Notice of Intent To Request To Reinstate an Information Collection, 8513-8514 [2025-01962]

Download as PDF 8513 Notices Federal Register Vol. 90, No. 19 Thursday, January 30, 2025 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 National Agricultural Statistics Service Notice of Intent To Request To Reinstate an Information Collection National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: 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 reinstate an information collection to gather data related to the production and marketing of foods directly from farm producers to consumers or retailers. In addition, NASS will collect some whole-farm data to be used to classify and group operations for summarizing and publication of results. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 31, 2025 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535–0259, by any of the following methods: • Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. Include docket number above in the subject line of the message. • E-fax: (855) 838–6382. • Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD– ROM submissions to: Richard Hopper, 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: Richard Hopper, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph J. Prusacki, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:43 Jan 29, 2025 Jkt 265001 Agriculture, (202) 720–2707. Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from Richard Hopper, NASS— OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 720– 2206 or at ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Local Food Marketing Practice Survey. OMB Control Number: 0535–0259. Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate an information collection for a period of three years. Abstract: Interest continues to grow in support of local agricultural economies through the purchase of foods from sources that are geographically close to the consuming areas, via channels that are direct from farm to consumer or at most one step removed. Significant policy support for local food systems began with the institution of the USDA Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative (KYF2) in September 2009. The KYF2 Initiative was designed to eliminate organizational barriers to improve coordination and availability of resources for the promotion of local food systems. This initiative is in response to the consumer and producer interests. Many community and farm advocacy groups are requesting changes in the next major agricultural program legislation (the Farm Bill) that will directly target local foods producers, consumers, and markets. The Local Food Marketing Practice Survey was initially conducted in 2015. This reinstatement will allow NASS to collect data to measure changes and growth within the local food industry on a national basis. The results of previous surveys can be found at the following link: https:// www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_ NASS_Surveys/Local_Food/index.php. In preparation for this next round of data collection, NASS included a question in the 2022 Census of Agriculture to capture data needed to identify farm operators who sold products through direct marketing channels. As a follow-on survey to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, the target population will focus on respondents who reported product sales directly to consumers or to retail outlets that in turn sold directly to consumers. NASS intends to use mandatory reporting authority (Title 7 U.S. Code § 2204g) for the 2025 Local Food Marketing Practice Survey. PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Authority: The 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 as amended, 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. All NASS employees and NASS contractors must also fully comply with all provisions of the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA) of 2018, Title III of Public Law 115–435, codified in 44 U.S.C. Ch. 35. CIPSEA supports NASS’s pledge of confidentiality to all respondents and facilitates the agency’s efforts to reduce burden by supporting statistical activities of collaborative agencies through designation of NASS agents, subject to the limitations and penalties described in CIPSEA. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 60 minutes per response. NASS plans to mail out publicity materials with the questionnaires to inform producers of the importance of this survey. NASS will also use multiple mailings, followed up with phone and limited personal enumeration to increase response rates and to minimize data collection costs. Respondents: Farmers and Ranchers. Estimated Number of Respondents: 65,000. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 74,000 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, through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, technological, or E:\FR\FM\30JAN1.SGM 30JAN1 8514 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 19 / Thursday, January 30, 2025 / Notices 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, January 22, 2025. Joseph J. Prusacki, Associate Administrator. [FR Doc. 2025–01962 Filed 1–29–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–20–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE National Agricultural Statistics Service Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection, the Annual Organic Survey. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) typically funds an organic production and practices survey in years where the Census of Agriculture Special Study for Organics is not conducted. The next Special Study is planned for 2025 (enumerated in early 2026). With the completion of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, NASS will conduct the Special Study again, return it to its’ original scope of questions and the mandatory reporting requirement. This request will also include the 2026 and 2027 voluntary surveys that are funded by USDA–RMA. A minor revision to burden hours will be needed to account for the anticipated data collection plan for the upcoming surveys along with adding some cognitive interviews to test requested changes to the annual surveys. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 31, 2025 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535–0249, Organic Survey, by any of the following methods: • Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. Include docket number above in the subject line of the message. • E-fax: (855) 838–6382. • Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD– ROM submissions to: Richard Hopper, lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:43 Jan 29, 2025 Jkt 265001 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: Richard Hopper, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph J Prusacki, 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 Richard Hopper, NASS— OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 720– 2206 or at ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Organic Survey. OMB Control Number: 0535–0249. Type of Request: Intent to Seek Renewal of an Information Collection. 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. Originally, the Organic Survey was designed to be conducted once every five years as a mandatory, follow-onsurvey to the 2007 Census of Agriculture and then every five years after that. In 2011, the Information Collection Request was renewed to include that the survey was changed to accommodate a cooperative agreement between NASS and the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA). Specifically, the survey was changed to a voluntary survey that was to be conducted annually if funding permitted, and it would allow for a rotation of target crops each year. With the completion of the 2012 Census of Agriculture, NASS renewed the Organic Survey again and returned it to its original scope of questions and the mandatory reporting requirement. After the completion of the 2014 Organic Survey, NASS renewed its cooperative agreement with RMA to conduct the shorter questionnaire on an annual basis. The sample will consist of all certified organic operations, operations exempt from organic certification (value of sales <$5,000), and operations with acres transitioning into organic certification from the most recent published Census of Agriculture as well as organic PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 operations currently on the NASS list frame. The survey will be conducted in all States. Some operation level data will be collected to use in classifying each operation for summary purposes. The majority of the questions will involve production data (acres planted, acres harvested, quantity harvested, quantity sold, livestock produced and sold, value of sale, etc.), and marketing and production practices. Depending on annual funding, approximately 27,000 operations will be contacted by mail in late November or early December, with a second mailing later in the month to non-respondents. Respondents will be able to complete the questionnaire by use of the internet, if they so choose. Telephone and personal enumeration will be used for remaining non-response follow-up. If the survey is funded, the National Agricultural Statistics Service will publish summaries in December at both 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. This collection of data will support requirements within the Agricultural Act of 2014. Under section 11023 some of the duties of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) are defined as ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL—As soon as possible, but not later than the 2015 reinsurance year, the Corporation shall offer producers of organic crops price elections for all organic crops produced in compliance with standards issued by the Department of Agriculture under the national organic program established under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) that reflect the actual retail or wholesale prices, as appropriate, received by producers for organic crops, as determined by the Secretary using all relevant sources of information. ‘‘(ii) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate an annual report on progress made in developing and improving Federal crop insurance for organic crops, including—‘‘(I) the numbers and varieties of organic crops insured; ‘‘(II) the progress of implementing the price elections required under this subparagraph, including the rate at which additional price elections are adopted for organic crops; ‘‘(III) the development of new insurance approaches relevant to organic producers; and ‘‘(IV) any E:\FR\FM\30JAN1.SGM 30JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 19 (Thursday, January 30, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8513-8514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-01962]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

