progress in
environmental protection. The FRRCC provides advice and recommendations
to the EPA Administrator on environmental issues and programs that
impact, or are of concern to, farms, ranches, and rural communities.
Topics addressed may include water or air quality issues, pesticides,
toxics, food loss and waste, emergency response, enforcement and
compliance, technology and innovation, and other topics of
environmental importance pertaining to agriculture and rural
communities. The charter for the FRRCC was renewed November 12th, 2025.
The membership of this committee will include a balanced representation
of interested persons with relevant experience to contribute to the
functions of the committee, and will be drawn from relevant sectors,
including but not limited to academia, agricultural industry,
nongovernmental organizations, and state, local, and tribal
governments.
The FRRCC will be comprised of no more than 21 members: including
one chair, and one vice-chair. Additional members, commonly referred to
as ``alternates,'' are not permitted. Members will serve no more than
three, two-year terms; except in the initial implementation where ten
members shall serve one three-year term, and eleven members shall serve
the standard two-year term. The three-year term will count as one-term
towards the two-term limit. The intent of the initial three-year term
is to stagger the departure of members and preserve institutional
memory. Term limits will commence upon renewal of this charter and will
not consider service rendered prior to this charter.
The full committee expects to meet up to two times per calendar
year. Meetings will be held in Washington, DC, the EPA Regions, and/or
virtually. The Administrator may ask members to serve on subcommittees
and workgroups to develop reports and recommendations to address
specific policy issues, reflecting the priorities of the
administration. The average workload for members is approximately five
hours per month. Members serve on the committee in a voluntary
capacity. Although we are unable to offer compensation or an
honorarium, members may receive travel and per diem allowances,
according to applicable Federal travel regulations and the agency's
budget.
II. Eligibility
Because of the nature of the issues to be discussed, it is the
intent of the Agency for the majority of Committee members to be
actively engaged in farming or ranching. The membership of this
committee will include a balanced representation of interested persons
with relevant experience to contribute to the functions of the
committee and will be drawn from a variety of relevant sectors. Members
may represent farmers, ranchers, and rural communities (can include
large, small, crop, livestock, commodity, and specialty producers from
various regions)--and their allied industries (farm groups, rural
suppliers, marketers, processors, etc.) as well as the academic/
research community who research environmental issues impacting
agriculture, tribal agriculture groups, state, local, and tribal
government, and environmental/conservation and other nongovernmental
organizations. Individuals are generally appointed to serve on the
FRRCC as ``Representative'' members and are thus expected to represent
the points of view of a particular group (e.g., an industry sector),
rather than provide independent judgment and expertise. Other Federal
agencies and other sectors as appropriate may be invited to attend or
provide presentations at committee meetings as non-members.
In selecting committee members, EPA will consider each candidate's
qualifications including, but not limited to, on whether the candidate
is:
<bullet> Actively engaged in farming
<bullet> Occupies a senior position within their organization
<bullet> Holds leadership positions in ag-related organizations,
businesses and/or workgroups
<bullet> Has broad agricultural experience regardless of their current
position
<bullet> Has experience working on issues where building consensus is
necessary
<bullet> Has membership in professional societies, broad-based networks
or the equivalent
<bullet> Has extensive experience in the environmental field dealing
with agricultural issues
<bullet> Provides services to producers
<bullet> Is involved in processing, retailing, manufacturing, and
distribution of agricultural products
<bullet> Possesses a professional knowledge of agricultural issues and
environmental policy
<bullet> Possesses a demonstrated ability to examine and analyze
complicated environmental issues with objectivity and integrity
<bullet> Possesses excellent interpersonal as well as oral and written
communication skills
<bullet> Possesses an ability and willingness to participate in a
deliberative and collaborative process
In addition, well-qualified applicants must be prepared to process
a substantial amount of complex and technical information and the
ability to volunteer several hours per month to
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the committee's activities, including participation in teleconference
meetings and preparation of text for committee reports.
III. Nominations
Any interested person or organization may submit the names of
qualified persons, including themselves. To be considered, all
nominations should include the information requested below:
Nominee Contact Information
<bullet> Name:
<bullet> Organization:
<bullet> Business address:
<bullet> Position/Title:
<bullet> Email address:
<bullet> Phone number:
Statement (limit to 1 page)
<bullet> (1) Interest and Availability:
<bullet> (2) Identify group(s) whose views you are representing and
how. Potential groups include Farmer; Rancher; Academia; Federal/State/
Local/Tribal Government; Non-governmental Organization; Agriculture
Industry; Other: __.
<bullet> (3) Prior experience on Federal Advisory Committee(s),
please provide dates of service:
<bullet> (4) How did you learn of the FRRCC Membership opportunity:
Attach resume or CV (limit to 5 pages) detailing the nominee's
background, experience and qualifications and other relevant
information. Submit through <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c6809494858586a3b6a7e8a1a9b0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2761757564646742574609404851">[email protected]</span></a> with the subject line ``FRRCC
Membership 2025-2027.'' Letters of support and recommendation will be
accepted but are not mandatory. Other sources, in addition to this
Federal Register document, may be utilized in the solicitation of
nominees. EPA encourages the nominations of interested individuals from
diverse backgrounds. Individuals may self-nominate.
Dated: December 23, 2025.
Henry Turner Bridgforth,
Senior Advisor for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, EPA.
[FR Doc. 2026-00779 Filed 1-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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