[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 6, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17767-17768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07068]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 6, 2021 / 
Notices  

[[Page 17767]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-TM-21-0021]


Notice of Intent To Request To Conduct a New Information 
Collection--Generic Clearance

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments; new collection.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's 
(AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) to conduct a new collection for surveys conducted by the 
Transportation and Marketing Program Marketing Services Division funded 
through cooperative agreements with various cooperators (other Federal 
agencies, State governments, land grant universities, and other 
organizations). AMS works with universities and other entities to 
research market access issues related to local and regional food 
systems. Surveys are a vital tool to help determine where to focus our 
research, as well as where we should encourage or initiate original 
research to support the sector. This generic clearance will allow AMS 
to conduct surveys with cooperating institutions in a timely manner.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 7, 2021 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 mailed to La Tasha Thomas, Marketing Services Division, 
Transportation and Marketing Program, AMS, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 1090 South 
Building, AG STOP 0269, Washington, DC 20250-0269. All comments should 
be identified with the docket number (AMS-TM-21-0021), 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: La Tasha Thomas, Marketing Services 
Division, Transportation and Marketing Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW, Room 1090 South Building, AG STOP 0269, 
Washington, DC 20250-0269; Tel. 202-720-8317. Comments should reference 
Docket No. AMS-TM-21-0021.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: AMS Research Cooperative Agreements Generic Clearance.
    OMB Number: 0581-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from approval.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to conduct new information 
collections.
    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) within AMS is to research 
marketing and distribution of U.S. agricultural products. The division 
identifies marketing challenges and opportunities, researches and 
provides analysis to help business enterprises, local communities, 
governments, and other stakeholders take advantage of those 
opportunities, and also develops, evaluates, and disseminates 
strategies including methods to diversify and expand direct-marketing 
farming and producer operations. MSD works to improve market access for 
producers and develop new markets through three main roles as a 
researcher, a convener, and a technical assistance provider. In AMS' 
vision, local food producers, markets, and communities have access to 
ideas, innovations, and research in order to grow and sustain 
productive businesses and support community development. Such 
information ensures that opportunities for U.S. food producers are 
readily available and communities are equipped to successfully grow and 
sell regionally produced foods, while also supporting increased access 
to locally produced foods.
    This generic clearance seeks approval for AMS alone or through 
cooperators to conduct a variety of surveys. The surveys will cover 
topics such as: Feasibility studies, challenges and opportunities 
facing local and regional food systems, market access, community 
development, local, regional and State ordinances, development and 
expansion of marketing opportunities, food safety, and food access, as 
well as adjustments to market disruptions (such as the current pandemic 
restrictions) and logistical impediments. This generic clearance will 
allow AMS to respond quickly to emerging issues and data collection 
needs.
    This generic clearance is subject to the standard OMB clearance 
process. Each individual survey is then subject to a clearance process 
with an abbreviated clearance package which justifies the content of 
the survey, describes the sample design, provides the timeline for the 
survey activities, and the questionnaire. The review period for each 
individual survey is approximately 60 days, including a 30-day Federal 
Register notice period.

Authority

     In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35),
     The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 
U.S.C. 1621 et seq.),
     7 U.S.C. 1621 Congressional declaration of purpose; use of 
existing facilities; cooperation with States,
     7 U.S.C. 1622(a)-(b) 1622. Duties of Secretary relating to 
agricultural products,
     7 U.S.C. 1624 Cooperation with Government and State 
agencies, private research organizations, etc.; rules and regulations,
     7 U.S.C. 2279g Marketing services; cooperative agreements,
     Grant Programs,
     7 U.S.C. 1627c Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), 
and
     7 U.S.C. 1621 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 15-30 minutes, based on average of 
10 surveys per year.
    Respondents: Local food stakeholders and researched groups as 
determined by AMS and cooperators.

[[Page 17768]]

    Estimated Number of Potential Respondents: 30,000.
    Estimated Total Potential Annual Responses to All Surveys: 500.
    Maximum Estimated Total Annual Burden on All Respondents: 15,000 
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. Comments may be sent to the following 
addresses:
     Mail: La Tasha Thomas, Marketing Services Division, 
Transportation and Marketing Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Ave. SW, Room 1090 South Building, AG STOP 0269, Washington, DC 20250-
0269.
     Internet: www.regulations.gov.
    All written comments should be identified with the docket number 
AMS-TM-21-0021. It is our intention to have all comments, whether 
submitted by mail or internet, available for viewing on the 
Regulations.gov (www.regulations.gov) internet site.
    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.

Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-07068 Filed 4-5-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P