Forestry Research Advisory Council

The Forestry Research Advisory Council (FRAC) is required by the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to provide advice to the Secretary of Agriculture on accomplishing efficiently the purposes of the McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962. The act authorizes the secretary to support states in carrying out a program of forestry research through land-grant colleges or agricultural experiment stations and other state-supported colleges and universities that offer graduate training in the sciences basic to forestry. The council also provides advice related to the Forest Service research program, authorized by the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978. Council responsibilities cover regional and national forestry research planning and coordination within Federal and State agencies, forestry schools, forest industries, and non-governmental organizations. The council is composed of up to 20 members appointed by the secretary and drawn from Federal, State, university, industry, and non-governmental organizations. It convenes at least annually and presents recommendations to the secretary. The Deputy Chief of Forest Service Research and Development serves as the Executive Secretary of the Council and coordinates development of FRAC agendas and other activities with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which is responsible for apportionment of funds under the McIntire-Stennis Program.