### 70259 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 227 / Monday, November 25, 2013 / Notices

Total Burden Hours: 136,000.

Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 2013–28251 Filed 11–22–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Council for Native American Farming and Ranching** 

**AGENCY :**  Office of Tribal Relations,

USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice of public meeting.

**SUMMARY :**  This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of The Council for Native American Farming and Ranching (CNAFR) a public advisory committee of the Office of Tribal Relations (OTR). Notice of the meetings are provided in accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2). This will be the fifth meeting of the CNAFR and will consist of, but not limited to: Hearing public comments; update on USDA programs and activities; and discussion of committee priorities. This meeting will be open to the public.

**DATES :**  The meeting will be held on December 12th, 2013 from 8: 30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and December 13th, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The meeting will be open to the public. Note that a period for public comment will be held on December 11th, 2013 from 1:30 p.m. to
4:30 p.m.

**ADDRESSES :**  The meeting and public comment period will be held at the Flamingo Las Vegas, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109.

**WRITTEN COMMENTS :**  Written comments may be submitted to: John Lowery, Designated Federal Officer, Office of Tribal Relations (OTR), 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Whitten Bldg., 500–A, Washington, DC 20250; by Fax: (202) 720–1058; or by email: John.Lowery@osec.usda.gov

. **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Questions should be directed to John Lowery, Designated Federal Officer, Office of Tribal (OTR), 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Whitten Bldg., 500–A, Washington, DC 20250; by Fax: (202) 720–1058 or email: John.Lowery@ osec.usda.gov

. **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2), USDA established an advisory council
for Native American farmers and ranchers. The CNAFR is a discretionary advisory committee established under the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture, in furtherance of the settlement agreement in Keepseagle v. Vilsack that was granted final approval by the District Court for the District of Columbia on April 28, 2011.

The CNAFR will operate under the provisions of the FACA and report to the Secretary of Agriculture. The purpose of the CNAFR is (1) to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on issues related to the participation of Native
American farmers and ranchers in USDA farm loan programs; (2) to transmit recommendations concerning any changes to FSA regulations or internal guidance or other measures that would eliminate barriers to program participation for Native American farmers and ranchers; (3) to examine methods of maximizing the number of new farming and ranching opportunities created through the farm loan program through enhanced extension and financial literacy services; (4) to examine methods of encouraging intergovernmental cooperation to mitigate the effects of land tenure and probate issues on the delivery of USDA farm loan programs; (5) to evaluate other methods of creating new farming or ranching opportunities for Native American producers; and (6) to address
other related issues as deemed appropriate.

The Secretary of Agriculture selected a diverse group of members representing a broad spectrum of persons interested in providing solutions to the challenges of the aforementioned purposes. Equal opportunity practices were considered in all appointments to the CNAFR in accordance with USDA policies. The Secretary selected the members in May 2012. Interested persons may present views, orally or in writing, on issues relating to agenda topics before the

CNAFR.

Written submissions may be submitted to the contact person on or before December 6, 2013. Oral presentations from the public will be scheduled between approximately 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on December 11th. Those individuals interested in making formal oral presentations should notify the contact person and submit a brief statement of the general nature of the issue they wish to present and the names and addresses of proposed participants by December 6, 2013. All oral presentations will be given three (3) to five (5) minutes depending on the number of participants.

OTR will also make meeting room and all agenda topics available to the public
via the OTR Web site: http:// www.usda.gov/tribalrelations no later than 10 business days before the meeting and at the meeting. In addition, the minutes from the meeting will be posted on the OTR Web site. OTR welcomes the attendance of the public at the CNAFR meetings and will make every effort to accommodate persons with physical disabilities or special needs. If you require special accommodations due to a disability, please contact John Lowery, at least 10 business days in advance of the meeting.

Dated: November 15, 2013.

Leslie Wheelock,
Director, Office of Tribal Relations.

[FR Doc. 2013–28176 Filed 11–22–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–05–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**[Doc. No. AMS–FV–13–0075]**

**2013–2015 Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee** 

**AGENCY :**  Agricultural Marketing Service,

USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice; call for nominations.

**SUMMARY :**  Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing a call for nominations to the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory
Committee. The charter for the
Committee was re-established for the
2013–2015 two-year term.

**DATES :**  Written nominations must be received on or before December 26,

2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  Nominations should be sent to Charles W. Parrott, Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2077–S, Stop 0235, Washington, DC 20250–0235; Facsimile: (202) 720–0016.
Email: Charles.parrott@ams.usda.gov

. **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Pamela Stanziani, Designated Federal Official; Phone: (202) 690–0182; Email: Pamela.stanziani@ams.usda.gov

. **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given that the Secretary of Agriculture
has reestablished the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee for two years. The purpose of the
Committee is to examine the full spectrum of issues faced by the fruit and vegetable industry and provide suggestions and ideas to the Secretary on how USDA can tailor its programs to better meet the fruit and vegetable


### 70260 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 227 / Monday, November 25, 2013 / Notices

industry’s needs. The Deputy Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service’s Fruit and Vegetable Programs will serve as the Committee’s Executive Secretary. Representatives from USDA mission areas and agencies affecting the fruit and vegetable industry will be called upon to participate in the Committee’s meetings as determined by the Committee Chairperson.

