FACACLASSIC

Note: An Annual Comprehensive Review, as required by §7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is conducted each year on committee data entered for the previous fiscal year (referred to as the reporting year). The data for the reporting year is not considered verified until this review is complete and the data is moved to history for an agency/department. See the Data From Previous Years section at the bottom of this page for the committee’s historical, verified data.

Details on agency responses to committee recommendations can be found under the Performance Measures section for each committee in the fields “Agency Feedback” and “Agency Feedback Comment.”

USDA - 72334 - Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers	Agency Name	Department of Agriculture
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	72334
Original Establishment Date	12/9/2009	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	https://www.usda.gov/partnerships/advisory-comm...
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	15
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Designated Federal Officer
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix	Mrs.
Current Charter Date	9/16/2024	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Rosalie
Date Of Renewal Charter	9/16/2026	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name	J.
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Cabrera
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(202) 720-6350
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*	(202) 720-7136
Specific Establishment Authority*	Section 14008 of the Food Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Pub. L. 110-246, 122 Stat. 1651.	Designated Federal Officer Email*	rj.cabrera@usda.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	6/18/2008
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	National Policy Issue Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	This Committee continues to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the administration of outreach and assistance for the Socially Disadvantaged Minority (and Veteran) Farmers and Ranchers; the 2501 Program; and consider ways that the USDA can continue building an inclusive future in agriculture with targeted outreach and assistance to minority farmers and ranchers; and how to increase participation of targeted groups in USDA programs.
How is membership balanced?*	The Committee is composed of 15 members and includes: not less than four socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers; not less than two representatives of nonprofit organizations with a history of working with socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers; not less than two civil rights professionals; and not less than two representatives of institutions of higher education with demonstrated experience working with socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. Each committee member is appointed to two-year terms up to a maximum consecutive 6 consecutive years (i.e., 3 terms).
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	The estimated number of meetings per year are two (with possible virtual meetings on topics generated from those in-person meetings). For limited purposes, virtual meetings may occur to continue deliberations and generate recommendations on matters or measures pursued in prior public meetings that need to be revisited.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	It is in the public interest for the Committee to remain active because, historically, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers have not had equal access to USDA programs, and this Committee is uniquely situated to facilitate and continue this critical dialogue where views and experiences among socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and USDA are exchanged. It is expected that these exchanges will result in quantifiably increased participation of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in USDA programs, and positively impact the overall effectiveness and reach of these programs. This Committee also builds upon the Department's cultural transformation initiatives (e.g., equal access) and the critical strategic goal of equity particularly in the wake of the USDA Equity Commission's work which came to a close in FY 2024 (September).
Why close or partially close meetings?	N/A
Recommendation Remarks	The committee works in the interest of the public to ensure socially disadvantaged farmers -- particularly those throughout rural America -- have equal access to USDA programs. Recommendations developed in the prior term were revisited during the public meeting held in summer 2024 as a foundation for discussions with multiple agencies after which the Committee considered possible advice on how best to implement them in practical and meaningful ways. Several Farm Service Agency rules were promulgated in FY2024 which were directly linked to past recommendations and dialogues generated by this committee.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	No	Action Reorganize Priorities*	Yes
Outcome Trust In Government	Yes	Action Reallocate Resources	Yes
Outcome Major Policy Changes	Yes	Action Issued New Regulations	Yes
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	No	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	No	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	Yes	Action Other	No
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	Yes	Action Comment	This last cohort of members advanced sound and actionable recommendations that will enhance USDA's customer experience quotient and overall effectiveness in reaching and serving "all" citizens.
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	Yes	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	In FY2024, the USDA's Farm Services Administration put forth an important rule that alleviates barriers to obtaining financial assistance for struggling minority and other farmers.	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	USDA has charged this committee with very specific objectives in terms of its focus--all of which will positively impact customer experiences and that necessarily translates into cost savings -- by seamlessly meeting those objectives.	Grants Review Comment	N/A
Number Of Recommendations*	153	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	135 (previous FYs) + 18 new recommendations tendered in July FY24 right before the members' terms expired = 153 Total FYs for life of committee	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	88.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	12.0%	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	0.00%	Access Publications	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	N/A	Access Other	Yes
Agency Feedback*	No	Access Comment	In addition to Federal Register notices, emails, flyers (bilingual) and press releases are issued to notify the public of meetings and other information regarding the Committee.
Agency Feedback Comment*	Significantly, the USDA has put in place an internal process for tracking recommendations tendered, actions taken (or recommendations tabled and the reasons therefore), and compiling them in a centered database so that replies to public inquiries around specific recommendations may be timely and properly addressed. OPPE's position is that it may nevertheless be challenging to gauge the extent to which a specific recommendation may be implemented given its role and relationships with the agencies who are tasked with doing so. OPPE has put in place its own mechanisms for internal engagement with Agency POCs but understands that OSEC may be in the best position to determine outcomes of this sort given that any advice rendered would need to be 'assigned' or tasked by OSEC to the respective agencies with oversight or responsibility for stated objectives. OSEC has committed to responding to committee reports, acknowledging committee efforts, time, and resources. In special instances, OSEC may respond to specific recommendations, as appropriate.	Narrative Description*	The purposes of the Committee are to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the administration of the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive Grants Program (2501 Program), to advise the Secretary on how to increase participation of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in USDA programs, and to advise the Secretary about civil rights activities at USDA as such activities affect USDA programs.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*		1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*
2. Payments to Federal Members*		2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*
3. Payments to Federal Staff*		3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*
4. Payments to Consultants*		4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*		5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*		6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*		7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*		8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*
10. Other Costs		10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*
11. Total Costs	$0.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$0.00
Date Cost Last Modified	3/14/2025 12:45 PM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*		Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

Category Area Agriculture Agriculture Civil Rights Civil Rights Disabled Minorities Native Americans Women Eligibility Eligibility Programs

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