On March 15, 2004, the Secretary of
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the
President of Marriott International Inc. entered into a historic
three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU will expire
March 15, 2007. Under the terms of the MOU: Marriott will provide
technical assistance and mentoring to participating farmers. The
assistance provided is designed to improve farm production and
marketing strategies that will increase the sales of produce by
minority farmers to the hospitality industry and USDA will
coordiante support for the MOU by identifying financial and other
resources, providing
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.