Industry members will be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and serve two or three year terms. These staggered terms include a concurrent two year term for members of the most recent, previously chartered committee, and three year terms for members new to the advisory committee, a measure implemented to initiate required staggered member terms for continual committee operation. Membership will consist of up to twenty-five (25) members who represent the fruit and vegetable industry and will include individuals representing fruit and vegetable growers/shippers, wholesalers, brokers, retailers, processors, fresh cut processors, foodservice suppliers, state agencies involved in organic and non-organic fresh fruits and vegetables at local, regional and national levels, state departments of agriculture, and trade
associations. The members of the reestablished Committee will elect the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of
the Committee. In absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson will act in the Chairperson’s stead.

The Secretary of Agriculture invites those individuals, organizations, and groups affiliated with the categories
listed above to nominate individuals for membership on the reestablished
Committee. Nominations should describe and document the proposed member’s qualifications for membership to the Committee, and list their name, title, address, telephone, and fax number. The Secretary of Agriculture seeks a diverse group of members representing a broad spectrum of persons interested in providing suggestions and ideas on how USDA can tailor its programs to meet the fruit and vegetable industry’s needs.

Individuals who are nominated will receive necessary forms from USDA for membership. The biographical
information and clearance forms must be completed and returned to USDA within 10 working days of notification, to expedite the clearance process that is required before selection of Committee members by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all appointments to the
Committee in accordance with USDA policies. To ensure that the
recommendations of the Committee
have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by USDA, membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and limited resource agriculture producers.

Dated: November 19, 2013.

Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

[FR Doc. 2013–28245 Filed 11–22–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Rural Business-Cooperative Service**

**Inviting Applications for Value-Added**
**Producer Grants**

**AGENCY :**  Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

**SUMMARY :**  USDA announces the availability of competitive grant funding through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. Approximately $10.5 million in carry over funding from fiscal year (FY) 2013 is available to helpagricultural producers enter into valueadded activities. This NOFA is being published prior to the Congressional enactment of a full-year appropriation for FY 2014. Should additional funding be made available during FY 2014 for this program RBS will continue to fund applications received under this announcement based upon the applications score. At this time, the exact amount of funding that will be made available to this program for FY 2014 is unknown. Anyone interested in submitting an application for funding under this program should consult the Rural Development Value Added Producer Grant Program Web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP

_ VAPG.html periodically for updated information regarding any FY 2014 funding for the program.

The program purpose is to help U.S.agricultural producers enter into valueadded activities. Awards may be made for either economic planning or working capital activities related to theprocessing and/or marketing of valuedadded agricultural products. The maximum grant amount for a planning grant is $75,000 and the maximum grant amount for a working capital grant is
$200,000. There is a matching funds requirement of at least $1 for every $1 in grant funds provided by the Agency (matching funds plus grant funds must equal proposed total project costs). Matching funds may be in the form of cash or eligible in-kind contributions and may be used only for eligible project purposes. Matching funds must be available at time of application and
must be certified and verified as described in 7 CFR 4284.931(b)(3) and (4).

7 CFR 4284.925 and 7 U.S.C. 1632(a) provide for the reservation of ten percent of available funds for applications submitted by Beginning and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers, and an additional ten percent of available funds for applications from farmers or ranchers proposing development of Mid-Tier Value Chains. For this announcement, Reserved Funds were not obligated prior to June 30, 2013 as required by 7 CFR 4284.925 and 7 U.S.C. 1632(a). Therefore, no reserves are available to fund these categories from FY 2013 carry over monies. However, 7 CFR 4284.925 and 7 U.S.C. 1632(a) allow the Secretary to repurpose and reuse these funds for the general VAPG competition. Beginning and Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers orRanchers and applicants proposing MidTier Value Chains can still compete and benefit by receiving priority through the award of Priority Points. Should FY 2014 funds become available, 20 percent
of those funds will be reserved for these categories.

**DATES :**  You must submit your application by February 24, 2014 or it will not be considered for funding that may be announced in a subsequent Notice. Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped or sent overnight by this date. You may also hand carry your application to one of our field offices, but it must be received by close of business on the deadline date. Electronic applications are permitted via http://www.grants.gov only, and must be received before midnight Eastern Time on this date. Late applications are not eligible for grant funding under this Notice.

**ADDRESSES :**  You should contact your USDA Rural Development State Office if you have questions about eligibility or submission requirements. You are encouraged to contact your State Office well in advance of the application deadline to discuss your project and to ask any questions about the application process. You may request technical assistance from your State Office up to 14 days prior to the application deadline. Application materials are