[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 98 (Monday, May 22, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 29301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7752]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Risk Management Agency


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Conduct an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Risk Management Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the Risk Management Agency to request 
approval for the collection of information in support of the agency's 
mission under section 522(d) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act to 
develop and implement risk management tools for producers of 
agricultural commodities through partnership agreements.

DATES: Written comments on this notice will be accepted until close of 
business July 21, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Virginia Guzman, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 
Research and Evaluation Division, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, 
Risk Management Agency, 6501 Beacon Drive, Mail Stop 813, Kansas City, 
MO 64133. Written comments may also be submitted electronically to: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Virginia Guzman or David Fulk, at the 
Kansas City, MO address listed above, telephone (816) 926-6343.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Agricultural Risk Management, Research and Evaluation, 
Organic Transition Simulation Model and Online Training Course Project.
    OMB Number: 0563-NEW.
    Type of Request: New Information Collection.
    Abstract: The Risk Management Agency intends to collect information 
for purposes of product development and program evaluation. The product 
development data collection is necessary to obtain feedback from 
experts and potential users of a Web-based simulation model designed to 
assist farmers and agricultural extension specialists in understanding 
the economic and environmental consequences in making a transition from 
traditional to organic production techniques. Results of this 
collection will be used to revise and improve the simulation model. The 
program evaluation component of the data collection is required to 
assess the effectiveness of the fully developed simulation model and 
the accompanying training course. All data collections will be 
conducted online using an automated web-survey system. We are asking 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve this information 
collection activity for 3 years.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public 
concerning the information collection activities. These comments will 
help us:
    1. Evaluate 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. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection information;
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other collection technologies, e.g. 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 3 to 10 minutes per response, 
depending on the survey.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: Farmers who are growing organic 
crops or are considering the production of organic crops and 
Cooperative Extension specialists who advise farmers and educators on 
the basics of organic production and marketing.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 1,660.
    Estimated annual number of responses: 8,120.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 1,111 hours.

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.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on May 16, 2006.
Eldon Gould,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. E6-7752 Filed 5-19-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P