USDA is taking nominations for membership on the department's Tribal Advisory Committee.
The committee was established in the 2018 farm bill and provides guidance to the agriculture secretary regarding tribal affairs.
“Establishing the Tribal Advisory Committee is an important step towards ensuring tribal perspectives are well represented at USDA and positioned to inform how the Department meets its trust responsibility to tribes across the nation,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “I encourage applicants from across the country to apply and look forward to working with my counterparts on the Hill to appoint members who represent the diversity of voices across Indian Country.”
In a release, the USDA says the Tribal Advisory Committee is among the department's attempts to “remove barriers to service for tribal governments, citizens, and tribal nations.”
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The committee is required to meet twice a year but is expected to meet quarterly. The committee will produce an annual report to Congress along with recommendations to the USDA on its programs and policies.
"While USDA will continue to consult with tribes on a regular basis, this Tribal Advisory Committee is an important partner in the Office of Tribal Relations mission of advising the secretary on tribal issues,” said Acting Director of Tribal Relations Deb DuMontier.
Nominations will be accepted through Aug. 14.
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