[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 4, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 64319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30862]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 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 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 234 / Wednesday, December 4, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 64319]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[TM-96-00-201]


Notice of Program Continuation

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice Inviting Applications for Fiscal Year 1997 Grant Funds 
Under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Federal-State Marketing 
Improvement Program (FSMIP) was allocated $1,200,000 in the Federal 
budget for fiscal year 1997. Funds remain available for this program. 
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 organizations in the 
development of proposals and the conduct of projects.

DATES: Applications will be accepted through June 9, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Proposals may be sent to Dr. Larry V. Summers, FSMIP, Staff 
Officer, Transportation and Marketing Division, Agricultural Marketing 
Service (AMS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 2949 South 
Building, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Larry V. Summers, (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.). The 
program is a matching fund program designed to assist State Departments 
of Agriculture or other appropriate State Agencies in conducting 
studies or developing innovative approaches related to the marketing of 
agricultural products. Other organizations interested in the 
development of proposals on the conduct of projects should contact 
their State Department of Agriculture's Marketing Division to discuss 
their proposal.
    Mutually acceptable proposals are submitted by the State Agency and 
must be accompanied by a completed Standard Form (SF)-424 with SF-424A 
and SF-424B attached. FSMIP funds may not be used for advertising or, 
with limited exceptions, for the purchase of equipment or facilities. 
Guidelines may be obtained from your State Department of Agriculture or 
the above AMS contact.
    States are encouraged to submit proposals aimed at:
    (1) Identifying and evaluating new or expanded uses and markets, 
both domestic and foreign, for food and other agricultural products;
    (2) Developing or assessing alternative approaches to cope with 
increased price volatility and related risks in a market-driven, global 
economy; and,
    (3) Reengineering and experimenting with regard to a variety of 
public marketing service programs, including but not limited to market 
news and information, grades and standards, and inspection or 
certification programs, in order to facilitate efficient and fair 
trading within increasingly complex and concentrated marketing systems.
    Proposals addressing other marketing objectives or issues also will 
receive consideration.
    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: November 27, 1996.
Eileen S. Stommes,
Director, Transportation and Marketing Division.
[FR Doc. 96-30862 Filed 12-3-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P