[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 231 (Friday, November 30, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 59773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29703]


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 Notices
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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 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 231 / Friday, November 30, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 59773]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. # TM-01-10]


Notice of Program Continuation

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice inviting proposals for fiscal year (FY) 2002 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 $1,347,000 in the Federal 
budget for FY 2002. 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 groups and community-based 
organizations in the development of proposals and the conduct of 
projects.

DATES: Funds will be allocated on the basis of one round of 
consideration. Proposals will be accepted through February 15, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Proposals may be sent to: FSMIP Staff, Transportation and 
Marketing Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 4009 
South Building, Washington, DC 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janise Zygmont, FSMIP Staff Officer, 
(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.
    Proposals are submitted by the State Agency and must be accompanied 
by a completed Standard Form (SF)-424 with SF-424A 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.
    Starting with FY 2002, FSMIP funds will be allocated on the basis 
of only one round of competition. In previous years, FSMIP grants were 
allocated on the basis of two rounds. Moving to one round will enable 
FSMIP staff to give more attention to project oversight, ongoing 
consultation with researchers, and wider dissemination of research 
results. The change should result in more efficient management of FSMIP 
projects at both the State and Federal levels.
    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 that have 
regional or national significance, and that foster innovation in the 
following arenas:
    (1) Global Economy--preparing U.S. producers to market profitably 
in a rapidly changing global environment where 96 percent of the 
world's consumers reside outside the United States;
    (2) Consumer-Driven Agriculture--responding to consumer concerns 
about health and food safety; developing new products that address the 
needs of the mobile, time-pressed consumer; and studying the uses and 
value to consumers of food labeling and packaging alternatives;
    (3) Agricultural Diversity--identifying niche market opportunities; 
exploring new markets for agricultural products, such as for industrial 
and nutraceutical applications; developing value-added products that 
meet consumer needs while enabling producers to retain a larger share 
of the food dollar; and developing marketing tools and strategies that 
will foster long term sustainability of the environment and viable 
rural communities; and
    (4) Technical Innovation--exploring ways improve food safety and 
reduce the threat of plant and animal diseases in marketing channels 
such as through improved handling and packaging; and fostering ways to 
transport and distribute food and agricultural products more 
efficiently both domestically and overseas.
    Copies of the FSMIP guidelines 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: November 20, 2001.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 01-29703 Filed 11-29-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P