[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 62 (Tuesday, March 31, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17851-17852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06679]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent to Reinstate an Information Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics 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 intention of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS) to seek reinstatement of an information collection, the 
Census of Agriculture Content Test. Response to this survey will be 
voluntary.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 1, 2020 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0243, by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     eFax: (855) 838-6382
     Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD- ROM submissions to: 
David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-2024.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: David Hancock, 
NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South 
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin L. Barnes, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, (202) 720-2707. Copies of this information 
collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from 
David Hancock, NASS--OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 690-2388 or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Census of Agriculture Content Test.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0243.
    Type of Request: Intent to Seek Reinstatement of an Information 
Collection.
    Abstract: The Census of Agriculture, conducted every five years, is 
the primary source of statistics concerning the Nation's agricultural 
industry and provides the basis for the Nation's comparable and robust 
agricultural data. Results of the 2017 Census of Agriculture are 
available on the Web at https://www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus/index.php. 
This Information Collection activity will reinstate the Census of 
Agriculture Content Test. The purpose of this Content Test is to 
evaluate proposed changes to the survey methodology and content to 
reduce respondent burden and maintain the relevance of quality of 
statistics produced using the Census of Agriculture: Questionnaire 
format and design, new questions, changes to question wording and 
location, overall respondent burden, ease of completion, and processing 
methodology (such as editing and data summary). Results of this test 
will be studied in preparation for the 2022 Census of Agriculture. 
Development of the test questionnaire version will come from evaluation 
of the 2017 Census of Agriculture, testing panels, and cognitive 
interviews. NASS will also meet with other USDA and Federal agencies 
and selected State Departments of Agriculture to gather information on 
data uses and, in some

[[Page 17852]]

cases, justifications for county-level data. The test will be nation-
wide, excluding Alaska and Hawaii, and will be conducted in three 
phases.
    For Phase One, a stratified random sample of approximately 36,000 
farm and ranch operators will be mailed questionnaires; samples will be 
selected to ensure sufficient coverage of various sizes, locations and 
types of agricultural operations. The sample will be divided into 
control and treatment groups to test alternative versions of the 
questionnaires and/or data collection methodologies. Non-respondents 
will receive follow-up contact by first mail, then telephone.
    Phase Two will consist of up to 100 randomly selected agricultural 
operations who will be asked to participate in cognitive interviews. 
The sample may consist of some agricultural operations that completed 
the questionnaire in Phase One, as well as some additional operations 
selected to ensure sufficient size of comparison groups. The cognitive 
interviews conducted with Phase One respondents will be used to improve 
the overall 2022 Census of Agriculture questionnaire by allowing NASS 
to follow-up with respondents to better understand unusual responses 
and to ascertain question comprehension. The remainder of the cognitive 
interview sample will be randomly selected from operations to meet size 
and type criteria to ensure examination of suspected reporting problems 
or sections of the form without a sufficient responses in Phase One. 
The cognitive interviews of this group will also test further 2022 
Census of Agriculture questionnaire variations, including the internet 
version.
    For Phase Three a stratified random sample of approximately 15,000 
will be mailed letters asking them to go to a supplied internet address 
to complete the survey. Stratification will be used to ensure 
sufficient coverage of various sizes and types of agricultural 
operations. The sample will be divided into control and treatment 
groups to test alternative versions of the on-line questionnaires and 
methods to increase on-line response. Non-respondents will receive 
follow-up contact by mail. Response to all phases of the Census of 
Agriculture Content Test are voluntary.
    Authority: Although the Census of Agriculture is required by law 
(``Census of Agriculture Act of 1997,'' Public Law 105-113, 7 U.S.C. 
2204(g) as amended), this Content Test is voluntary. These data will be 
collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually 
identifiable data collected under this authority are governed by 
Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985 as amended, 7 U.S.C. 
2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-
aggregated data provided by respondents. This Notice is submitted in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 
(44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) and Office of Management and Budget 
regulations at 5 CFR part 1320.
    NASS also complies with OMB Implementation Guidance, 
``Implementation Guidance for Title V of the E-Government Act, 
Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 
2002 (CIPSEA),'' Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June 15, 2007, p. 
33362.
    Estimate of Burden: Reporting burden for Phase One, (mailout 
survey) of this collection of information is estimated to average 60 
minutes per completed response and two (2) minutes per refusal. This 
was determined by our experience from past Censuses of Agriculture and 
by our survey methodologists, based on the length and difficulty of 
similar surveys. Burden is based on an estimated minimum response rate 
of 58%. This anticipated response rate is based on similar types of 
voluntary mail surveys and through the use of a mail questionnaire and 
(limited) telephone follow-up to non-respondents.
    Reporting burden for Phase Two, (cognitive interviews) of this 
collection of information is estimated to average 120 minutes per 
completed response and five (5) minutes per refusal. This was 
determined by our survey methodologists who compared the questionnaire 
length and difficulty with previous cognitive pretests NASS has 
conducted.
    Reporting burden for Phase Three, (internet test) of this 
collection of information is estimated to average 35 minutes per 
completed response and two (2) minutes per refusal. This was determined 
by our experience from past Censuses of Agriculture and by our survey 
methodologists, who compared the questionnaire length and difficulty 
with similar surveys. Since Phase Three is internet only, the average 
time to complete the questionnaire is less than for Phase One (paper 
questionnaire and phone follow-up responses only) since the internet 
version is faster due to automated routing. Burden is based on an 
estimated minimum response rate of 50% which is similar to response 
rates observed for voluntary internet based surveys of a similar 
nature.
    Respondents: Potential farm and ranch operators.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 51,200 farmers and/or ranchers
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 30,000 hours. (This 
is based on the expected response rates explained above.)
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) 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; (b) 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; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (d) 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, technological or other forms of 
information technology collection methods.
    All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record 
and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.

    Signed at Washington, DC, March 23, 2020.
Kevin L. Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2020-06679 Filed 3-30-20; 8:45 am]
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