[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 241 (Wednesday, December 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 69260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33292]


 ========================================================================
 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. 63, No. 241 / Wednesday, December 16, 1998 / 
Notices  

[[Page 69260]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[TM-98-00-200]


Notice of Program Continuation

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice inviting applications for fiscal year 1999 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 1999. 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 14, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Proposals may be sent to: FSMIP Staff, Transportation and 
Marketing, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Room 4006 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 participating 
in this program 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.
    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 which address the 
``marketing'' issues and concerns identified in the report of the 
National Commission on Small Farms, including projects aimed at ``* * * 
developing direct marketing strategies and initiatives that primarily 
benefit small farms.'' and projects in which the State agencies ``* * * 
partner with community-based organizations interested in pursuing local 
or regional food system strategies.'' Copies of the FSMIP guidelines 
and the report of the National Commission on Small Farms may be 
obtained by contacting the person listed as the contact for further 
information.
    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 9, 1998.
Gary E. Scavongelli,
Acting Deputy Administrator, Transportation and Marketing.
[FR Doc. 98-33292 Filed 12-11-98; 2:11 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P