2017-19392. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 8, 2017.

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 are required 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 this information collection received by October 13, 2017 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: Transfer of Farm Records between Counties.

OMB Control Number: 0560-0253.

Summary of Collection: Most Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs are administered on the basis of “farm”. For program purposes, a farm is a collection of tracts of land that have the same owner and the same operator. Land with different owners may be considered to be a farm if all the land is operated by one person and additional criteria are met. A farm is typically administered in the FSA county office where the farm is physically located. A farm can be transferred from the physical location county office if the principal dwelling of the farm operator has changed, a change has occurred in the operation of the land, or there has been a change that would cause the receiving administrative county office to be more accessible. FSA-179, “Transfer of Farm Record between Counties,” is used as the request for a farm transfer from one county to another initiated by the producer.

Need and Use of the Information: The information collected on the FSA-179 is collected only if a farm transfer is being requested and is collected in a face-to-face setting with county office personnel. The information is used by county office employees to document which farm is being transferred, what county it is being transferred to, and why it is being transferred. The FSA-179 assists county committees in determining why the farm transfer is being requested and that it is not being requested for the purpose of increased program benefits, avoiding payment reductions, establishing eligibility to transfer base acres, or for circumventing any other programs provision. Without the information county offices will be unable to determine whether the producer desires to transfer a farm.

Description of Respondents: Farms.

Number of Respondents: 21,240.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 24,780.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.