81 FR 54551 - Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 158 (August 16, 2016)

This notice announces the intent, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, of the Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO) to request an extension/revision of a currently approved information collection to 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. The OAO uses the collected information to better inform minority farmers about U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs and services.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 16, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54551-54552]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19532]


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 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection

AGENCY: Office of Advocacy and Outreach, Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the intent, in accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, of the Office of Advocacy and Outreach 
(OAO) to request an extension/revision of a currently approved 
information collection to 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. The OAO uses the collected information to better inform 
minority farmers about U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs 
and services.

DATES: We will consider comments received by October 17, 2016, at 5:00 
p.m. EST.

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: (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://regulations.gov 
and follow the online instructions for submitting comments; (2) Mail: 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Advocacy and Outreach, Attn: 
Kenya Nicholas, Program Director, Whitten Building Room 520-A, Mail 
Stop 0601, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250; and (3) 
Fax: (202) 720-7704.
    How to File a Complaint of Discrimination: To file a complaint of 
discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint 
Form, which may be accessed online at: http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf, or write a letter 
signed by you or your authorized representative. Send your completed 
complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, or email:

Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410.
Fax: (202) 690-7442.
Email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Agency Contact: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Advocacy 
and Outreach, Attention: Kenya Nicholas, Program Director, Whitten 
Building Room 520-A, Mail Stop 0601, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (202) 720-6350, Fax: (202) 720-7704, 
Email: [email protected].
    Persons with Disabilities: Persons who require alternative means 
for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should 
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: USDA Minority Farm Register.
    Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Number: 0560-0231.
    Expiration Date: October 31, 2016.
    Type of Request: Extension/Revision.
    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 OAO 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 OAO. Because USDA partners with community-based 
organizations, minority-serving educational institutions, and other 
groups to communicate USDA's programs and services, the OAO 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 all 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 
OAO, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) 
Evaluate the accuracy of OAO'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.


[[Page 54552]]


    Signed this 8th day of August, 2016.
Carolyn C. Parker,
Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach.
[FR Doc. 2016-19532 Filed 8-15-16; 8:45 am]
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