[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 4, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 325-326]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-8259]


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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 the Agency's intention to request an extension for a 
currently approved information collection in support of the program for 
7 CFR part 4284, subpart K, Agriculture Innovation Demonstration 
Centers.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 6, 2006, to be 
considered.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Roberta D. Purcell, Deputy 
Administrator, Cooperative Programs, Rural Development, USDA, STOP 
3252, Room 4016, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-
3252. Telephone: (202) 720-7558, E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Agriculture Innovation Centers.
    OMB Number: 0570-0045.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2006.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Agriculture Innovation Center Program was authorized 
as a demonstration program by the 2002 Farm Bill to provide technical 
and business development assistance, through statewide innovation 
centers, to agricultural producers who want to add value to the 
commodities or products they produce. This program is administered by 
Cooperative Programs within USDA's Rural Development. Grants were 
awarded, on a competitive basis, in fiscal year 2003 only. The 
authorization for this program expired on September 30, 2004.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection is 
estimated to average 4 hours per response.
    Respondents: Only the 10 grantees awarded under fiscal year 2003 
funding.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10.

[[Page 326]]

    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 30.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 55 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch (202) 692-0043.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
Rural Development, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the 
burden to collect the required information, including the validity of 
the strategy 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, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments on the paperwork burden 
may be sent to Cheryl Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management 
Branch, Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 0742, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0742. 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.

    Dated: December 28, 2005.
David Rouzer,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
 [FR Doc. E5-8259 Filed 1-3-06; 8:45 am]
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