The proposed program is intended to
accomplish the goal of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty
crops. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is authorized under
section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7
U.S.C. 1621 note, amended under section 10109 of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.) Section 10109 directs the
Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to States to be used by
State departments of agriculture solely to enhance the
competitiveness of specialty crops.
The Food, Conservation,
and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) directs the Secretary of
Agriculture to make available $10 million in fiscal year 2008.
Given the limited time remaining in this fiscal year, State
departments of agriculture are mandated by the 2008 Farm Bill to
develop appropriate grant applications for the 2008 fiscal year
program and the Department is mandated to adequately evaluate these
new proposals and obligate the funds. Accordingly, we request
emergency approval of the information collection by July 16, 2008,
so that the Department can allocate the grant funds as required by
2008 Farm Bill.
US Code: 7 USC 1621 note Name of Law:
Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004
PL: Pub.L. 110 - 234 10109 Name of Law: Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008
This is a new collection. The
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) directs
the Secretary of Agriculture to make available $10 million in
fiscal year 2008. The State departments of agriculture and the
Department of Agriculture have a limited amount of time to develop
and evaluate new proposals within the remaining FY 2008 as mandated
by the 2008 Farm Bill to obligate the funds for FY 2008.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.