[Federal Register: November 21, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 225)]
[Notices]
[Page 70206-70207]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21no02-44]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. TM-02-09]
Notice of Program Continuation
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice Inviting Proposals for fiscal year (FY) 2003 grant funds
under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that for the Federal-State Marketing
Improvement Program (FSMIP) for FY 2003 the Continuing Budget
Resolution as well as U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate
Appropriations Bills provide $1,347,000, the same amount as for FY
2002. 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 14, 2003.
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.). FSMIP
provides matching grants on a competitive basis
[[Page 70207]]
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 SF-424A. Under this program,
AMS will not approve the use of funds for advertising or, with limited
exceptions, for the purchase of equipment or facilities. Detailed
program guidelines may be obtained from your State Department of
Agriculture, the above AMS contact, or the FSMIP Web site: http://
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 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;
(4) Technical Innovation--using technology to improve food quality,
develop new products or processing methods, and address food safety
concerns through improved handling processing, or and packaging; and
(5) Transportation and Distribution--fostering efficiencies in the
transportation and distribution of U.S. food and agricultural products
both domestically and overseas; addressing challenges to exporters of
identity-preserved grain and other specialty commodities; assisting
small and medium scale producers overcome barriers to accessing new or
expanded markets; and applying supply chain management in the marketing
system.
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 13, 2002.
A. J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 02-29531 Filed 11-20-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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