[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 205 (Thursday, October 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 60633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26714]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 205 / Thursday, October 23, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 60633]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc.  TM-03-12]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension and revision of a 
currently approved information collection for the Farmers Market 
Questionnaire.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 22, 2003 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact or send comments to Ed 
Ragland, Marketing Service Branch, Transportation and Marketing, 
Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Room 2646, South Building, Washington DC 20250-
0269; (202) 720-8317 and Fax (202) 690-0031.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Farmers Market Questionnaire.
    OMB Number: 0581-0169.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2004.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended 
(7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is 
responsible for collecting data to provide market access for small and 
medium sized farmers. One of the elements of this function is to 
collect data on farmers markets throughout the country and publish this 
information. This information is critical to State and local 
governments ability to make decisions on the formation and management 
of local farmers markets. States and localities need this information 
not only to support small and medium sized farmers, but also to make 
decisions concerning rural business activities. Information will be 
collected on the size and growth of markets, consumers and farmers 
served, products sold, sales, days of operation , and management 
structure. Information will be collected every two years on the size 
and growth of farmers markets to monitor how this marketing method 
changes over time and the impact farmers markets have on the farming 
community nationwide.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .25 hours per response.
    Respondents: Farmers market managers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,100.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 1,550.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: .5.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 388 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 Ed Ragland, 
Marketing Services Branch, Transportation and Marketing, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Ave., SW., Room 2646, South Building, Washington DC 20250-0269. All 
comments received will be available for public inspection during 
regular business hours at the same address.
    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.
    AMS is committed to implementation of the Government Paperwork 
Elimination Act, which provides for the use of information resources to 
improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations, 
including providing the public with the option of submitting 
information or transacting business electronically to the extent 
possible.

    Dated: October 16, 2003.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-26714 Filed 10-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P