[Federal Register: February 7, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 26)]
[Notices]
[Page 7244-7245]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07fe08-23]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. AMS-TM-07-0152; TM-08-01]
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the
Farmers' Market Promotion Program (FMPP)
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces funding of
approximately $1 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year
(FY) 2008 to increase domestic consumption of agricultural commodities
by expanding direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. Examples
of direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities include new
farmers' markets, roadside stands, community supported agriculture
programs, and other direct producer-to-consumer infrastructures. AMS
hereby requests proposals from eligible entities from the following
categories: (1) Agricultural cooperatives, (2) local governments, (3)
nonprofit corporations, (4) public benefit corporations, (5) economic
development corporations, (6) regional farmers' market authorities, and
(7) tribal governments. The maximum award per grant is $75,000. No
matching funds are required. AMS strongly recommends that each
applicant visit the AMS Web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP to
review a copy of the FMPP Guidelines and application package
preparation information to assist in preparing the proposal narrative
and application package. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995, the information collection requirements have been previously
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 0581-0235.
DATES: Applications should be received at the address below and must be
postmarked not later than March 24, 2008. Applications bearing a
postmark after the deadline will not be considered.
ADDRESSES: Submit proposals and other required materials to Mr. Errol
Bragg, Associate Deputy Administrator, Marketing Services Branch,
Transportation and Marketing Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service
(AMS), USDA, Room 2646-South, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20250-0269, phone 202/720-8317.
For hard-copy (paper) submissions all forms, narrative, letters of
support, and other required materials must be forwarded in one
application package. AMS will not accept application packages by e-
mail; electronic applications will be accepted only if submitted via
http://www.Grants.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Errol Bragg, Associate Deputy
Administrator, Marketing Services Branch, Transportation and Marketing
Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), on 202/720-8317, fax
202/690-0031, or by e-mail USDAFMPP@usda.gov. State that your request
for information refers to Docket No. TM-08-01.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This solicitation is issued pursuant to
Section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7
U.S.C. 3001-3006) as amended by Section 10605 of the Farm Security and
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-171) (the Acts) authorizing
the establishment of the Farmers' Market Promotion Program (7 U.S.C.
3005)(FMPP). The amended act states that the purposes of the FMPP are
``(A) to increase domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by
improving and expanding, or assisting in the improvement and expansion
of, domestic farmers' markets, roadside stands, community-supported
agriculture programs, and other direct producer-to-consumer market
opportunities; and (B) to develop, or aid in the development of, new
farmers' markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture
programs, and other direct producer-to-consumer infrastructure.''
Detailed program guidelines may be obtained at http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP
or from the contact listed above.
Further, in accordance with the Secretary's Statement of Policy (36
FR 13804), it is found and determined upon good cause that it is
impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest to
engage in further public participation under 5 U.S.C 553 because the
applications for the FMPP need to be made available as soon as possible
as the program season approaches.
Background
AMS will grant awards for projects that continue developing,
promoting, and expanding direct marketing of agricultural commodities
from farmers to consumers. Eligible FMPP proposals should support
marketing entities where agricultural farmers or vendors sell their own
products directly to consumers, and the sales of these farm products
should represent the core business of the entity.
All eligible entities shall be domestic entities, i.e., those
owned, operated, and located within one or more of the 50 United States
and the District of Columbia only. Entities located within U.S.
territories are not eligible.
Additionally, under this program eligible entities must apply for
FMPP funds on behalf of direct marketing operators that include two or
more agricultural farmers/vendors that produce and sell their own
products through a common distribution channel. For example, a sole
proprietor of a roadside farm market would not be eligible for this
program. Individual agricultural producers, including farmers and
farmers' market vendors, roadside stand operators, community supported
agriculture participants, and other individual direct marketers are not
eligible for FMPP funds.
FMPP funds exclude existing routine operational expenses such as
management salaries or other's salaries associated with normal
operation of existing farmers markets/marketing entities, utility
bills, and insurance premiums.
FMPP grant funds must be applied to the specific programs and
objectives identified in the application. Proprietary projects and
projects that benefit one agricultural producer or individual will not
be considered.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35), the FMPP information collection were previously approved
by OMB and were assigned OMB control number 0581-0235.
AMS is committed to compliance with the Government Paperwork
Elimination Act (GPEA) that requires Government agencies in general to
provide the public the option of submitting information or transacting
business electronically to the maximum extent possible.
How to Submit Proposals and Applications
Each applicant must follow the application preparation and
submission instructions provided within the FMPP Guidelines at http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP.
Electronic forms, proposals, letters of support,
or any other application materials emailed directly to AMS-FMPP or
USDA-AMS staff will not be accepted.
Following are the options available for submitting proposals and
applications to AMS:
Paper Submissions--For paper submissions an original and one copy
of the proposal, required forms, narrative,
[[Page 7245]]
letters of support, and all required materials must be submitted in one
package, preferably via express mail.
Electronic Submissions via Grants.gov--Applicants may apply
electronically for grants through Grants.gov at http://www.Grants.gov
(insert 10.168 in grant search) and are strongly encouraged to initiate
the electronic submission process at least two weeks prior to
application deadline. Grants.gov applicants who submit their FMPP
proposals via the Federal grants Web site are not required to submit
any paper documents to FMPP.
FMPP is listed in the ``Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance''
under number 10.168 and subject agencies must adhere to Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination in all federally
assisted programs.
Dated: February 1, 2008.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E8-2195 Filed 2-6-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P