Notice of Intent To Request To Conduct a New Information Collection-Generic Clearance

Published date06 April 2021
Record Number2021-07068
SectionNotices
CourtAgricultural Marketing Service
Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 64 (Tuesday, April 6, 2021)
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 6, 2021)]
                [Notices]
                [Pages 17767-17768]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2021-07068]
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                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
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                delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
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                appearing in this section.
                ========================================================================
                Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 6, 2021 /
                Notices
                [[Page 17767]]
                DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
                Agricultural Marketing Service
                [Doc. No. AMS-TM-21-0021]
                Notice of Intent To Request To Conduct a New Information
                Collection--Generic Clearance
                AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
                ACTION: Notice and request for comments; new collection.
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                SUMMARY: This notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's
                (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and
                Budget (OMB) to conduct a new collection for surveys conducted by the
                Transportation and Marketing Program Marketing Services Division funded
                through cooperative agreements with various cooperators (other Federal
                agencies, State governments, land grant universities, and other
                organizations). AMS works with universities and other entities to
                research market access issues related to local and regional food
                systems. Surveys are a vital tool to help determine where to focus our
                research, as well as where we should encourage or initiate original
                research to support the sector. This generic clearance will allow AMS
                to conduct surveys with cooperating institutions in a timely manner.
                DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 7, 2021 to be
                assured of consideration.
                ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning
                this notice. Comments should be submitted online at www.regulations.gov
                or mailed to La Tasha Thomas, Marketing Services Division,
                Transportation and Marketing Program, AMS, U.S. Department of
                Agriculture (USDA), 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 1090 South
                Building, AG STOP 0269, Washington, DC 20250-0269. All comments should
                be identified with the docket number (AMS-TM-21-0021), the date, and
                the page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All comments
                received will be posted without change, including any personal
                information provided, online at http://www.regulations.gov.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: La Tasha Thomas, Marketing Services
                Division, Transportation and Marketing Program, AMS, USDA, 1400
                Independence Ave. SW, Room 1090 South Building, AG STOP 0269,
                Washington, DC 20250-0269; Tel. 202-720-8317. Comments should reference
                Docket No. AMS-TM-21-0021.
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                 Title: AMS Research Cooperative Agreements Generic Clearance.
                 OMB Number: 0581-NEW.
                 Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from approval.
                 Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to conduct new information
                collections.
                 Abstract: Under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended
                (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), AMS is responsible for conducting research to
                enhance market access for small and medium sized farmers. The role of
                the Marketing Services Division (MSD) within AMS is to research
                marketing and distribution of U.S. agricultural products. The division
                identifies marketing challenges and opportunities, researches and
                provides analysis to help business enterprises, local communities,
                governments, and other stakeholders take advantage of those
                opportunities, and also develops, evaluates, and disseminates
                strategies including methods to diversify and expand direct-marketing
                farming and producer operations. MSD works to improve market access for
                producers and develop new markets through three main roles as a
                researcher, a convener, and a technical assistance provider. In AMS'
                vision, local food producers, markets, and communities have access to
                ideas, innovations, and research in order to grow and sustain
                productive businesses and support community development. Such
                information ensures that opportunities for U.S. food producers are
                readily available and communities are equipped to successfully grow and
                sell regionally produced foods, while also supporting increased access
                to locally produced foods.
                 This generic clearance seeks approval for AMS alone or through
                cooperators to conduct a variety of surveys. The surveys will cover
                topics such as: Feasibility studies, challenges and opportunities
                facing local and regional food systems, market access, community
                development, local, regional and State ordinances, development and
                expansion of marketing opportunities, food safety, and food access, as
                well as adjustments to market disruptions (such as the current pandemic
                restrictions) and logistical impediments. This generic clearance will
                allow AMS to respond quickly to emerging issues and data collection
                needs.
                 This generic clearance is subject to the standard OMB clearance
                process. Each individual survey is then subject to a clearance process
                with an abbreviated clearance package which justifies the content of
                the survey, describes the sample design, provides the timeline for the
                survey activities, and the questionnaire. The review period for each
                individual survey is approximately 60 days, including a 30-day Federal
                Register notice period.
                Authority
                 In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
                U.S.C. Chapter 35),
                 The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7
                U.S.C. 1621 et seq.),
                 7 U.S.C. 1621 Congressional declaration of purpose; use of
                existing facilities; cooperation with States,
                 7 U.S.C. 1622(a)-(b) 1622. Duties of Secretary relating to
                agricultural products,
                 7 U.S.C. 1624 Cooperation with Government and State
                agencies, private research organizations, etc.; rules and regulations,
                 7 U.S.C. 2279g Marketing services; cooperative agreements,
                 Grant Programs,
                 7 U.S.C. 1627c Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP),
                and
                 7 U.S.C. 1621 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
                 Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
                information is estimated to average 15-30 minutes, based on average of
                10 surveys per year.
                 Respondents: Local food stakeholders and researched groups as
                determined by AMS and cooperators.
                [[Page 17768]]
                 Estimated Number of Potential Respondents: 30,000.
                 Estimated Total Potential Annual Responses to All Surveys: 500.
                 Maximum Estimated Total Annual Burden on All Respondents: 15,000
                hours.
                 Comments are invited on: (1) 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; (2) 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; (3) ways to enhance the quality,
                utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways
                to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who
                are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic,
                mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
                of information technology. Comments may be sent to the following
                addresses:
                 Mail: La Tasha Thomas, Marketing Services Division,
                Transportation and Marketing Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence
                Ave. SW, Room 1090 South Building, AG STOP 0269, Washington, DC 20250-
                0269.
                 Internet: www.regulations.gov.
                 All written comments should be identified with the docket number
                AMS-TM-21-0021. It is our intention to have all comments, whether
                submitted by mail or internet, available for viewing on the
                Regulations.gov (www.regulations.gov) internet site.
                 All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
                request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public
                record.
                Bruce Summers,
                Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
                [FR Doc. 2021-07068 Filed 4-5-21; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
                

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