Search Results for keywords:"Department of Agriculture"

The Department of Agriculture has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget for approval of information collection requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Rural Business-Cooperative Service is conducting an annual survey to gather data about farmer cooperatives, which includes statistics on business volume, net income, and financial status. Additionally, they have a voluntary labeling program for biobased products aimed at promoting renewable fuels. The information collected will help determine eligibility for grants and improve service and analysis. Comments on these information collections are invited until February 5, 2025.

The Department of Agriculture has asked for comments on a new information collection plan under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This collection is involved with several areas in the Forest Service, like tracking visitors to national forests and ensuring small businesses get fair opportunities in timber sales. The plan also includes gathering information about non-timber forest products, such as plants and mushrooms, from individuals and organizations. The agency is looking to gauge the necessity, accuracy, and ways to reduce the data collection burden on respondents.

The Department of Agriculture is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection related to how states safeguard the personal information of participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This request is part of a review process under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which ensures that any information collection is necessary and useful. The study aims to assess current state practices for protecting this personal data and to recommend improvements. The public has until March 8, 2021, to submit their comments and recommendations through the website www.reginfo.gov.

The U.S. Forest Service, part of the Department of Agriculture, has extended the period for public comments on its proposed directives for Rangeland Management. Originally closing on February 16, 2021, the comment period will now remain open until April 17, 2021. These proposed directives aim to provide more flexible and clear management policies for rangeland management. Interested parties can submit their comments electronically or by mail and find more information and documents about these directives online.

The Department of Agriculture is submitting an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. This request is part of a study called "Evaluating the Interview Requirement for SNAP Certification," aimed at understanding the effects of removing the interview requirement for SNAP benefits in five states. This study will use a randomized control trial to compare outcomes, such as efficiency and cost, between people who go through the regular interview process and those who do not. They are inviting public comments on the study until February 5, 2025.

The Department of Agriculture is seeking feedback on a new information collection requirement under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. They are asking the public to comment on whether the collection is necessary, how accurate the burden estimate is, and ways to improve the collection process. The focus of the collection is on policies related to crop insurance managed by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC). The agency wants to ensure that the insurance programs are fair and beneficial to both farmers and taxpayers. Public comments on this matter are invited until February 26, 2021.

The Department of Agriculture is seeking public comments on its request to collect information from individuals or households through online forms. These forms are used by the Agricultural Research Service to provide services related to research data, models, materials, and publications, as well as registration for scientific studies and events. The information collection is part of a broader effort to enhance efficiency and accessibility of government information in keeping with OMB guidelines. People can submit their comments on this information collection until February 20, 2025, and the total estimated burden is 720 hours.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act. They are seeking public comments on the necessity and utility of collecting this information, including its accuracy and ways to enhance its quality while minimizing the burden on respondents. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is involved in this process, particularly for the Research Education Extension Project Online Reporting Tool. This tool helps record data on research and education programs, aids in resource planning, and coordinates efforts to address agricultural issues. The deadline for submitting comments is March 15, 2021.

The USDA's Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement is holding a public teleconference meeting for the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers (ACMF) on February 10, 2021. The meeting will address topics like USDA outreach, technical assistance, and capacity building for minority farmers. It will also discuss the implementation of the Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmer and Rancher Grant Program and strategies for increasing the participation of minority farmers in USDA programs. Public comments can be submitted via email, and accommodations can be made for participants with disabilities.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted an information collection request to the OMB for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This request is related to the Acreage/Crop Reporting Streamlining Initiative (ACRSI), which aims to simplify and streamline the collection of acreage and production information for certain USDA programs through a web-based system. The initiative seeks to reduce the burden of information collection by minimizing duplication across agencies and is necessary to ensure producers receive Federal benefits. Public comments on this initiative will be accepted until January 21, 2025.