2021-23614. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

The Department of Agriculture will submit the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 on or after the date of publication of this notice. Comments are requested regarding: (1) Whether the 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 burden 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 through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received by November 29, 2021. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)

Title: 2020 Local Foods Marketing Practices Survey—Substantive Change.

OMB Control Number: 0535-0259.

Summary of Collection: The primary objective of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is to collect, prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop and livestock production, prices, and disposition; as well as economic statistics, environmental statistics related to agriculture and also to conduct the Census of Agriculture.

Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information about these types of operations to understand conservation practices within the United States in terms of the following: (1) How often are specific conservation practices adopted without assistance, with technical assistance and/or financial assistance. (2) How does adoption evolve over time? What proportion of producers who “try” a given practice continue or expand use over time? How many discontinue the practice? (3) What motivates farmers to initially try a practice and then continue, expand, or discontinue use? The questions reflect a range of factors including conservation need(s), experience(s) of neighbors, financial benefits or costs, producer's time and effort, availability of technical and financial assistance, regulation or conservation compliance, and concern about the environmental quality. The United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service has entered into an interagency agreement with NASS to conduct this survey.

Description of Respondents: The 2022 survey will target operations who own or operate cropland as well as confined livestock feeding operations. Operators who have grazing land or forestry land will be done at a later date.

Number of Respondents: 35,200.

Frequency of Responses: Once.

Total Burden Hours: 35,614.

Dated: October 26, 2021.

Levi S. Harrell,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.