[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] ======================================================================== 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. ======================================================================== 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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