[Federal Register: December 22, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 245)]
[Notices]
[Page 76684]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22de04-23]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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[[Page 76684]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. TM-04-12]
Notice of Program Continuation
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice Inviting Proposals for fiscal year (FY) 2005 grant funds
under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given for proposals for FY 2005 grant funds
under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP). FSMIP
anticipates that approximately $1.3 million will be available for
support of this program in FY 2005. States interested in obtaining
funds under the program are invited to submit proposals. While only
State Departments of Agriculture or other appropriate State Agencies
are eligible to apply for funds, State Agencies are encouraged to
involve industry groups, academia, and community-based organizations in
the development of proposals and the conduct of projects.
DATES: Funds will be allocated on the basis of one round of
consideration. Proposals will be accepted through February 11, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Proposals may be sent to: FSMIP, Transportation and
Marketing Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 4009
South Building, Washington, DC 20250.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janise Zygmont, FSMIP Staff Officer,
(202) 720-2704.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FSMIP is authorized under Section 204(b) of
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.). FSMIP
provides matching grants on a competitive basis to assist State
Departments of Agriculture or other appropriate State agencies in
conducting studies or developing innovative approaches related to the
marketing of U.S. food and agricultural products. Other organizations
interested in participating in this program should contact their State
Department of Agriculture's Marketing Division to discuss their
proposal.
Proposals are submitted by the State Agency and must be accompanied
by completed Standard Forms (SF) 424 and 424A. 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
your State Department of Agriculture, the above AMS contact, or the
FSMIP Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/fsmip.htm.
FSMIP funds can be requested for a wide range of marketing research
and marketing service activities, including projects aimed at:
(1) Developing and testing new or more efficient methods of
processing, packaging, handling, storing, transporting, and
distributing food and other agricultural products;
(2) Assessing customer response to new or alternative agricultural
products or marketing services and evaluating potential opportunities
for U.S. producers, processors and other agribusinesses, in both
domestic and international markets; and,
(3) Identifying problems and impediments in existing channels of
trade between producers and consumers of agricultural products and
devising improved marketing practices, facilities, or systems to
address such problems.
While all proposals which fall within the FSMIP guidelines will be
considered, States are encouraged to submit proposals that have
regional or national significance and that foster innovation in the
following areas:
(1) Market analysis--collecting and analyzing unique and relevant
economic data and transportation and marketing statistics relating to
targeted domestic and international markets.
(2) Transportation and distribution--finding ways to improve
efficiency and reduce barriers in local, regional, national, and
international transportation and distribution systems to promote free
movement of U.S. food and agricultural products.
(3) Competitiveness and new markets--identifying new opportunities
for traditional and non-traditional products and by-products of
agricultural production and processing in domestic and international
markets. Assessing consumer preferences and consumer response to
marketing and labeling claims.
(4) Quality and variety--enhancing the value of food and
agricultural products through improvements in product quality and
traceability. Using technology to address marketing challenges and
opportunities such as developing new products and innovative packaging,
or improving handling and storage methods.
Applicants have the option of submitting FSMIP applications
electronically through the central Federal grants Web site, http://www.grants.gov
instead of mailing hard copy documents. Applicants
considering the electronic application option 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. Additional details about the FSMIP application process for
all applicants are available at the FSMIP Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/fsmip.htm
.
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: December 14, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-27932 Filed 12-21-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P