[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 26 (Thursday, February 7, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7244-7245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2195]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. AMS-TM-07-0152; TM-08-01]


Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the 
Farmers' Market Promotion Program (FMPP)

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces funding of 
approximately $1 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year 
(FY) 2008 to increase domestic consumption of agricultural commodities 
by expanding direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. Examples 
of direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities include new 
farmers' markets, roadside stands, community supported agriculture 
programs, and other direct producer-to-consumer infrastructures. AMS 
hereby requests proposals from eligible entities from the following 
categories: (1) Agricultural cooperatives, (2) local governments, (3) 
nonprofit corporations, (4) public benefit corporations, (5) economic 
development corporations, (6) regional farmers' market authorities, and 
(7) tribal governments. The maximum award per grant is $75,000. No 
matching funds are required. AMS strongly recommends that each 
applicant visit the AMS Web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP to 
review a copy of the FMPP Guidelines and application package 
preparation information to assist in preparing the proposal narrative 
and application package. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995, the information collection requirements have been previously 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 0581-0235.

DATES: Applications should be received at the address below and must be 
postmarked not later than March 24, 2008. Applications bearing a 
postmark after the deadline will not be considered.

ADDRESSES: Submit proposals and other required materials to Mr. Errol 
Bragg, Associate Deputy Administrator, Marketing Services Branch, 
Transportation and Marketing Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service 
(AMS), USDA, Room 2646-South, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-0269, phone 202/720-8317.
    For hard-copy (paper) submissions all forms, narrative, letters of 
support, and other required materials must be forwarded in one 
application package. AMS will not accept application packages by e-
mail; electronic applications will be accepted only if submitted via 
http://www.Grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Errol Bragg, Associate Deputy 
Administrator, Marketing Services Branch, Transportation and Marketing 
Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), on 202/720-8317, fax 
202/690-0031, or by e-mail [email protected]. State that your request 
for information refers to Docket No. TM-08-01.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This solicitation is issued pursuant to 
Section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 
U.S.C. 3001-3006) as amended by Section 10605 of the Farm Security and 
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-171) (the Acts) authorizing 
the establishment of the Farmers' Market Promotion Program (7 U.S.C. 
3005)(FMPP). The amended act states that the purposes of the FMPP are 
``(A) to increase domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by 
improving and expanding, or assisting in the improvement and expansion 
of, domestic farmers' markets, roadside stands, community-supported 
agriculture programs, and other direct producer-to-consumer market 
opportunities; and (B) to develop, or aid in the development of, new 
farmers' markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture 
programs, and other direct producer-to-consumer infrastructure.''
    Detailed program guidelines may be obtained at http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP or from the contact listed above.
    Further, in accordance with the Secretary's Statement of Policy (36 
FR 13804), it is found and determined upon good cause that it is 
impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest to 
engage in further public participation under 5 U.S.C 553 because the 
applications for the FMPP need to be made available as soon as possible 
as the program season approaches.

Background

    AMS will grant awards for projects that continue developing, 
promoting, and expanding direct marketing of agricultural commodities 
from farmers to consumers. Eligible FMPP proposals should support 
marketing entities where agricultural farmers or vendors sell their own 
products directly to consumers, and the sales of these farm products 
should represent the core business of the entity.
    All eligible entities shall be domestic entities, i.e., those 
owned, operated, and located within one or more of the 50 United States 
and the District of Columbia only. Entities located within U.S. 
territories are not eligible.
    Additionally, under this program eligible entities must apply for 
FMPP funds on behalf of direct marketing operators that include two or 
more agricultural farmers/vendors that produce and sell their own 
products through a common distribution channel. For example, a sole 
proprietor of a roadside farm market would not be eligible for this 
program. Individual agricultural producers, including farmers and 
farmers' market vendors, roadside stand operators, community supported 
agriculture participants, and other individual direct marketers are not 
eligible for FMPP funds.
    FMPP funds exclude existing routine operational expenses such as 
management salaries or other's salaries associated with normal 
operation of existing farmers markets/marketing entities, utility 
bills, and insurance premiums.
    FMPP grant funds must be applied to the specific programs and 
objectives identified in the application. Proprietary projects and 
projects that benefit one agricultural producer or individual will not 
be considered.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (44 U.S.C. 
Chapter 35), the FMPP information collection were previously approved 
by OMB and were assigned OMB control number 0581-0235.
    AMS is committed to compliance with the Government Paperwork 
Elimination Act (GPEA) that requires Government agencies in general to 
provide the public the option of submitting information or transacting 
business electronically to the maximum extent possible.

How to Submit Proposals and Applications

    Each applicant must follow the application preparation and 
submission instructions provided within the FMPP Guidelines at http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP. Electronic forms, proposals, letters of support, 
or any other application materials emailed directly to AMS-FMPP or 
USDA-AMS staff will not be accepted.
    Following are the options available for submitting proposals and 
applications to AMS:
    Paper Submissions--For paper submissions an original and one copy 
of the proposal, required forms, narrative,

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letters of support, and all required materials must be submitted in one 
package, preferably via express mail.
    Electronic Submissions via Grants.gov--Applicants may apply 
electronically for grants through Grants.gov at http://www.Grants.gov 
(insert 10.168 in grant search) and are strongly encouraged to initiate 
the electronic submission process at least two weeks prior to 
application deadline. Grants.gov applicants who submit their FMPP 
proposals via the Federal grants Web site are not required to submit 
any paper documents to FMPP.
    FMPP is listed in the ``Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance'' 
under number 10.168 and subject agencies must adhere to Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination in all federally 
assisted programs.

    Dated: February 1, 2008.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E8-2195 Filed 2-6-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P