[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 74204]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31540]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 23, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 74204]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. TM-03-11]


Notice of Program Continuation

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice inviting proposals for fiscal year (FY) 2004 grant funds 
under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given for proposals for FY 2004 grant funds 
under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP). FSMIP 
anticipates that approximately $1.3 million will be available for 
support of this program in FY 2004. 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, academia 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 13, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Proposals may be sent to: FSMIP, 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.). FSMIP 
provides matching grants on a competitive basis to assist State 
Departments of Agriculture or other appropriate State agencies in 
conducting studies or developing innovative approaches related to the 
marketing of U.S. food and 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 completed Standard Forms (SF) 424 and 424A. Note that the SF 424 has 
been revised and that all applicants now must have a DUNS number and 
provide additional contact information when applying for this or any 
other Federal grant program. The revised SF 424 is available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html. AMS will not approve 
the use of FSMIP funds for advertising or, with limited exceptions, for 
the purchase of equipment. Detailed program guidelines may be obtained 
from your State Department of Agriculture, the above AMS contact, or 
the FSMIP Web site: www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/fsmip.htm.
    FSMIP 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 areas:
    (1) Market Analysis--collecting and analyzing unique and relevant 
economic data and transportation and marketing statistics relating to 
targeted domestic and international markets.
    (2) Transportation and distribution--finding ways to improve 
efficiency and reduce barriers in local, regional, national and 
international transportation and distribution systems to promote free 
movement of U.S. food and agricultural products.
    (3) Competitiveness and new markets--identifying new opportunities 
for traditional and non-traditional products and by-products of 
agricultural production and processing in domestic and international 
markets. Assessing consumer preferences and consumer response to 
marketing and labeling claims.
    (4) Quality and variety--enhancing the value of food and 
agricultural products through improvements in product quality and 
traceability. Using technology to address marketing challenges and 
opportunities such as developing new products and innovative packaging, 
or improving handling and storage methods.
    Starting in FY 2004, applicants have the option of submitting FSMIP 
applications electronically through the central Federal grants Web 
site, http://grants.gov instead of mailing hard copy documents. 
Applicants considering the electronic application option are strongly 
urged to familiarize themselves with the Federal grants Web site well 
before the application deadline and to begin the application process 
before the deadline. Additional details about the FSMIP application 
process for all applicants are available at the FSMIP Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/fsmip.htm.
    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 17, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31540 Filed 12-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P