### 24714 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 81 / Friday, April 26, 2013 / Notices

linkages between the Federal and State components of a broad-based, national agricultural research, extension, and higher education system. Focused on national issues, its purpose is to represent the Secretary of Agriculture and the intent of Congress by administering formula and grant funds appropriated for agricultural research, extension, and higher education. Before awards can be made, certain information is required from applicant to effectively assess the potential recipient’s capacity to manage Federal funds. NIFA will collection information using form NIFA 666, ‘‘Organizational Information.’’

Need and Use of the Information: NIFA will collect information to determine that applicants recommended for awards will be responsible recipients of Federal funds. If the information were not collected, it would not be possible to determine that the prospective grantees are responsible.

Description of Respondents: Not-forprofit institutions; Business or other forprofit; Individuals or households; State, Local, or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 150. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 945.

Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013–09933 Filed 4–25–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–09–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request** 

April 22, 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 May 28, 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 617th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503. 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. 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. National Agricultural Statistics Service

Title: Honey Survey.
OMB Control Number: 0535–0153. Summary of Collection: The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) primary function is to prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop and livestock production. General authority for these data collection activities is granted under U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204. Domestic honeybees are critical to the pollination of U.S. crops, especially fruits and vegetables. Africanized bees, colony collapse disorder, parasites, diseases, and pesticides threaten the survival of bees. Programs are provided by Federal, State and local governments to assist in the survival of bees and to encourage beekeepers to maintain bee colonies.

Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information on the number of colonies, honey production, stocks, and prices. The survey will provide data needed by the Department and other government agencies to administer programs and to set trade quotas and tariffs. Without the information agricultural industry would not be aware of changes at the State and national level.

Description of Respondents: Farms. Number of Respondents: 10,000. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually. Total Burden Hours: 2,349.

Charlene Parker, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013–09857 Filed 4–25–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–20–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Agricultural Marketing Service**

**[Doc. No. AMS–TM–12–0053; TM–12–03]**

**Notice of Funds Availability Inviting Applications for the Federal-State**  **Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP)** 

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

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the availability of approximately $1 million for competitive grant funds for fiscal year (FY) 2013, which would enable States to explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the U.S. marketing system. Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture, State agricultural experiment stations, and other appropriate State Agencies. Applicants are encouraged to involveindustry groups, academia, communitybased organizations, and other stakeholders in developing proposals and conducting projects. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the information collection requirements have been previously approved by OMB under 0581–0240, Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP).

**DATES :**  Proposals will be accepted through May 28, 2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  FSMIP Staff Officer, Transportation and Marketing Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 4945- South, Washington, DC 20250; telephone (202) 720–5024; email janise.zygmont@ams.usda.gov.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Janise Zygmont, FSMIP Staff Officer; telephone (202) 720–5024; fax (202) 690–1144; or email janise.zygmont@ams.usda.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  FSMIP is authorized under Section 204(b) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621–1627). FSMIP provides


### 24715 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 81 / Friday, April 26, 2013 / Notices

matching grants on a competitive basis to enable States to explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the U.S. marketing system. Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture, State agricultural experiment stations, and other appropriate State Agencies. Other organizations interested in participating in this program should contact their State Department of Agriculture’s Marketing Division. State agencies specifically named under the authorizing legislation should assume the lead role in FSMIP projects, and use cooperative or contractual agreements with other agencies, universities, institutions, and producer, industry or community-based organizations as appropriate. Multi-State projects are encouraged. In such projects, one State agency assumes the coordinating role, using appropriate cooperative arrangements with the other State agencies and entities involved in the project.

Proposals must be accompanied by completed Standard Forms (SF) 424 and 424B. AMS will not approve the use of FSMIP funds for advertising or, with limited exceptions, for the purchase of equipment. Detailed program guidelines may be obtained from the contact listed above, and are available at the FSMIP Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/ FSMIP. Background

FSMIP funds a wide range of applied research projects that address barriers, challenges, and opportunities in marketing, transportation, and distribution of U.S. food and agricultural products domestically and internationally.

Eligible agricultural categories include livestock, livestock products, food and feed crops, fish and shellfish, horticulture, viticulture, apiary, and forest products and processed or manufactured products derived from such commodities. Reflecting the growing diversity of U.S. agriculture, in recent years, FSMIP accepts proposals dealing with nutraceuticals, bioenergy, compost, agroforestry products, and products made from agricultural residue.

Proposals may deal with barriers, challenges, or opportunities manifesting at any stage of the marketing chain including direct, wholesale, and retail. Proposals may involve small, medium, or large scale agricultural entities but should potentially benefit multiple producers or agribusinesses. Proprietary proposals that benefit one business or individual will not be considered.

Proposals that address issues of importance at the State, Multi-State or national level are appropriate for FSMIP. FSMIP also seeks unique proposals on a smaller scale that may serve as pilot projects or case studies useful as a model for other States. Of particular interest are proposals that reflect a collaborative approach among the States, academia, the farm sector and other appropriate entities and stakeholders. FSMIP’s enabling legislation authorizes projects to:

• Determine the best methods for processing, preparing for market, packing, handling, transporting, storing, distributing, and marketing agricultural products.

• Determine the costs of marketing agricultural products in their various forms and through various channels.

• Assist in the development of more efficient marketing methods, practices, and facilities to bring about more efficient and orderly marketing, and reduce the price spread between the producer and the consumer.

• Develop and improve standards of quality, condition, quantity, grade, and packaging in order to encourage uniformity and consistency in commercial practices.

• Eliminate artificial barriers to the free movement of agricultural products in commercial channels.

• Foster new/expanded domestic/ foreign markets and new/expanded uses of agricultural products.

• Collect and disseminate marketing information to anticipate and meet consumer requirements, maintain farm income, and balance production and utilization.

All proposals which fall within the FSMIP guidelines will be considered. FSMIP encourages States to submit proposals that address the following objectives:

• Creating wealth in rural communities through the development of local and regional food systems and value-added agriculture.

• Developing direct marketing opportunities for producers, or producer
groups.

• Assessing challenges and developing methods or practices that could assist local and regional producers in marketing agricultural products that meet the mandates of the Food and Drug Administration’s new Food Safety Modernization Act. Paperwork Reduction Act

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the FSMIP information collection requirements were previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and were assigned OMB control number
0581–0240.

AMS is committed to compliance with the Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA), which requires Government agencies in general to provide the public with the option of submitted information or transacting business electronically to the maximum extent possible. How To Submit Proposals and Applications

Applications must be submitted electronically through the Federal grants Web site, http://www.grants.gov. Hard copy and emailed applications will not be accepted. Applicants are strongly urged to familiarize themselves with the Federal grants Web site well before the application deadline and to begin the application process before the deadline.

FSMIP is listed in the ‘‘Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance’’ under number 10.156 and subject agencies must adhere to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination in all Federally assisted
programs.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Dated: April 23, 2013. David R. Shipman, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–09934 Filed 4–25–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3410–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service** 

**[Docket No. APHIS–2013–0015]**

**Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection;**  **Importation of Seed and Screenings From Canada Into the United States** 

**AGENCY :**  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.

**SUMMARY :**  In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations for the importation of seed and screenings from Canada into the United States.