[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 245 (Friday, December 21, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 65622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27755]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 245 / Friday, December 21, 2018 / 
Notices  

[[Page 65622]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

December 18, 2018.
    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 
are requested regarding (1) 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; (2) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden 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 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments regarding this information collection received by January 
22, 2019 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office 
Building, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are 
encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: 
[email protected] or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental 
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-
7602. 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.

Rural Business Cooperative Service

    Title: Value Added Producer Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0064.
    Summary of Collection: The Cooperative Programs unit within Rural 
Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) an agency within the USDA Rural 
Development mission area will administer the Value-Added Producer 
Grants (VAPG) Program. The Program is authorized under section 231 of 
the Agriculture Risk Protection Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-224) as 
amended by section 6202 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (Pub. L. 110-246). The objective of this program is to encourage 
producers of agricultural commodities and products of agricultural 
commodities to further refine these products increasing their value to 
end users of the product. These grants will be used for two purposes: 
(1) To fund feasibility studies, marketing and business plans, and 
similar development activities; and (2) to use the grant as part of the 
venture's working capital expenses such as inventory, utilities and 
salaries.
    Need and Use of the Information: Rural Development State and Area 
office staff, as delegated, will collect information from applicants 
and grantees. RBS will use the information collected by to determine 
(1) eligibility; (2) the specific purpose for which the funds will be 
utilized; (3) time frames or dates by which activities are to be 
accomplished; (4) feasibility of the project; (5) applicants' 
experience in managing similar activities; and (6) the effectiveness 
and innovation used to address critical issues vital to value-added 
ventures development and sustainability. Without this information, 
there would be no basis on which to award funds.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or Households; Business or 
Other for Profit.
    Number of Respondents: 556.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Monthly; Semi-
annually, Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 52,818.

Kimble Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-27755 Filed 12-20-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P