2013-17426. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

July 16, 2013.

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.

Comments regarding this information collection received by August 21, 2013 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, 725-17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. 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: USDA Minority Farm Register.

OMB Control Number: 0560-0231.

Summary of Collection: This information collection is necessary to create a client list for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) program outreach. The collected information is a tool to promote equal access to USDA Farm programs and services for minority farmers and ranchers with agricultural interests. The Register will provide a name and address file of those interested in outreach efforts. The authority for the collection of this information can be found at 7 U.S.C. 2279.

Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect the name, address, phone number, farm location, race, ethnicity and gender from the Minority Farm Register permission form, AD-2035. FSA manage the register and the Office of Outreach releases names, addresses and phone numbers of individuals to approved outreach organizations requesting lists of individuals with particular racial and ethnic characteristics with their authorizations.

Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.

Number of Respondents: 5,000.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (once).

Total Burden Hours: 4,667.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.