FR 2025-04706

The Federal Register document under review seeks public input regarding the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's request to extend an existing information collection process. This process involves the "Measurement Service Record," which is vital for producers needing precise measurements for acreage or production purposes. It requires completing a form known as FSA-409 and paying a service fee.

Summary of the Document

The Farm Service Agency aims to continue collecting information to facilitate measurement services requested by producers. This is accomplished through a paper form that producers must complete and sign, ensuring all details of the request are accurate. FSA personnel corroborate these details, acknowledging the receipt of payment and the completion of the service. The call for comments seeks to validate the necessity and efficiency of such information collection and explore possibilities to improve the process.

Significant Issues and Concerns

There are several notable concerns associated with the current information collection approach:

1. Lack of Fee Transparency: The document does not reveal the cost producers incur for these measurement services. Transparency in fees could aid producers in making informed decisions.

2. Insufficient Guidance for Comment Submission: The document mentions using the federal eRulemaking Portal for comments but lacks detailed instructions, which might be challenging for those unfamiliar with the process.

3. Manual Form Submission Burden: There's an absence of information on potential electronic alternatives to the manual FSA-409 form. Introducing digital submission options could reduce the burden on respondents.

4. Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities: While contact options for individuals with disabilities are provided, the document does not specify how services ensure full accessibility in comment submission or service request processes.

5. Clarity of Purpose and Usefulness: The language explaining the purpose and utility of the information collection is somewhat complex and could benefit from simplification for clarity.

6. Burden Estimate Validity: The document estimates the response time at 15 minutes but lacks an explanation of how this was calculated, which might lead to questions regarding the reliability of this estimate.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

The public, particularly agricultural producers, stands to be both positively and negatively impacted by this notice. The opportunity to provide comments provides a platform for stakeholders to voice their experiences and suggest potential improvements to the process.

Positive Impacts:

• Stakeholder Engagement: By inviting public comment, the FSA is encouraging open dialogue, potentially leading to a more effective and user-friendly process.
• Service Continuation: Producers utilizing these services may benefit from uninterrupted access following the extension.

Negative Impacts:

• Time and Resource Consumption: The requirement to manually complete forms and navigate unclear procedures for comment submission can be time-consuming.
• Potential Financial Burden: Without clarity on service fees, producers may face unexpected costs impacting their financial planning.

In conclusion, while the FSA's request for comment and information collection aims to streamline agricultural operations, it is crucial to address the outlined issues to enhance transparency, reduce respondent burdens, and ensure the process is accessible and clear to all stakeholders involved.