Solicitation of Input From Stakeholders on the Roadmap for Agricultural Research, Education, and Extension, 14767-14768 [E9-7252]

Download as PDF 14767 Notices Federal Register Vol. 74, No. 61 Wednesday, April 1, 2009 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request March 27, 2009. The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Comments regarding (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250– 7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720–8681. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:46 Mar 31, 2009 Jkt 217001 the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Agricultural Marketing Service Title: Reporting Requirements Under Regulations Governing Inspection and Grading Services of Manufactured or Processed Dairy Products. OMB Control Number: 0581–0126. Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA) of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621–1627), directs and authorizes the Department to develop standards of quality, condition, quantity, grading programs, and services to enable a more orderly marketing of agricultural products. The Government, industry and consumer will be well served if the Government can help insure that dairy products are produced under sanitary conditions and that buyers have the choice of purchasing the quality of the product they desire. The dairy grading program is a voluntary user fee program. In order for a voluntary inspection program to perform satisfactorily with a minimum of confusion, information must be collected to determine what services are requested. Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is used to identify the product offered for grading, to identify and contact the individuals responsible for payment of the grading fee and to identify the person responsible for administering the grade label program. The Agriculture Marketing service will use forms to collect essential information to carry out and administer the inspection and grading program. Description Of Respondents: Business or other for profit. Number of Respondents: 400. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion. Total Burden Hours: 361. Agricultural Marketing Service Title: Specialty Crop Block Grant Program—2008 Farm Bill. OMB Control Number: 0581–0248. Summary of Collection: The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program—Farm Bill (SCBGP–FB) is authorized under section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note, amended under section 10109 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, the Farm Bill). Section 10109 directs the Secretary of PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Agriculture to make grants to States to be used by State departments of agriculture solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Need and Use of the Information: The information collected is needed for the implementation of the SCBGP–FB, to determine a State department of agriculture’s eligibility in the program, and to certify that grant participants are complying with applicable program regulations. Description of Respondents: State Agriculture Departments. Number of Respondents: 56. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually. Total Burden Hours: 1,439. Charlene Parker, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E9–7287 Filed 3–31–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Office of the Secretary Solicitation of Input From Stakeholders on the Roadmap for Agricultural Research, Education, and Extension AGENCY: Research, Education, and Economics Office, USDA. ACTION: Notice of public comment period for written stakeholder input. SUMMARY: The Research, Education, and Extension Office (REEO) of the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting written stakeholder input on the preparation of a roadmap for agricultural research, education, and extension at USDA. The preparation of the Roadmap is mandated by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (FCEA) of 2008. By this notice, the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics has been designated to act on behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) in soliciting public comment from interested parties regarding the preparation of the Roadmap. DATES: All written comments must be received by 5 p.m. EST, May 31, 2009, to be considered. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by REE–2009–0001, by any of the following methods: E:\FR\FM\01APN1.SGM 01APN1 14768 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 61 / Wednesday, April 1, 2009 / Notices Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. E-mail: Roadmap@osec.usda.gov. Include REE–2009–0001 in the subject line of the message. Fax: (202) 690–1677. Mail: Paper, disk or CD–ROM submissions should be submitted to: Michele Simmons; Research, Education, and Extension Office (REEO); U.S. Department of Agriculture; Mail Stop 0114; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington, DC 20250–0114. Hand Delivery/Courier: Michele Simmons; Research, Education, and Extension Office (REEO); U.S. Department of Agriculture; Room 3858– S; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington, DC 20250–0114. Instructions: All submissions received must include the title ‘‘Roadmap’’ and REE–2009–0001. All comments received will be posted to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele Simmons, (202) 720–1777 (phone), (202) 690–1677 (fax), or Roadmap@osec.