[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 80 (Thursday, April 25, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 24381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09745]



[[Page 24381]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Information Collection; Minority Farm Register

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested 
individuals and organizations on an extension of a currently approved 
information collection for the Minority Farm Register. The Minority 
Farm Register is a voluntary register of minority farm and ranch 
operators, landowners, tenants and others with an interest in farming 
or agriculture. USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach uses the collected 
information to better inform minority farmers about USDA programs and 
services.

DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by June 24, 2013.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. In your 
comments, include date, volume, and page number of this issue of the 
Federal Register. You may submit comments by any of the following 
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Ternechue Butler, Outreach Specialist, Farm Service 
Agency, STOP 0539, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-
0539.
    Comments also should be sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Copies of the information collection may 
be obtained from Ternechue Butler at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ternechue Butler, Outreach Specialist, 
Farm Service Agency, (202) 720-6870.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: USDA Minority Farm Register.
    OMB Number: 0560-0231.
    Expiration Date: 10/31/2013.
    Type of Request: Extension.
    Abstract: The Minority Farm Register is a voluntary register of 
minority farm and ranch operators, landowners, tenants and others with 
an interest in farming or agriculture. The registrant's name, address, 
email, phone number, race, ethnicity, gender, farm location, and 
signature will be collected; however, the registrant's name, address, 
and signature are the only items required to register. Providing this 
information is completely voluntary. USDA's Office of Advocacy and 
Outreach will use this information to help inform minority farmers and 
ranchers about programs and services provided by USDA agencies.
    The Minority Farm Register is maintained by FSA and jointly 
administered by FSA and USDA's Office of Advocacy and Outreach. Because 
USDA partners with community-based organizations, minority-serving 
educational institutions, and other groups to communicate USDA's 
program and services, the Office of Advocacy and Outreach may share 
information collected with these organizations for outreach purposes. 
The race, ethnicity, and gender of registrants may be used to provide 
information about programs and services that are designed for these 
particular groups. Information about the Minority Farm Register is 
available on the Internet to ensure that the program is widely 
publicized and accessible to all.
    Respondents: Individuals and households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5000.
    Estimated Average Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Number of Responses: 5000.
    Estimated average time to respond: 5 minutes (0.083 hours) and 1 
hour traveling time.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4667 hours.
    We are requesting comments on all aspects of this information 
collection to help us to:
    (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of FSA, including whether the 
information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of FSA's estimate of burden including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected;
    (4) 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.
    All responses to this notice, including name and addresses when 
provided, will be summarized and included in the request for OMB 
approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Signed on April 10, 2013.
Juan M. Garcia,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 2013-09745 Filed 4-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P