### 78026 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 248 / Monday, December 29, 2014 / Notices

documents are intended to provide a uniform method for operations to comply that can reduce the burden of developing their own methods and simplify audits and inspections. Alternative approaches that can demonstrate compliance with the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501–6522), and its implementing regulations are also acceptable. The NOP strongly encourages industry to discuss alternative approaches with the NOP before implementing them to avoid unnecessary or wasteful expenditures of resources and to ensure the proposed alternative approach complies with the Act and its implementing regulations.

III. Electronic Access

Persons with access to Internet may obtain the draft guidance at either
NOP’s Web site at http:// www.ams.usda.gov/nop or http:// www.regulations.gov.

Requests for hard copies of the draft guidance documents can be obtained by submitting a written request to the person listed in the **ADDRESSES** section
of this Notice.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501–6522.

Dated: December 22, 2014.

Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

[FR Doc. 2014–30303 Filed 12–24–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**[Document No. AMS–ST–14–0066]**

**Plant Variety Protection Board; Request for Nominations** 

**AGENCY :**  Agricultural Marketing Service,

USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  The Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO) is seeking candidates for the Plant Variety Protection Board (PVP Board). The PVP Board consists of 14 members, each of whom is appointed for a 2-year period, with no member appointed for more than three 2-year periods. The term of the present Board will expire in May 2015. In order to provide the Secretary of Agriculture
with a broad choice from a diverse group of applicants, the PVPO is asking
for nominated members to serve on the Board for 2 years from the date of appointment. PVP Board members will serve without compensation, except for standard government reimbursable

expenses. **DATES :**  Nomination packages (an Application for Committee Membership (AD–755) and resume) must be received on or before February 6, 2015.

**ADDRESSES :**  Nominations should be sent to Paul Zankowski, Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO), Science and Technology, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 4512, Washington, DC 20250; Telephone: (202) 720–1128; Fax: (202) 260–8976;
Email: Paul.Zankowski@ams.usda.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  The Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) (7 U.S.C.

2321 et seq. ) provides legal protection in the form of intellectual property rights to developers of new varieties of plants, which are reproduced sexually by seed or are tuber-propagated. A Certificate of Plant Variety Protection is awarded to an owner of a crop variety after an examination shows that it is new, distinct from other varieties, and genetically uniform and stable through successive generations. The term of protection is 20 years for most crops and 25 years for trees, shrubs, and vines.

The PVPA also provides for a statutory Board to be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture (7 U.S. C. 2327). The duties of the Board are to: (1) Advise the Secretary of Agriculture concerning the adoption of rules and regulations to facilitate the proper administration of the PVPA; (2) provide advisory counsel to the Secretary of Agriculture on all appeals from the Examiner; and (3) advise the Secretary of Agriculture on any other matters under the Regulations and Rules of Practice and on all questions under section 44 of the PVPA, ‘‘Public Interest in Wide Usage’’ (7 U.S.C. 2404). Reestablishing the PVP Board is necessary and in the public interest.

The PVPA provides that ‘‘The Board
shall consist of individuals who are experts in various areas of varietal development covered by this Act.’’ (7 U.S.C. 2327(a)). The Board membership ‘‘shall include farmer representation and shall be drawn approximately equally from the private or seed industry sector and from the sector of government or the public.’’ (7 U.S.C. 2327(a)).

The PVP Board consists of 14 members, each of whom is appointed for a 2-year period, with no member appointed for more than three 2-year periods. The term of the present Board will expire in May 2015. The first meeting of the new Board will most likely be held in the summer of 2015. In order to provide the Secretary of Agriculture with a broad choice from a diverse group of applicants, the PVPO is asking for nominated members to serve on the Board for 2 years from the date of appointment. PVP Board members will serve without compensation, except for standard government reimbursable

expenses.

To ensure that the recommendations
of the PVP Board take into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) (from research and production to trade, use, and consumption), the USDA will vet every candidate who applies for membership to the Federal Advisory Committee. Each applicant must clear all stages of the vetting process. Vetting is a comprehensive personal and professional background investigation that specifically includes, but is not limited to, an analysis of each candidate’s criminal history, bankruptcy filings, liens and judgments, affiliations and associations, lobbyist status, and prior involvement with USDA. This process is used to ensure that the finest candidates are selected to represent the
interests of the USDA.

Nomination packages with completed AD 755 background information forms
and resumes should be submitted no later than February 6, 2015. Final selection of members will be made by the Secretary of Agriculture. All
nomination materials should be mailed in a single, complete package to: Paul Zankowski, Commissioner; Plant Variety Protection Office; 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 4512; Washington DC 20250.

USDA has special interest in assuring that women, minority groups, and the physically disabled are adequately represented on these advisory committees. Nominations for female, minority, or disabled candidates are welcomed and encouraged.

