Notice of Intent To Request To Conduct a New Information Collection, 57503-57504 [2014-22831]

Download as PDF 57503 Notices Federal Register Vol. 79, No. 186 Thursday, September 25, 2014 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. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Board for International Food and Agricultural Development; Notice of Meeting Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, notice is hereby given of the public meeting of the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD). The meeting will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 in Salon B of the Des Moines Marriott Downtown Hotel in Des Moines, Iowa. The meeting will be streamed live on the Internet. The link to the global live stream is on BIFAD’s home page: https:// www.usaid.gov/bifad. The central theme of this year’s meeting will be Feeding the World in 2050: Agricultural Research Capacity and Youth Engagement. Dr. Brady Deaton, BIFAD Chair, will preside over the public business meeting, which will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. with opening remarks. At this public meeting, the Board will address old and new business and hear from USAID, the university community, and other experts on progress and mechanisms for advancing programming in agricultural research and capacity development. BIFAD Chairman Deaton will present an outreach report on his participation in the World Edible Legume Research Conference hosted by the USAID Innovation Lab for Grain Legumes. The first panel in the session will inform BIFAD and the public on updates from USAID principals on the Presidential Feed the Future Initiative and other USAID initiatives, including progress to date and the Feed the Future research, policy and capacity development strategy. USAID principals also will present the USAID Nutrition Strategy. Starting at 1:45 p.m., BIFAD member Harold Martin will chair a second panel on Needs for agricultural research capacity to feed the world in 2050. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Sep 24, 2014 Jkt 232001 George Norton from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) will discuss returns to investment in agricultural research and Keith Fuglie from the USDA Economic Research Service will explain the use of Total Factor Productivity Studies in measuring agricultural research investments. The third panel session, chaired by BIFAD Chair Deaton, will focus on Youth Engagement in Food Security Efforts. Dean June Henton will discuss the Auburn University Hunger Initiative, and Gary Burniske, Purdue Managing Director of the Purdue University Global Food Security Center, will provide an update on the Global Food Security Fellows Program, a USAID program for US university students. At 3:30 p.m. the BIFAD Awards for Scientific Excellence in a Title XII Innovation Lab will be announced and presented by Chair Deaton and BIFAD member Waded Cruzado, followed by a half-hour public comment period from 4:00–4:30 p.m. At 4:30 p.m. Chair Brady Deaton will make closing remarks and adjourn the public meeting. Those wishing to attend the meeting or obtain additional information about BIFAD should contact Susan Owens, Executive Director and Designated Federal Officer for BIFAD in the Bureau for Food Security at USAID. Interested persons may write to her in care of the U.S. Agency for International Development, Ronald Reagan Building, Bureau for Food Security, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Room 2.09– 067, Washington, DC 20523–2110 or telephone her at (202) 712–0218. Susan Owens, Executive Director and USAID Designated Federal Officer for BIFAD, Bureau for Food Security, U.S. Agency for International Development. [FR Doc. 2014–22839 Filed 9–24–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE National Agricultural Statistics Service Notice of Intent To Request To Conduct a New Information Collection National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Notice and request for comments. ACTION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to seek approval to conduct a new information collection, the Organic Certifiers Survey. This will be a voluntary survey that will be conducted annually. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 24, 2014 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535– NEW, by any of the following methods: • Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. Include docket number above in the subject line of the message. • eFax: (855) 838–6382. • Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD– ROM submissions to: David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250– 2024. • Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Renee Picanso, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, (202) 720–2707. Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, at (202) 690–2388. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Organic Certifiers Survey OMB Control Number: 0535–NEW Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to conduct a new information collection for a period of three years. Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop and livestock production, prices, and disposition as well as economic statistics, farm numbers, land values, on-farm pesticide usage, pest crop management practices, as well as the Census of Agriculture. The sample will consist of all organizations that certify farm and ranch operations that have met the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\25SEN1.SGM 25SEN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 57504 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 186 / Thursday, September 25, 2014 / Notices Federal standards to be classified as organic producers. The survey will collect data for all States that have certified producers (crops and livestock). The survey will collect the number of operations that are certified organic for each State, along with the number of acres certified for the various crops, and the number of head of livestock and poultry certified as organic. The data will be used by NASS as administrative data so that future needs to collect organic data from farm and ranch operations can be kept to a minimum. The National Agricultural Statistics Service will publish summaries once a year at the State level and for each major organic commodity when possible. Due to confidentiality rules, some State level data may be combined and published at the regional or national level to prevent disclosure of individual operation’s data. Authority: These data will be collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this authority are governed by Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-aggregated data provided by respondents. This Notice is submitted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. NASS also complies with OMB Implementation Guidance, ‘‘Implementation Guidance for Title V of the E-Government Act, Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),’’ Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June 15, 2007, p. 33362. Estimate of Burden: This data collection will be done in a two step process. The first step will involve a personal visit from one of our State or Regional Field Office statisticians with the managers of these certifying organizations to introduce them to NASS and to discuss the data collection needs. NASS will also collect some basic profile information at that time. This initial visit should take approximately 1 hour. The second step will involve the compiling and reporting of the data. In this second step it is estimated to take the respondent less than 15 hours to compile and report the data for their state(s). If the respondent would like to provide one of our field enumerators access to their data, we will compile the data for the respondent(s). The surveys will be voluntary and will be conducted once a year. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Sep 24, 2014 Jkt 232001 Respondents: Organic certifying organizations Estimated Number of Respondents: 55 Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: Approximately 900 hours Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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 the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (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, technological or other forms of information technology collection methods. All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record and be summarized in the request for OMB approval. Signed at Washington, DC, September 11, 2014. R. Renee Picanso, Associate Administrator. [FR Doc. 2014–22831 Filed 9–24–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–20–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Housing Service Rural Business-Cooperative Service Rural Utilities Service 2014 Farm Bill Implementation Listening Session—Rural Community College Coordinated Strategy Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of Public Listening Session. AGENCY: As part of the implementation of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (commonly referred to as the 2014 Farm Bill), USDA Rural Development is hosting a listening session to receive public input about ways USDA can help community colleges form partnerships and get funding for local economic development. The 2014 Farm Bill directs USDA to work with community and technical colleges on a strategy to help them better serve the needs of local rural communities. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The listening session will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to voice their comments, concerns or requests regarding this strategy. Instructions to register for and attend the listening session are in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. DATES: Listening session: The listening session will be on Thursday, October 9, 2014, and will begin at 2:00 p.m. and is scheduled to end no later than 4:00 p.m. Registration: You must register by October 7, 2014, to attend in person and to provide oral comments during the listening session. Comments: A recording of public comments will be available. To obtain a copy of the recording, contact Dexter Pearson, dexter.pearson@wdc.usda.gov. Written comments are due by October 10, 2014. Written comments must be submitted electronically via the Federal eRulmaking Portal: Regulations.gov (see below). ADDRESSES: The listening session will be held in Room 107–A of the Whitten Building at 14th Street and Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250. We invite you to participate in the listening session. The listening session is open to the members of the public who register (see below). For participants who cannot attend in person, remote participation will be available: Dial 1–888–469–0566 and enter Conference ID: 3499699. We invite all participants to submit comments by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments; or • Orally at the listening sessions; please also provide a written copy of your comments online as specified. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dexter Pearson, 202–401–9790, Email: dexter.pearson@wdc.usda.gov. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720– 2600 (voice and TDD). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 7, 2014, the 2014 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 113–79) was signed into law. The Secretary of Agriculture and the respective USDA agencies, including Rural Development, are working to implement the provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill as expeditiously as possible to meet the needs of stakeholders. To plan and implement the newly authorized Rural College Coordinated Strategy, it is important to consult and engage with our stakeholders to learn and E:\FR\FM\25SEN1.SGM 25SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 186 (Thursday, September 25, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57503-57504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22831]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request To Conduct a New Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS) to seek approval to conduct a new information 
collection, the Organic Certifiers Survey. This will be a voluntary 
survey that will be conducted annually.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 24, 2014 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
NEW, by any of the following methods:
     Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     eFax: (855) 838-6382.
     Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to: 
David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20250-2024.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: David Hancock, 
NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South 
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Renee Picanso, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, (202) 720-2707. Copies of this information 
collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from 
David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, at (202) 690-2388.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Organic Certifiers Survey
    OMB Control Number: 0535-NEW
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to conduct a new 
information collection for a period of three years.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare and issue State and national 
estimates of crop and livestock production, prices, and disposition as 
well as economic statistics, farm numbers, land values, on-farm 
pesticide usage, pest crop management practices, as well as the Census 
of Agriculture.
    The sample will consist of all organizations that certify farm and 
ranch operations that have met the