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Additional Comment Procedures Information on the REEO and Roadmap is available for review at https://www.ree.usda.gov. Written comments must be received by 5 p.m. EST, May 31, 2009, to be considered. All comments, when they become available, may be reviewed on the REE Web page for six months. Background and Purpose The preparation of the roadmap for agricultural research, education, and extension is mandated in section 7504 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (FCEA) of 2008, (Pub. L. 110–246, 7 U.S.C. 7614a. The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Education (Under Secretary), will prepare the Roadmap. The Secretary will implement and use the Roadmap to set the agricultural research, education, and extension agenda of the Department of Agriculture. The Under Secretary is also the Chief Scientist for USDA, responsible for the coordination of the research, education, and extension activities of the Department. [7 U.S.C. 6971(c)]. The Research, Education, and Extension Office (REEO) recently organized within the Office of the Under Secretary is the office that provides such coordination, per 7 U.S.C. #6971(e)(1). Therefore the Office of the Chief Scientist and Under VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:46 Mar 31, 2009 Jkt 217001 Secretary is inviting input on the Roadmap to be provided to the REEO by all interested parties from the Federal Government and nongovernmental entities. The Roadmap will identify current trends and constraints and major opportunities and gaps that no single entity within the Department of Agriculture would be able to address individually. Stakeholder input is encouraged on any and all aspects of the development and implementation of the Roadmap, including responses to the following questions: 1. What types of current and future critical issues (including those affecting citizens, communities and natural resources) does agriculture face that no USDA entity could address individually? 2. What criteria should USDA use to prioritize agricultural science (i.e., research, education, and extension) investments to address these issues? 3. How might USDA better coordinate agricultural sciences among its various agencies and with its partners? 4. What are some examples where agricultural sciences are successfully coordinated for maximum benefit? Why are they successful? 5. What are some examples where agricultural sciences are not coordinated effectively? Why is coordination lacking? What are the barriers? 6. What else might USDA do to improve coordination of science; enhance USDA’s ability to identify issues and prioritize investments; and elevate its role in science implementation and coordination? Implementation Plans The Under Secretary and the REEO plan to consider stakeholder input received from written comments in developing the Roadmap. The Secretary will make the Roadmap available to the public, with an expected publication date of not later than September 16, 2009. Done at Washington, DC, this 4th day of March, 2009. Katherine Smith, Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics. [FR Doc. E9–7252 Filed 3–31–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Commodity Credit Corporation Farm Service Agency RIN 0560–AH60 Farm Storage Facility Loan Program; Public Meetings AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation and Farm Service Agency, USDA. ACTION: Notice of public meetings and request for comments. SUMMARY: The Farm Service Agency (FSA), on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), is holding public meetings to solicit comments on the Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) Program. The comments received at the public meetings will be considered in the development and preparation of a Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for FSFL. The purpose of the PEA is to assist in providing USDA decision-makers and the public with an analysis of the environmental benefits and potential impacts associated with implementing various changes to FSFL consistent with the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). CCC administers the FSFL program and is now conducting a comprehensive review of the current policies, achievements, and potential future program changes. The meetings provide an opportunity for the public to voice any concerns they may have about the program and any ideas for improving it in the future consistent with the 2008 Farm Bill. DATES: Public meetings: The public meetings will be held on April 14, 2009, Kansas City, KS, and April 15, 2009, Cleveland, OH. Comments: We will consider comments that we receive by May 13, 2009. We will consider comments submitted after that date, to the extent possible. ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program and to participate in the public meetings. The public meeting locations are: 1. Kansas City—Hilton Garden Inn Kansas City (McCarthy Gallery), 520 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101. 2. Cleveland—Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown (Edison 1 Room), 1100 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland OH 44115. You may also submit comments by any of the following methods: E:\FR\FM\01APN1.SGM 01APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 1, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14767-14768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7252]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Solicitation of Input From Stakeholders on the Roadmap for 
Agricultural Research, Education, and Extension

