This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. 

# Notices Federal Register 

### 2813

Vol. 79, No. 11

Thursday, January 16, 2014

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request** 

January 10, 2014.

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), New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: OIRA

_Submission@ omb.eop.gov or fax (202) 395–5806 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 by February 18, 2014. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720–
8681.

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. Rural Housing Service

Title: Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program.

OMB Control Number: 0575–0179. Summary of Collection: The Housing and Community Facilities Program (HCFP), herein referred to as the ‘‘Agency,’’ is a credit agency for the Rural Housing Service (RHS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Agency offers supervised credit programs to build modest housing and essential community facilities in rural areas. Section 517(d) of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, provides the authority for the Secretary to issue loan guarantees for the acquisition of new or existing dwellings and related facilities to provide decent, safe, and sanitary living conditions and other structures in rural areas. The Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP)was authorized under the CranstonGonzalez National Affordable Housing Act. The purpose of SFHGLP is to assist low and moderate-income individuals and families in acquiring or constructing a single-family residence in a rural area with loans made by private lenders.

Need and Use of the Information: Information is collected from both a potential homebuyer and lender. To participate in the program, lenders must submit to standards which ensure the loan objectives of the SFHGLP are met. The lender submits qualifications to the Agency and enters into an agreement that outlines both the lender and Agency’s commitments and responsibilities under the guaranteed program. Information from a homebuyer includes financial documents such as confirmation of household income, assets and liabilities, a credit record, evidence the homebuyer has adequate repayment ability for the loan amount requested and if the condition and location of the property meet program guidelines. All information collected is vital for the Agency to determine if borrowers qualify for all assistance for which they are eligible.

This is a reinstatement with changes of a previously approved collection. Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 3,581. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Monthly; Quarterly; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 789,139.

Charlene Parker, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014–00646 Filed 1–15–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**[Doc. No. AMS–TM–13–0092]**

**Notice of Request for a New Collection of Three Additional Marketing**  **Channels for Local Food**

**AGENCY :**  Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice, new collection.

**SUMMARY :**  In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) intention to request approval of a new collection, titled: Local Food Directories and Survey, from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Upon approval, we request that this collection be merged into OMB 0581–0169, National Farmers Market Directory and Survey with Modules, which was approved April 19,
2013.

**DATES :**  Comments on this document must be received by March 17, 2014 to be assured of consideration.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may submit written, faxed, or internet comments to:

• Edward Ragland, Marketing Services Division, Transportation and Marketing Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 4523 South Building, Ag Stop 0269, Washington, DC 20250–
0269.

• Internet: www.regulations.gov.

• Fax: (202) 690–0031. All written comments should be identified with the document number AMS–TM–13–0092. All comments received will be available for public inspection during regular business hours at the same address. It is our intention to have all comments whether


### 2814 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 11 / Thursday, January 16, 2014 / Notices

submitted by mail or internet available for viewing on the Regulations.gov ( www.regulations.gov ) Internet site. Comments submitted will also be available for public inspection in person at USDA–AMS, Transportation and Marketing Programs, Marketing Services Division, Room 4523-South Building, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, (except official Federal holidays). Persons wanting to visit the USDA South Building to view comments received are requested to make an appointment in advance by calling (202) 720–8317.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Direct Marketing

Title: Local Food Directories and Survey.

OMB Number: 0581–New. Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from approval.

Type of Request: New collection for three additional marketing channels for local food.

Abstract: Under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq. ), AMS is responsible for conducting research to enhance market access for small-and medium sized farmers. The role of the Marketing Services Division (MSD) of AMS is to facilitate distribution of U.S. agricultural products. The division identifies marketing opportunities, provides analysis to help take advantage of those opportunities and develops and evaluates solutions including improving farmers markets and other direct-to consumer marketing activities.

On-farm markets, community supported agriculture (CSAs) as well as food hubs comprise an integral part of the urban/farm linkage and have continued to rise in popularity, mostly due to the growing consumer interest in obtaining fresh products directly from the farm. The use of these marketing channels has enabled farmers to receive a larger share of consumer’s food dollar. On-farm markets, community supported agriculture (CSAs) and food hubs allow consumers to have access to locally grown, farm fresh produce, enables farmers the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with their customers, and cultivate consumer loyalty with the farmers. They are also providing greater access to fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as playing increasing role in encouraging healthier eating.

An on-farm market is an area of a facility affiliated with a farm where transactions between a farm market operator and customers take place. An on-farm market may operate seasonally or year-round. On-farm markets are an important component of direct marketing, adding value by offering customers a visit to the farm and the opportunity to purchase products from the people who grew them.

CSA is a another type of foodproduction and direct marketing relationship between a farmer or farmers and a group consumers who purchase ‘‘shares’’ of the season’s harvest inadvance of the growing season. The upfront working capital generated by selling shares reduces the financial risk to the farmer(s). Generally farmers receive better prices for their crops and, reduced marketing costs. Consumers benefit by receiving weekly delivery of fresh locally-grown fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs and other produce. They also benefit from the ability to collectively support the sustainability of local farmers.

Food hub is a business or organization that actively manages the aggregation,distribution, and marketing of sourceidentified food products primarily from local and regional producers to strengthen their ability to satisfy wholesale, retail, and institutional demand. This marketing channel also allows farm operators to capture a larger share of consumers’ food dollar.

This information will be used to build three web-based directories and describe the characteristics of on-farm markets, CSAs, and food hubs and to identify trends in their communities.

Topic areas in the survey: —Characteristics and history of on-farm

markets, CSAs and food hubs, —types of products sold, including

fresh, locally-grown produce, —location of the markets, —special events, —marketing methods, —participation in federal programs

designed to increase consumption of fresh fruits, and vegetables. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.167 hours per
response.

Respondents: Farm operators that operate on-farm stores, operators of Community Supported Agriculture, (CSA’s), farm operations, and operators of food hubs.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 56,750.

Estimated Total Annual Responses: 2,125.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: .037.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 355 hours.

Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed 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 the burden of the proposed collection of information 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 the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The information collected is used only by authorized employees of the USDA, AMS.

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.

Dated: January 10, 2014. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–00767 Filed 1–15–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**[Doc. #AMS–CN–13–0091]**

**Recommendations of Advisory Committee on Universal Cotton**  **Standards**

**AGENCY :**  Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) held meetings of the Universal Cotton Standards Advisory Committee in Raleigh, North Carolina on June 19, 20 and 21, 2013. This notice announces the Advisory Committee’s recommendation to adopt USDA’s HVI (High Volume Instrument) Cotton Trash Standards as Universal Standards and to change the frequency of Universal Cotton Standards Conferences from once every three years to once every four years. The meeting agenda, minutes, and recommendations from the Advisory Committee are posted at the following Web address: http:// www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ AdvisoryCommitteeonUniversal Standards.

**DATES :**  Comments must be received on or before February 18, 2014.

**ADDRESSES :**  Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning