The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is looking for 20-30 nominees to serve on the Farm, Ranch & Rural Communities Committee (FRRCC).

Established in 2008, the FRRCC provides independent policy advice, information and recommendations to the EPA administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies of importance to agriculture and rural communities.

“One of our key priorities at EPA is to strengthen and solidify our relationship with agricultural stakeholders and rural communities by ensuring the agency is well informed on how its decisions impact rural America,” EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said. “Recruiting full membership of the Farm, Ranch & Rural Communities Committee is the perfect opportunity to engage with those in our agriculture community, and I look forward to receiving the committee's valuable input on important matters before the EPA in the very near future.”

To build a broad and balanced representation of perspectives for the FRRCC, members will be selected from a variety of relevant sectors. Members may represent allied industries and stakeholders, including farm groups, rural suppliers, marketers, processors and academia/researchers; state, local and tribal governments, and non-government organizations.

In selecting committee members, EPA said it will consider qualifications such as: whether candidates are actively engaged in farming, hold leadership positions in agriculture-related organizations, possess a demonstrated ability to examine and analyze complicated environmental issues with objectivity and integrity, have experience working on issues where building consensus is necessary and are able to volunteer several hours per month to the committee's activities.

The previous charter for the FRRCC was scheduled to expire and, therefore, was renewed in 2018; however, the committee currently has no members. EPA is specifically seeking 20-30 members for two- to three-year terms, and the committee expects to meet approximately twice a year.

Applications must include a résumé or curriculum vitae and a statement of interest and must be received by EPA by Dec. 31, 2019. Letters of support and recommendation will be accepted but are not mandatory.

Full details about qualifications and how to apply will be published in a Federal Register notice, which will be posted once available on the committee's website at www.epa.gov/faca/frrcc.