[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 59 (Wednesday, March 27, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11482-11483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05847]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 59 / Wednesday, March 27, 2019 / 
Notices  

[[Page 11482]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-TM-19-0031]


Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention 
to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget, for 
revision of a currently approved collection titled ``Local Food 
Directories and Survey''.
    Under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended, AMS is 
responsible for conducting research to enhance market access for small 
and medium sized farmers. The role of the Marketing Services Division 
(MSD) of AMS is to facilitate distribution of U.S. agricultural 
products. This information is used to populate USDA's National Farmers 
Market Directory and periodically market managers are invited to 
participate in a comprehensive survey assessing the farmers market 
sector. Beginning in 2020, the survey of the farmers market sector will 
be administered by the National Agricultural Statistical Service. 
Information will also be collected by AMS to populate the National 
Farmers Market Directory, as well as three additional local food 
directories: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Directory, Food Hub 
Directory, and On-Farm Market Directory. All four directories are 
national in scope and provide free advertising for producers of local 
agricultural products. The directories also assist customers to locate 
local food enterprises.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 28, 2019 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning 
this notice. Comments should be submitted online at www.regulations.gov 
or mail to Edward Ragland, Marketing Services Division, Transportation 
and Marketing Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 4509, South Building, 
Ag Stop 0269, Washington, DC 20250-0269.
    All comments should be identified with the docket number (AMS-TM-
19-XXXX), the date, and the page number of this issue of the Federal 
Register. All comments received will be posted without change, 
including any personal information provided, online at http://www.regulations.gov and will be made available for public inspection 
during regular business hours at the above physical address from 9 a.m. 
to 12 noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, (except 
official Federal holidays). Persons wanting to visit the USDA South 
Building to view comments received are requested to make an appointment 
in advance by calling (202) 720-8317.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Ragland, Marketing Services 
Division, Transportation and Marketing Program, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, 
Room 4509, South Building, Ag Stop 0269, Washington, DC 20250-0269; 
Tel. 202-720-8317 FAX 202-690-0031. Comments should reference Docket 
No. AMS-TM-19-XXXX.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Local Food Directories and Survey.
    OMB Number: 0581-0169.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2019.
    Type of Request: Revision and Extension of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended 
(7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), AMS is responsible for conducting research to 
enhance market access for small- and medium-sized farmers. The role of 
the Marketing Services Division (MSD) of AMS is to facilitate 
distribution of U.S. agricultural products. MSD identifies marketing 
opportunities, provides analysis to help take advantage of those 
opportunities, and develops and evaluates solutions, including 
improving farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer marketing 
activities. Various types of direct-to-customer local food enterprises 
serve different parts of the food marketing chain but all focus on the 
small-to medium-sized agricultural producers that have difficulty 
obtaining access to large scale commercial distribution channels.
    The definitions of farmers markets, on-farm markets, community-
supported agriculture (CSA), and food hubs, as utilized by AMS for the 
purposes of the Local Food Directories and Survey are listed below.
    Topic areas in USDA's National Farmers Market Managers Survey 
include: Characteristics and history of farmers markets, types of 
products sold, including fresh, locally-grown produce, location of the 
markets, programs to encourage healthy eating, special events, 
marketing methods, participation in federal programs designed to 
increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, vendor retention 
and recruitment, market growth and enhancement, information farmers 
market managers have and how they derive estimates of the number of 
customers, sales, and number of vendors.
    A farmers market is a sales venue that features two or more farm 
vendors selling agricultural products directly to customers at a 
common, recurrent physical location. This marketing channel allows farm 
vendors to receive retail prices for their products, capturing a larger 
share of customers' food dollar.
    An on-farm market is an area of a facility affiliated with a farm 
where transactions between a farm market operator and customers take 
place. An on-farm market may operate seasonally or year-round. On-farm 
markets are an important component of direct marketing, adding value by 
offering customers a visit to the farm and the opportunity to purchase 
products from the people who grew them.
    A CSA is another type of food-production and direct marketing 
relationship between a farmer or farmers and a group of consumers who 
purchase ``shares'' of the season's harvest in advance of the growing 
season. The up-

[[Page 11483]]

front working capital generated by selling shares reduces the financial 
risk to the farmer(s). Generally, farmers receive better prices for 
their crops and have reduced marketing costs. Consumers benefit by 
receiving a periodic (usually weekly) delivery of fresh locally-grown 
fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs and other produce. They also benefit 
from the ability to collectively support the sustainability of local 
farmers.
    A food hub is a business or organization that actively manages the 
aggregation, distribution, and marketing of source-identified food 
products primarily from local and regional producers to strengthen 
their ability to satisfy wholesale, retail, and institutional demand. 
This marketing channel also allows farm operators to capture a larger 
share of consumers' food dollar.
    On-farm markets, CSA, as well as food hubs, comprise an integral 
part of the urban/farm linkage and have continued to rise in 
popularity, mostly due to the growing consumer interest in obtaining 
fresh products directly from the farm. On-farm markets, CSA, and food 
hubs allow consumers to have access to locally grown, farm fresh 
produce, enable farmers the opportunity to develop a personal 
relationship with their customers, and cultivate consumer loyalty with 
the farmers. They are also providing greater access to fresh locally-
grown fruits and vegetables, as well as playing an increasing role in 
encouraging healthier eating.

Local Food Directories and Survey--0581-0169

    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.26 hours per response, (rounded).
    Respondents: Farmers market managers, farm operators that operate 
on-farm stores, operators of CSA, farm operations, and operators of 
food hubs.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 66,250.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 8,025.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: .26.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,069 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed 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 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 the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology. All responses to this notice will be 
summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments 
will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: March 22, 2019.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-05847 Filed 3-26-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P