WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will convene a panel of subject matter experts to discuss needs for federal statistics about women and beginning farmers and ranchers. The panel meeting will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on April 2 and 3 at the USDA offices, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington D.C. Only the meeting on April 2 is open to the public. The panel will hear public comment (pre-registration required) in the morning on April 2 as well as in writing before and up to two weeks following the meeting. These comments will be included in the public record.
“Through data collected in the Census of Agriculture and our knowledge of farming trends, we know agriculture is changing,” said NASS’s Chief Mathematical Statistician and Director of Research and Development Dr. Linda J. Young. “As a federal statistical agency, we want to understand what information those who use the data need now and in the near future, given the roles of women and beginner farmers today.”
Expert Panel on Statistics for Women and Beginner Farmers
Purpose: To discuss needs for federal statistics about women and beginning farmers and ranchers.
When: Thursday April 2, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.(open to the public) and Friday, April 3, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed to the public).
Oral Public Comment: Pre-register at least 5 days in advance via 800-727-9540 or [email protected]. Registrants may make public comments of up to 3 minutes on the morning of April 2. If there are multiple representatives from one organization one representative will be given priority; the others will be accommodated as time allows so that all organizations and unaffiliated individuals have the opportunity to provide comments. NASS will provide attendance details to those who register.
Written Public Comment: Send written comment of up to 500 words to [email protected]; FAX 202-690-2090; or USDA/NASS, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6035, South Building, Washington, DC 20250.
More Information: Federal Register Notice http://federalregister.gov/a/2015-06181
