# Solicitation of Nominations for Members of the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee
**AGENCY:**
Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
**ACTION:**
Notice to solicit nominees.
**SUMMARY:**
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee). The Advisory Committee meets no less than once annually to advise AMS on the programs and services it delivers pursuant to the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA) and in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended. Recommendations by the Advisory Committee help AMS better meet the needs of its customers who operate in a dynamic and changing marketplace.
**DATES:**
AMS will consider nominations received by September 22, 2023.
**ADDRESSES:**
Submit nominations for the Advisory Committee by completing form AD-755 and send via email as an attachment to: *[email protected].* Form AD-755 may be obtained via USDA's website: *https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-755.pdf.* For more information about the committee visit the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee website: *https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/facas-advisory-councils/giac.*
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Kendra Kline, Designated Federal Officer, Telephone (202) 690- 2410 or Email *[email protected].*
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
As required by section 21 of the USGSA (7 U.S.C. 87j), as amended, and pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) established the Advisory Committee on September 29, 1981, to provide advice to the AMS Administrator on implementation of the USGSA. As specified in the USGSA, no member may serve, successively, for more than 2 terms.
The Advisory Committee consists of 15 members, who represent the interests of grain producers, processors, handlers, merchandisers, consumers, exporters, and scientists with expertise in research related to the policies in section 2 of the USGSA (7 U.S.C. 74). Members are appointed and serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of Agriculture. Members of the advisory committee serve without compensation, but may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, to the extent permitted by law for persons serving intermittently in the Government service (5 U.S.C. 5703), consistent with the availability of funds.
A list of current Advisory Committee members and other relevant information are available on the USDA website at: *https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/facas-advisory-councils/giac.*
The grain industry that utilizes Official Inspection and Weighing services for barley, canola, corn, flaxseed, oats, rye, soybeans, sorghum, sunflower seed, triticale, wheat, and mixed grain is diverse. AMS is seeking nominations for the Advisory Committee that will reflect the diversity of the grain industry, including, but not limited to, grain producers, processors, handlers, merchandisers, consumers, exporters, and scientists. Therefore, when making recommendations for appointments, the industry must consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.
USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information ( *e.g.,* Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
Equal opportunity practices in accordance with USDA's policies will be followed in all appointments to the Committee. To ensure that the recommendations of the Committee have taken in account the needs of the diverse groups served by USDA, membership shall include to the extent possible, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and person with disabilities. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Dated: August 2, 2023.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.