[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 74 (Thursday, April 16, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21176-21177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08003]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request 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 approval to reinstate an information collection 
to gather data related to the production and marketing of foods 
directly from farm producers to consumers or retailers. In addition 
NASS will collect some whole-farm data to be used to classify and group 
operations for summarizing and publication of results.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 15, 2020 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0259, by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     E-fax: (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: Local Foods Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0259.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate an 
information collection for a period of three years.
    Abstract: Interest continues to grow in support of local 
agricultural economies through the purchase of foods from sources that 
are geographically close to the consuming areas, via channels that are 
direct from farm to consumer or at most one step removed. Significant 
policy support for local food systems began with the institution of the 
USDA Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative (KYF2) in September 
2009. The KYF2 Initiative was designed to eliminate organizational 
barriers to improve coordination and availability of resources for the 
promotion of local food systems. This initiative is in response to the 
consumer and producer interests. Many community and farm advocacy 
groups are requesting changes in the next major agricultural program 
legislation (the Farm Bill) that will directly target local foods 
producers, consumers, and markets. The Local Food Marketing Practices 
Survey was initially conducted in 2015. This reinstatement will allow 
NASS to collect data to measure changes and growth within the local 
food industry on a national basis. The results of the initial survey 
can be found at the following link https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2012/Online_Resources/Local_Food/index.php.
    In preparation for this next round of data collection, NASS 
included a question in the 2017 Census of Agriculture to capture data 
needed to identify farm operators who sold products through direct 
marketing channels. As a follow-on survey to the 2017 Census of 
Agriculture, the target population will focus on respondents who 
reported product sales directly to consumers or to retail outlets that 
in turn sold directly to consumers. NASS intends to use mandatory 
reporting authority (Title 7 U.S. Code Sec.  2204g) for the 2020 Local 
Food Marketing Practices Survey.
    Authority: The 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: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response. NASS plans 
to mail out publicity materials with the questionnaires to inform 
producers of the importance of this survey. NASS will also use multiple 
mailings, followed up with phone and limited personal enumeration to 
increase response rates and to minimize data collection costs.
    Respondents: Farmers and Ranchers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 31,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 17,500 hours.
    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, 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.


[[Page 21177]]


    Signed at Washington, DC, April 8, 2020.
Kevin L. Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2020-08003 Filed 4-15-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-20-P