05-6027. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 22, 2005.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) 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 should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

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.

Farm Service Agency

Title: Volunteer Program.

OMB Control Number: 0560-0232.

Summary of Collection: Section 1526 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1981 (7 U.S.C. 2272) permits the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to use volunteers to perform a wide range of activities to carry out the programs of or supported by the Department of Agriculture. While serving as a Farm and Foreign Agriculture Service (FFAS) volunteer each individual is subject to the same responsibilities and guidelines for conduct to which Federal employees are expected to adhere. These programs will provide a valuable service to the agencies while allowing the participants to receive training, supervision and work experience.

Need and Use of the Information: Applicants accepted for the Volunteer Programs will complete the “Service Agreement and Attendance Record”. The programs will be used by FFAS in Washington, DC, State, Local and Regional Offices. The Agency will use the recording information to respond to the Department of Agriculture and the Office of Personnel Management request for information on agency volunteers. If the information were not collected for each volunteer, the Farm Service Agency would be unable to document service performed without compensation by persons in the program.

Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Federal Government.

Number of Respondents: 60.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 30.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.