[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 61 (Tuesday, March 30, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 16518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7036]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection, comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces Rural Development's intention to request an extension 
for a currently approved information collection in support of the 
Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 1, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Marc Warman, Program Leader, Funded 
Programs, Cooperative Services, Rural Business and Cooperative 
Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 3250, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20252-3250, Telephone Number (202) 690-
1431.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Value-Added Producer Grants.
    OMB Number: 0570-0039.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 30, 2004.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The primary purpose of the Value-Added Producer Grant 
(VAPG) Program is to enable producers of agricultural commodities to 
participate in the economic returns to be found in the value-added 
market. Grants can be used for planning purposes such as feasibility 
studies, marketing plans, and business plans. Grants can also be used 
to establish working capital accounts to pay salaries, utilities, and 
other operating expenses for a new venture to help achieve a positive 
cash flow. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to eligible 
applicants based on specific selection criteria.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 43 hours per grant application.
    Respondents: Independent agricultural producers, farmer and rancher 
cooperatives, agricultural producer groups, and majority-controlled 
producer-based groups.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 800.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 800.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 34,040 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Division, at (202) 692-
0043.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of Rural 
Development functions, including whether the information will have a 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of Rural Development'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 the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Division, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250. All responses to this 
notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. 
All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: March 23, 2004.
John Rosso,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7036 Filed 3-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P