[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 144 (Thursday, July 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-18286]


[Federal Register: July 28, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Development Administration


Federal-State Research on Cooperatives Program

AGENCY: Rural Development Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Notice Inviting Applications for Fiscal Year 1994 Cooperative 
Research Agreements.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that $435,000 was allocated in the 
Federal Budget for Fiscal Year 1994 for payments to States for research 
related to cooperatives. This program will be administered by the Rural 
Development Administration. States interested in applying for 
competitively awarded funds under the program are invited to submit 
proposals for cooperative related research studies on agricultural 
marketing. Only State Departments of Agriculture, State Agencies, or 
State Agricultural Experiment Stations are eligible for funds through a 
cooperative research agreement. The intended effect of this program is 
to encourage more research at state levels that will enhance the well-
being of agricultural cooperatives and their members.

DATES: Proposals will be accepted now, but must be postmarked no later 
than August 15, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Send proposals, including application forms and other 
required materials to Dr. Randall E. Torgerson, Assistant 
Administrator, Rural Development Administration/Cooperative Services, 
USDA, Ag Box 3250, Washington, DC 20250-3250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Thomas H. Stafford, Director, 
Cooperative Marketing Division, Cooperative Services, Rural Development 
Administration, USDA, Ag Box 3252, Washington, DC 20250-3252, Phone: 
202-690-0368.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal-State Research on Cooperatives 
(FSROC) Program is authorized under Section 204 (b) of the Agricultural 
Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq). The program is a matching 
fund program designed to assist State Departments of Agriculture and 
State Agricultural Experiment Stations in conducting research related 
to cooperatives. Organizations interested in conducting a research 
study should contact their State Department of Agriculture Marketing 
Division to discuss their proposal.
    Mutually acceptable proposals must be submitted through the State 
Agency. State Agencies must provide at least 50 percent of the funds 
for the research. FSROC program funds may not be used for advertising 
or the purchase of equipment or facilities. Guidelines, as outlined in 
7 CFR 4285, published elsewhere in this same issue of the Federal 
Register may be obtained from your State Department of Agriculture or 
the above Rural Development Administration contact.
    In terms of objectives, States are encouraged to submit proposals 
regarding studies:
    (a) To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of marketing of 
agricultural cooperatives;
    (b) To measure the impact of rural cooperatives on the local 
economies;
    (c) That help identify opportunities to develop cooperatives for 
new or alternative market uses of agricultural products;
    (d) That help identify ways to develop agricultural marketing 
cooperatives; and,
    (e) Addressing other cooperative marketing objectives;
    Format for the proposals are as outlined in 7 CFR Part 4285, 
Sec. 4285.58. Included are Forms SF-424, SF-424A and SF-424B, a 
Statement of Work, Collaborative arrangement description, and 
description of the personnel support for the project.
    The Federal-State Research on Cooperatives Program is a part of the 
``Technical Assistance to Cooperatives'' as listed in the ``Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance'' under No. 10.350 and subject agencies 
must adhere to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which bars 
discrimination in all Federally assisted programs.

    Dated: July 18, 1994.
Karl N. Stauber,
Acting Under Secretary for Small Community and Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 94-18286 Filed 7-27-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-32-U