[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 147 (Wednesday, August 2, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 35929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16183]


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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 Rural Business-Cooperative Service's (RBS) 
intention to revise a currently approved information collection in 
support of the program for the Annual Survey of Farmer Cooperatives, as 
authorized in the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 2, 2017 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this revision. Comments should refer to the information collection by 
name and/or OMB Control Number and should be sent to: James Wadsworth, 
Policy and Research Branch, RBS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 
3254, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-3254, (202) 
720-7395 (this is not a toll-free number) or email 
[email protected] for a copy of the information collection 
or other available information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Wadsworth, Policy and Research 
Branch, RBS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 3254, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-3254, Telephone (202) 
720-7395 (this is not a toll-free number) or send an email message to: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Annual Survey of Farmer Cooperatives.
    OMB Number: 0570-0007.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2017.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: A primary objective of Rural Business-Cooperative Service 
(RBS) is to promote understanding, use and development of the 
cooperative form of business as a viable option for enhancing the 
income of agricultural producers and other rural residents. RBS direct 
role is providing knowledge to improve the effectiveness and 
performance of farmer cooperative businesses through technical 
assistance, research, information, and education. The annual survey of 
farmer cooperatives collects basic statistics on cooperative business 
volume, net income, members, financial status, employees, and other 
selected information to support RBS' objective and role. Cooperative 
statistics are published in various reports and used by the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, cooperative management and members, 
educators and researchers, and others in planning and in promoting the 
cooperative form of business.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1 hour or less per response.
    Respondents: Farmer cooperatives.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,175.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 1,175.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,160 Hours.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
RBS, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) 
the accuracy of the RBS' estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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 
forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Jeanne Jacobs, 
Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Rural Development, Stop 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., 
Washington, DC 20250. All comments received will be available for 
public inspection during regular business hours at the same address.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will 
become a matter of public record.

    Dated: July 25, 2017.
Chad Parker,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-16183 Filed 8-1-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P