Please see http://www.ams.usda.gov/

PVPO and click on PVPO Board (under Resources on the right side) for information on the Charter, and AD 755
form. The AD–755 form can also be found on the USDA Advisory Committee Web site ( www.usda.gov/ advisory

_ committees.xml). The Charter
for the PVP Board is available on the
Web site at: http:// www.facadatabase.gov/ download.aspx?fn=Charters/1309

_ 2013.09.11

_PVPBCharter2.7.13

_ (2013- 09-11-05-03-31).pdf or may be requested by contacting the individual identified
in the **ADDRESSES** section of this notice.

USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family
status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information


### 78027 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 248 / Monday, December 29, 2014 / Notices

(Braille, large print, or audiotape.) should contact USDA’s Target Center at 202–720–2600 (voice and TTY).

To file a written complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call 202–720–5964 (voice and TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Dated: December 22, 2014.

Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

[FR Doc. 2014–30302 Filed 12–24–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Food and Nutrition Service**

**Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;**  **Comment Request—Evaluation of Demonstration Projects To End**  **Childhood Hunger**

**AGENCY :**  Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection.
This is a new collection for the contract Evaluation of Demonstration Projects to End Childhood Hunger.

**DATES :**  Written comments must be received on or before February 27, 2015.

**ADDRESSES :**  Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions that were used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who are to respond, including use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Written comments may be sent to: Danielle Berman, Office of Policy Support, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be submitted via
fax to the attention of Danielle Berman
at 703–305–2576 or via email to Danielle.Berman@fns.usda.gov.

Comments will also be accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal.

Go to http://www.regulations.gov, and
follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically.

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

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Requests for additional information or copies of this information collection should be directed to Danielle Berman, Office of Policy Support, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria,

VA 22302.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

Title: Evaluation of Demonstration Projects to End Childhood Hunger.

Form Number: N/A.
OMB Number: 0584–NEW. Expiration Date: Not Yet Determined. Type of Request: New Collection.
Abstract: The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) of 2010 (Public Law 111–296), under Section 141, added a new Section 23 on Childhood Hunger
Research to the Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act.

This section provides substantial new mandatory funding to research the causes and consequences of childhood hunger and to test innovative strategies to end child hunger and food insecurity. Congress called for the development and evaluation of innovative strategies to ‘‘reduce the risk of childhood hunger or provide a significant improvement to the food security status of households with children,’’ including alternative models of service delivery or benefit
levels.

The purpose of the evaluation is to rigorously assess the impact of five demonstration projects on the prevalence of child food insecurity, and
other relevant outcomes. The demonstration projects are intended to test innovative strategies to end childhood hunger, including alternative models for service delivery and benefit levels that promote the reduction or elimination of childhood hunger and food insecurity. Projects may include enhanced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for eligible households with children;
enhanced benefits or innovative program delivery models in school meals programs, afterschool snacks programs, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP); and other targeted Federal, State or local assistance, including refundable tax credits, emergency housing, employment and training, or family preservation services, for households with children who are experiencing food insecurity. At least one demonstration must be implemented in
a rural Indian reservation where the prevalence of diabetes exceeds 15 percent. Demonstration projects will be selected and announced in early 2015.

The evaluation will collect data from all five demonstration projects in 2015 and 2016 (two rounds of data collection), and from one demonstration project in 2017 (three rounds of data collection). The data will be used for implementation, cost, and impact analyses for each demonstration project. Analyses include (1) which agencies and partner organizations delivered services, (2) whether the way the demonstration model was implemented has an effect on any observed impacts, (3) the resources used in planning, starting up, and operating each demonstration project, and how those resources compare to those for the control or comparison groups, and (4)
how cost effective the demonstration was in reducing childhood food insecurity. The primary outcome
measure for the demonstrations will be the change in the prevalence of food insecurity among children in
households with children as measured by the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module. The end products will provide scientifically valid evidence of demonstration project impacts.

Affected Public: Individuals/ households; State, local and Tribal governments; Private sector (for-profit and not-for-profit).

Estimated Number of Respondents:
The total estimated number of respondents is 27,297. This includes 27,107 individuals/households, 150 State, local, and Tribal government directors/managers and staff, and 40 private sector for-profit business and not-for-profit agency directors/ managers. FNS will contact 27,107 individuals/households, out of which 22,589 parents/guardians in the treatment and comparison groups will complete telephone surveys and 4,518 parents/guardians will be survey nonrespondents. The survey sample sizes are large because they are needed to detect statistically significant differences in the key outcome of interest—child food insecurity— between treatment and comparison
households within each demonstration site. Among the parents/guardians contacted for the telephone surveys, 456
will also be contacted for the focus