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.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 19 / Thursday, January 30, 2025 / 
Notices

[[Page 8513]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request To Reinstate an 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 reinstate an information collection 
to gather data related to the production and marketing of foods 
directly from farm producers to consumers or retailers. In addition, 
NASS will collect some whole-farm data to be used to classify and group 
operations for summarizing and publication of results.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 31, 2025 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0259, by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     E-fax: (855) 838-6382.
     Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to: 
Richard Hopper, 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: Richard Hopper, 
NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336, 
South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph J. Prusacki, 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 
Richard Hopper, NASS--OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-2206 or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Local Food Marketing Practice Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0259.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate an 
information collection for a period of three years.
    Abstract: Interest continues to grow in support of local 
agricultural economies through the purchase of foods from sources that 
are geographically close to the consuming areas, via channels that are 
direct from farm to consumer or at most one step removed. Significant 
policy support for local food systems began with the institution of the 
USDA Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative (KYF2) in September 
2009. The KYF2 Initiative was designed to eliminate organizational 
barriers to improve coordination and availability of resources for the 
promotion of local food systems. This initiative is in response to the 
consumer and producer interests. Many community and farm advocacy 
groups are requesting changes in the next major agricultural program 
legislation (the Farm Bill) that will directly target local foods 
producers, consumers, and markets. The Local Food Marketing Practice 
Survey was initially conducted in 2015. This reinstatement will allow 
NASS to collect data to measure changes and growth within the local 
food industry on a national basis. The results of previous surveys can 
be found at the following link: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Local_Food/index.php.
    In preparation for this next round of data collection, NASS 
included a question in the 2022 Census of Agriculture to capture data 
needed to identify farm operators who sold products through direct 
marketing channels. As a follow-on survey to the 2022 Census of 
Agriculture, the target population will focus on respondents who 
reported product sales directly to consumers or to retail outlets that 
in turn sold directly to consumers. NASS intends to use mandatory 
reporting authority (Title 7 U.S. Code Sec.  2204g) for the 2025 Local 
Food Marketing Practice Survey.
    Authority: The 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 
as amended, 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.
    All NASS employees and NASS contractors must also fully comply with 
all provisions of the Confidential Information Protection and 
Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA) of 2018, Title III of Public Law 
115-435, codified in 44 U.S.C. Ch. 35. CIPSEA supports NASS's pledge of 
confidentiality to all respondents and facilitates the agency's efforts 
to reduce burden by supporting statistical activities of collaborative 
agencies through designation of NASS agents, subject to the limitations 
and penalties described in CIPSEA.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 60 minutes per response. NASS plans 
to mail out publicity materials with the questionnaires to inform 
producers of the importance of this survey. NASS will also use multiple 
mailings, followed up with phone and limited personal enumeration to 
increase response rates and to minimize data collection costs.
    Respondents: Farmers and Ranchers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 65,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 74,000 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, through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, technological, or

[[Page 8514]]

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, January 22, 2025.
Joseph J. Prusacki,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2025-01962 Filed 1-29-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P


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