The U.S. Department of Agriculture is looking for applicants interested in serving on the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers.
Established in the Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 to ensure underserved farmers have equal access to USDA programs, the committee is responsible for putting forth solutions to challenges faced by minority farmers and ranchers and is administered by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, according to a March 28 USDA news release.
"Advisory Committee members will represent underserved farmers and farming communities and should also reflect the diversity of agriculture in geography, size, scale and type of production," the news release reported.
With the committee consisting of 15 members who serve two-year terms and may be reappointed for an additional term of equal length, all the ongoing moves are largely viewed as being part of USDA’s commitment to advance equity for all, especially for farmers and producers in underserved communities, the release reported.
Members will include six or more farmers or ranchers, two or more individuals from minority-serving institutions of higher education, two or more individuals from community-based nonprofit organizations and two or more individuals with civil rights and equity expertise, according to the release.
Committee members will meet at least once a year to advise the secretary of Agriculture on the implementation of the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, ways to maximize the participation of minority farmers and ranchers in USDA programs and civil rights activities related to participants in such programs, the release reported.
Nominations may be submitted electronically to the Advisory Committee’s inbox at acmf@usda.gov, according to the release. All those received by April 23 will be considered.
Nominations may also be sent via first-class mail to Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Mail Stop 0601, Washington, DC 20250, the release reported.
