[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8844-8845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03392]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-LPS-14-0044]


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 regarding 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 March 23, 2015, and ending April 
21, 2015. 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 January 1, 2011, and 
December 31, 2014. 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 March 23, 2015, to April 21, 
2015. 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 April 21, 2015; or if returned by mail, 
must be postmarked by midnight April 21, 2015, and received in the 
county FSA office by close of business on April 28, 2015. Sorghum 
importers should return completed forms and supporting documentation 
to: Craig Shackelford, Research and Promotion Division, Livestock, 
Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, 22 Jamesport Lane, White, GA 
30184; Telephone: (470) 315-4246; [email protected] no 
later than close of business April 21, 2015; or if returned by mail, 
must be postmarked by midnight April 21, 2015, and received in the AMS 
office by close of business on April 28, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth R. Payne, Director, Research 
and Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, 
USDA, Room 2608-S, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-
0251; Telephone 202/720-5705; Fax 202/720-1125; or email to 
[email protected], or Craig Shackelford, Marketing Specialist, 
Research and Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, 
AMS, USDA, 22 Jamesport Lane, White, GA 30184; Telephone: (470) 315-
4246; [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 (7 CFR part 1221) is favored by those 
persons who have been engaged in the production or importation of 
sorghum from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2014.
    The representative period for establishing voter eligibility for 
the referendum shall be the period from January 1, 2011, through 
December 31, 2014. Persons who were subject to the assessment, and 
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 
January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2014, are eligible to vote. 
Importers who were subject to the assessment may provide U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection form 7501.
    On March 3, 2014, the Chairman of the United Sorghum Checkoff 
Program Board signed a letter requesting that AMS complete the voting 
of the referendum by April 15, 2015. He noted that this completion date 
would help ensure that as many producers as possible have a chance to 
vote in the referendum.
    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

[[Page 8845]]

documentation showing that the person was engaged in the production or 
importation of sorghum from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2014, 
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 March 23, 2015 through April 21, 2015. Form LS-379 may be 
requested in person, by mail, or by facsimile from March 23, 2015 
through April 21, 2015.
    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.
    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 April 21, 2015. Form LS-379 and accompanying documentation 
returned by mail must be postmarked no later than midnight of April 21, 
2015, and received in the county FSA office by close of business on 
April 28, 2015.
    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: February 11, 2015.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-03392 Filed 2-18-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P