4. USDA Advisory Committee on Small Farms 

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. app.2), a Notice was published in the Federal Register on June 10, 1999, that the Secretary of Agriculture proposed to establish a U.S. Department of Agriculture Advisory Committee on Small Farms, hereinafter referred to as the Committee.  On December 6, 1999, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman named 19 members to serve on this Committee which replaces the USDA Commission on Small Farms. Click here for a list of the Advisory Committee on Small Farms Members. 

As outlined below, the Advisory Committee is authorized for two years. It will review USDA programs and strategies to implement small farm policy and advise the Secretary on approaches to improve the department programs.  

Duties --- The Committee will monitor government and private sector actions and policy and program proposals that relate to small farms, ranches and woodlots, including limited-resource farms, ranches and woodlots; evaluate the impact such actions and proposals may have upon the viability and growth of small farms, ranches and woodlots; review USDA programs and strategies to implement small farm policy; advise the Secretary on actions to strengthen USDA programs; and evaluate other approaches that the Committee would deem advisable or which the Secretary of Agriculture or the Director of Sustainable Development and Small Farms may request the Committee to consider. 

Committee Appointments and Length of Terms --- The Secretary of Agriculture shall make all appointments to the Committee and the members will serve at the Secretary's discretion. All Members will serve two-year terms. As vacancies occur, the Secretary will appoint members as appropriate. The Committee may establish subcommittees as it determines necessary subject to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act  and the approval of the chair or the chair's designee. 

Membership --- The Committee will have 19 members appointed by the Secretary, one of whom will serve as chair, and one of whom will serve as a vice-chair as decided by the Committee. Members will represent small farms, ranches and woodlots, and the diverse groups USDA programs serve, including but not limited to, finance, commerce, conservation, cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, rural communities, academia, state and local governments, women and minorities, farm workers, and other interests as the Secretary determines. 

EEO Policy --- USDA will follow equal opportunity practices in making appointments to the Committee. To ensure that recommendations of the Committee take into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department, membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. 

Meetings --- The duties of the Committee are solely advisory. The Committee will meet at least once a year and make recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture regarding USDA's small farms program and other matters related to small farms. The first advisory committee meeting is scheduled for 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM on Tuesday, January 19, 2000 in Room 104A and 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM on Wednesday, January 20, 2000 in Room 107A of USDA's Jamie Whitten Federal Building, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W. here in Washington. 

Final Report --- This report, Building on A Time to Act, is the final product of an advisory committee appointed by the previous Administration and does not necessarily reflect the views of the current Administration. To view a copy of the Committee's final report, click HERE.