Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is asking for nominations to the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers. This committee will advise on how to provide outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, methods to maximize participation of minority farmers and ranchers in USDA programs and civil rights activities related to program participation.

"This committee will help ensure that USDA provides the proper outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers so that they have the opportunity to fully participate in all of USDA's programs," Vilsack said.

The committee, which was established by the 2008 Farm Bill, will be composed of not more than 15 members. The membership will include no less than four socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers; no less than two representatives of nonprofit organizations with a history of working with minority farmers and ranchers; no less than two civil rights professionals; and no less than two representatives of institutions of higher education with demonstrated experience working with minority farmers and ranchers along with others that Vilsack may select.

Nominations should describe and document the proposed member's qualifications and must be received at USDA by May 24.

The nomination may be in the form of a letter or on a completed Advisory Committee Membership background Information Questionnaire (Form AD-55). Those nominated for this committee will be required to complete and submit this form.

The form is available from: Elaine Hauhn, Designated Federal Official (DFO) for the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers, Office of Advocacy and Outreach, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Whitten Building, 240W, Washington, DC 20250-0522. Phone: (202) 720-1229; Fax (202) 720-2191; Email: Elaine.Hauhn@osec.usda.gov.

The form is also available at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/ad755.pdf . However, nominees who complete the form online must print their completed forms from the Adobe PDF file, sign, and mail or fax them to Elaine Hauhn. All inquiries about the nomination process and submissions of the AD-755 should be made to Elaine Hauhn.