The committee works in the interest of the public to ensure socially disadvantaged farmers have equal access to USDA programs. The committee advises the Secretary on: the implementation of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279); methods of maximizing the participation of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers in USDA programs; and civil rights activities within USDA, as such activities relate to participants in USDA programs.
The Minority Farmers Advisory Committee host public meetings to deliberate on recommendations for USDA Secretarial consideration. These recommendations provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary on methods to maximize minority participation in USDA's programs and services.
Members of the committee are appointed for 1- to 2-year terms by the Secretary. The committee members are composed of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, representatives from nonprofit organizations, civil rights professionals, and representatives from institutions of higher learning.
Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers Charter
USDA Announces New Members of the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers
Upcoming meetings
The conference call will be held Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST).
Public Call-in Information: Conference call-in number: Dial-in 888-251-2949 or 215-861-0694 Participant Access Code: 4711144#.
October 2020 MFAC Agenda (PDF, 80.6 KB)
Please be advised that before placing them into the conference call, the operator will ask callers to provide their names, their organizational affiliations (if any), and email addresses (so that callers may be notified of future meetings). Callers can expect to incur charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, and the USDA will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over land-line connections to the toll-free conference call-in number.
Public Comments: Written comments for the Committee's consideration may be submitted to email: ACMF@usda.gov. Written comments must be received by October 6, 2020.
Accessibility: USDA is committed to ensuring that all persons are included in our programs and events. If you are a person with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to participate in this meeting please contact Eston Williams at Eston.Williams@usda.gov or (202) 596-0226.
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.
Committee Recommendations
- July 2020 MFAC Committee Agenda & Meeting Minutes (PDF, 13.6 MB)
- May 2016 MFAC Committee Agenda & Meeting Materials
- 2015 (MFAC FINAL Signed Ltr on Litigation 10.7.15)
- 2015 (MFAC Letter to Vilsack SIGNED FINAL June 2016)
- 2015 (MFAC Recommendation on Full Funding for OAO & 2501)
- 2011 (Committee Recommendations) (PDF, 2.6 MB)
Past Committee Meetings
- May 2016 MFAC Committee Agenda & Meeting Materials
- September 2015 MFAC Agenda and Meeting Materials
Contact Us
Eston Williams
Designated Federal Official
USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 520-A
Washington, D.C. 20250-0170
Phone: 202-720-6350
Email: acmf@usda.gov