[[Page 57504]]

Federal standards to be classified as organic producers. The survey 
will collect data for all States that have certified producers (crops 
and livestock). The survey will collect the number of operations that 
are certified organic for each State, along with the number of acres 
certified for the various crops, and the number of head of livestock 
and poultry certified as organic. The data will be used by NASS as 
administrative data so that future needs to collect organic data from 
farm and ranch operations can be kept to a minimum.
    The National Agricultural Statistics Service will publish summaries 
once a year at the State level and for each major organic commodity 
when possible. Due to confidentiality rules, some State level data may 
be combined and published at the regional or national level to prevent 
disclosure of individual operation's data.
    Authority: These data will be collected under the authority of 7 
U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this 
authority are governed by Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 
1985, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford strict 
confidentiality to non-aggregated data provided by respondents. This 
Notice is submitted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) and Office of 
Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320.
    NASS also complies with OMB Implementation Guidance, 
``Implementation Guidance for Title V of the E-Government Act, 
Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 
2002 (CIPSEA),'' Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June 15, 2007, p. 
33362.
    Estimate of Burden: This data collection will be done in a two step 
process. The first step will involve a personal visit from one of our 
State or Regional Field Office statisticians with the managers of these 
certifying organizations to introduce them to NASS and to discuss the 
data collection needs. NASS will also collect some basic profile 
information at that time. This initial visit should take approximately 
1 hour. The second step will involve the compiling and reporting of the 
data. In this second step it is estimated to take the respondent less 
than 15 hours to compile and report the data for their state(s). If the 
respondent would like to provide one of our field enumerators access to 
their data, we will compile the data for the respondent(s). The surveys 
will be voluntary and will be conducted once a year.
    Respondents: Organic certifying organizations
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 55
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: Approximately 900 
hours
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
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 
the burden of the proposed collection of information including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (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, technological or other forms of 
information technology collection methods.
    All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record 
and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.

    Signed at Washington, DC, September 11, 2014.
R. Renee Picanso,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-22831 Filed 9-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P
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