[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 235 (Friday, December 5, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 74130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28771]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 235 / Friday, December 5, 2008 / 
Notices  

[[Page 74130]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

December 1, 2008.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8958.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Organic Production Survey (OPS).
    OMB Control Number: 0535-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: National Agricultural Statistics Services 
(NASS) is authorized under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a) to collect 
these data. The 2008 Farm Bill appropriated $1 million to NASS for 
assimilating and disseminating information. This survey will be a 
follow-on survey to the 2007 Census of Agriculture Survey and will use 
as a sampling universe every respondent on the 2007 Census of 
Agriculture Survey who reported organic production for sale in 2007. 
Data collection will be in the spring of 2009.
    Need and Use of the Information: Sales of organic products have 
been increasing at a rate of 20 percent annually according to the 
Organic Trade Association. This survey will provide organic information 
on acreage in production, commodity, expenses, marketing practices 
(handling, distribution, retail, and consumer purchasing patterns), and 
prices received by organic producers. Additionally, this survey will 
attempt to measure the contribution to the Organics industry from the 
operations currently transitioning to organic production and those 
producers that are exempt from the certification process due to not 
reaching the minimum sales threshold of $5,000.
    Description of Respondents: Farmers, ranchers and farm managers 
self identified as organic producers.
    Number of Respondents: 20,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: One time.
    Total Burden Hours: 9,975.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-28771 Filed 12-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P