[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 4, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 314-315]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-33135]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-LS-10-0103]


Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Program: Referendum

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Opportunity to Participate in the Sorghum Promotion, 
Research, and Information Referendum.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing that a 
referendum will be conducted among eligible sorghum producers and 
importers on the Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Order 
(Order), as authorized under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and 
Information Act of 1996 (Act).

DATES: Sorghum producers and importers will vote in the referendum 
during a 4-week period beginning on February 1, 2011, and ending 
February 28, 2011. To be eligible to participate in the referendum, 
producers and importers must certify that they or the entity they are 
authorized to represent are subject to the assessment and were engaged 
in the production or importation of sorghum between July 1, 2008, and 
December 31, 2010. An eligible person shall be entitled to cast only 
one vote in the referendum.
    Form LS-379, Sorghum Promotion and Research Order Referendum 
Ballot, may be obtained by mail, fax, or in person from the Farm 
Service Agency (FSA) county offices from February 1, 2011, to February 
28, 2011. Form LS-379 may also be obtained via the Internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsmarketingprograms during the same time period. 
Sorghum producers should return completed forms and supporting 
documentation to the appropriate county FSA office by fax or in person 
no later than close of business February 28, 2011; or if returned by 
mail, must be postmarked by midnight February 28, 2011, and received in 
the county FSA office by close of business on March 7, 2011. Sorghum 
importers should return completed forms and supporting documentation 
to: Craig Shackelford, Marketing Programs Branch, Livestock and Seed 
Program, AMS, USDA, Room 2628-S, STOP 0251, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-0251; Telephone: (202) 720-1115; Fax: (202) 
720-1125; [email protected] no later than close of 
business February 28, 2011; or if returned by mail, must be postmarked 
by midnight February 28, 2011, and received in the AMS office by close 
of business on March 7, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth R. Payne, Chief, Marketing 
Programs Branch, Livestock and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, Room 2628-S, 
STOP 0251, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0251; 
Telephone 202/720-1115; Fax 202/720-1125; or email to 
[email protected] or Rick Pinkston, Field Operations Staff, 
FSA, USDA, at Telephone (202) 720-1857, Fax (202) 720-1096, or by email 
at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Act (7 U.S.C. 7411-7425), it 
is hereby directed that a referendum be conducted to ascertain whether 
continuance of the Order is favored by those persons who have been 
engaged in the production or importation of sorghum from July 1, 2008, 
through December 31, 2010.
    The representative period for establishing voter eligibility for 
the referendum shall be the period from July 1, 2008, through December 
31, 2010. Persons who were engaged in the production or importation of 
sorghum who provide documentation, such as a sales receipt or 
remittance form, showing that they were engaged in the production or 
importation of sorghum from July 1, 2008, through December 31, 2010, 
are eligible to vote. Importers may provide U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection Service form 7501.
    Eligible voters will be provided the opportunity to vote at the 
county FSA office where FSA maintains and processes the eligible 
voter's administrative farm records. For the eligible voter not 
participating in FSA programs, the opportunity to vote will be provided 
at the FSA office serving the county where the person owns or rents 
land. Eligible importers will be provided the opportunity to vote 
through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) AMS office located 
in Washington, DC. Participation in the referendum is not mandatory.
    On November 18, 2010, USDA published in the Federal Register (75 FR 
70573), a final rule that sets forth procedures that will be used in 
conducting the referendum. The final rule includes definitions, 
provisions for supervising the referendum process, eligibility, 
procedures for obtaining and completing the form LS-379, required 
documentation showing that the person was engaged in the production or 
importation of sorghum from July 1, 2008, through December 31, 2010, 
where the referendum will be conducted, counting and reporting results, 
and disposition of the forms and records. Since the referendum will be 
conducted primarily at the county FSA offices, FSA employees will 
assist AMS by determining eligibility, counting requests, and reporting 
results.
    Pursuant to the Act, USDA is conducting the required referendum 
from February 1, 2011, through February 28, 2011. Form LS-379 may be 
requested in person, by mail, or by facsimile from February 1, 2011, 
through February 28, 2011.
    Form LS-379 may also be obtained via the Internet at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsmarketingprograms during the same 4-week period. 
Eligible voters would vote at the FSA office where FSA maintains and 
processes the person's, corporation's, or other entity's administrative 
farm records. For the person, corporation, or other entity eligible to 
vote that does not participate in FSA programs, the opportunity to vote 
would be provided at the FSA office serving the county where the 
person, corporation, or other entity owns or rents land.

[[Page 315]]

    Voters can determine the location of county FSA offices by 
contacting (1) The nearest FSA office, (2) the State FSA office, or (3) 
through an online search of FSA's Web site at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/default.asp. From the options available on this Web site select 
``State Offices,'' click on your State, select ``County Offices,'' and 
click on the map to select a county.
    Form LS-379 and supporting documentation may be returned in person, 
by mail, or facsimile to the appropriate county FSA office. Form LS-379 
and accompanying documentation returned in person or by facsimile, must 
be received in the appropriate FSA office prior to the close of 
business on February 28, 2011. Form LS-379 and accompanying 
documentation returned by mail must be postmarked no later than 
midnight of February 28, 2011, and received in the county FSA office by 
close of business on March 7, 2011.
    In accordance with Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), 
the information collection requirements have been approved under OMB 
number 0581-0093.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7411-7425.

    Dated: December 15, 2010.
Robert C. Keeney,
Acting Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-33135 Filed 1-3-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P