AGENCY: Research, Education, and Economics Office, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public comment period for written stakeholder input.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Research, Education, and Extension Office (REEO) of the 
Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area of the Department 
of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting written stakeholder input on the 
preparation of a roadmap for agricultural research, education, and 
extension at USDA. The preparation of the Roadmap is mandated by the 
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (FCEA) of 2008. By this notice, the 
Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics has been 
designated to act on behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) 
in soliciting public comment from interested parties regarding the 
preparation of the Roadmap.

DATES: All written comments must be received by 5 p.m. EST, May 31, 
2009, to be considered.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by REE-2009-0001, by any 
of the following methods:

[[Page 14768]]

    Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
    E-mail: Roadmap@osec.usda.gov. Include REE-2009-0001 in the subject 
line of the message.
    Fax: (202) 690-1677.
    Mail: Paper, disk or CD-ROM submissions should be submitted to: 
Michele Simmons; Research, Education, and Extension Office (REEO); U.S. 
Department of Agriculture; Mail Stop 0114; 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW.; Washington, DC 20250-0114.
    Hand Delivery/Courier: Michele Simmons; Research, Education, and 
Extension Office (REEO); U.S. Department of Agriculture; Room 3858-S; 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington, DC 20250-0114.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the title 
``Roadmap'' and REE-2009-0001. All comments received will be posted to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele Simmons, (202) 720-1777 
(phone), (202) 690-1677 (fax), or Roadmap@osec.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Additional Comment Procedures

    Information on the REEO and Roadmap is available for review at 
https://www.ree.usda.gov. Written comments must be received by 5 p.m. 
EST, May 31, 2009, to be considered. All comments, when they become 
available, may be reviewed on the REE Web page for six months.

Background and Purpose

    The preparation of the roadmap for agricultural research, 
education, and extension is mandated in section 7504 of the Food, 
Conservation, and Energy Act (FCEA) of 2008, (Pub. L. 110-246, 7 U.S.C. 
7614a. The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Research, 
Education, and Education (Under Secretary), will prepare the Roadmap. 
The Secretary will implement and use the Roadmap to set the 
agricultural research, education, and extension agenda of the 
Department of Agriculture.
    The Under Secretary is also the Chief Scientist for USDA, 
responsible for the coordination of the research, education, and 
extension activities of the Department. [7 U.S.C. 6971(c)]. The 
Research, Education, and Extension Office (REEO) recently organized 
within the Office of the Under Secretary is the office that provides 
such coordination, per 7 U.S.C. 6971(e)(1). Therefore the 
Office of the Chief Scientist and Under Secretary is inviting input on 
the Roadmap to be provided to the REEO by all interested parties from 
the Federal Government and nongovernmental entities.
    The Roadmap will identify current trends and constraints and major 
opportunities and gaps that no single entity within the Department of 
Agriculture would be able to address individually. Stakeholder input is 
encouraged on any and all aspects of the development and implementation 
of the Roadmap, including responses to the following questions:
    1. What types of current and future critical issues (including 
those affecting citizens, communities and natural resources) does 
agriculture face that no USDA entity could address individually?
    2. What criteria should USDA use to prioritize agricultural science 
(i.e., research, education, and extension) investments to address these 
issues?
    3. How might USDA better coordinate agricultural sciences among its 
various agencies and with its partners?
    4. What are some examples where agricultural sciences are 
successfully coordinated for maximum benefit? Why are they successful?
    5. What are some examples where agricultural sciences are not 
coordinated effectively? Why is coordination lacking? What are the 
barriers?
    6. What else might USDA do to improve coordination of science; 
enhance USDA's ability to identify issues and prioritize investments; 
and elevate its role in science implementation and coordination?

Implementation Plans

    The Under Secretary and the REEO plan to consider stakeholder input 
received from written comments in developing the Roadmap. The Secretary 
will make the Roadmap available to the public, with an expected 
publication date of not later than September 16, 2009.

    Done at Washington, DC, this 4th day of March, 2009.
Katherine Smith,
Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics.
 [FR Doc. E9-7252 Filed 3-31-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE

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