### 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


### 2815 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 11 / Thursday, January 16, 2014 / Notices

the Advisory Committee’s recommendation using the following procedures:

• Internet: http:// www.regulations.gov.

• Mail: Comments may be submitted by mail to: Darryl Earnest, Deputy Administrator, Cotton & Tobacco Programs, AMS, USDA, 3275 Appling Road, Room 11, Memphis, TN 38133. Comments should be submitted in triplicate. All comments should reference the docket number and the date and the page of this issue of the Federal Register. All comments will be available for public inspection during regular business hours at Cotton & Tobacco Program, AMS, USDA, 3275 Appling Road, Memphis, TN 38133. A copy of this notice may be found at: www.ams.usda.gov/cotton/ rulemaking.htm.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  James Knowlton, Designated Federal Official, Cotton & Tobacco Programs, AMS, USDA, 3275 Appling Road, Room 5, Memphis, TN 38133. Telephone (901) 384–3030, facsimile (901) 384–3032, or email Telephone (901) 384–3030, or email: James.Knowlton@ams.usda.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

The purpose of the Universal Cotton Standards Advisory Committee is to consider any necessary changes to the Universal Cotton Standards and to review and approve freshly prepared sets of the Universal Cotton Grade Standards for conformity with the existing standards.

At the Universal Cotton Standards Conference on June 19–21, 2013, the Advisory Committee recommended revising the Universal Cotton Standards Agreement in regards to its recommendations of adopting a Universal HVI Cotton Trash Standard and changing the frequency of Universal Cotton Standards Conferences from once every three years to once every four years.

The Universal Cotton Standards Agreement is an Agreement between USDA, the U.S. cotton industry and overseas cotton associations of merchants and textile manufacturers that provides for the trading of U.S. cotton on the official standards of the U.S. for Upland cotton. Adoption of the Universal HVI Cotton Trash Standard will ensure that the USDA’s cotton trash measurement serves as the internationally accepted universal language for cotton trash measurements. Adoption of the frequency of Universal Cotton Standards Conferences to be held once every four years will provide improved cost efficiency while continuing to provide the necessary framework for future considerations to the Universal Cotton Standards.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 51–65. Dated: January 10, 2014.
Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

[FR Doc. 2014–00757 Filed 1–15–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Food and Nutrition Service**

**Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;**  **Comment Request—Form FNS–245, Negative QC Review Schedule** 

**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 the proposed collection.

Form FNS–245, is currently used in the Quality Control process for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This is a revision of a currently approved collection in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and concerns the Negative QC Review Schedule.

**DATES :**  Written comments must be received on or before March 17, 2014.

**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 has 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 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 through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments may be sent to: Patrick Lucrezio, Chief, Quality Control Branch, Program Accountability and Administration Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 822, Alexandria, VA 22302. You may also download an electronic version of this notice at http:// www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/rules/regulations/ default.htm and comment via email at SNAPHQ-Web@fns.usda.gov or use the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically.

All written comments will be open for public inspection at the FNS office located at 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 822, Alexandria, VA 22302, during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday). All responses to this notice will be included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Requests for additional information, copies or to view a draft version of the information collection form and instructions should be directed to SNAP QC at SNAPHQ-QCIC@fns.usda.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

Title: Negative Quality Control Review Schedule.

OMB Number: 0584–0034. Form Number: FNS–245. Expiration Date: December 31, 2016. Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Form FNS–245, Negative Case Action Review Schedule:

Abstract: Form FNS–245, Negative Case Action Review Schedule, is designed to collect quality control (QC) data and serve as the data entry form for Negative case action QC reviews in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). New QC procedures for Negative cases (now referred to as Case and Procedural cases) went into effect for the 2012 QC review year. State agencies complete form FNS–245 for each Negative Case in their QC sample. SNAP has determined the form associated with the reporting of these cases needs to be updated to reflect the new name and reorganized in order to not only streamline the data elements being reported, but to also add nine data elements to more effectively and efficiently record what is now being reviewed. By streamlining the form’s elements to make it more efficient, the additional elements are not expected to increase the collection’s burden on State Agencies using the form. We are also requesting to rename this information collection from ‘‘Negative QC Review Schedule’’ to ‘‘Case and Procedural Quality Control Review Schedule’’.

The reporting and recordkeeping burden associated with the completion of form FNS–245, has decreased from approximately 177,351 hours to 121,784.1602 hours. The decrease in total burden is largely a result of the