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[Federal Register: March 1, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 39)]
[Notices]               
[Page 9155-9156]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01mr10-35]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc AMS-TM-09-0088; TM-09-09]

 
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the 
2010 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 $5 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year 
(FY) 2010 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, agri-tourism activities, and other direct producer-to-
consumer infrastructures. AMS hereby requests proposals from eligible 
entities from the following categories: an agricultural cooperative or 
a producer network or association, local governments, nonprofit 
corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development 
corporations, regional farmers' market authorities, and Tribal 
governments. The minimum award per grant is $2,500 and the maximum 
award per grant is $100,000. No matching funds are required.

DATES: Applications should be received at the address below and must be 
postmarked not later than April 15, 2010. Applications bearing a 
postmark after the deadline will not be considered.

ADDRESSES: Submit proposals and other required materials to the 2010 
Farmers' Market Promotion Program (FMPP) Grant Program, Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS), USDA, Room 3012-South Tower, 1800 M Street, 
NW., Washington, DC, 20036-5831, phone 202-694-4000.
    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. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Carmen Humphrey, Branch Chief, 
Marketing Grants and Technical Services Branch, Marketing Services 
Division, Transportation and Marketing Programs, AMS, USDA, on 202-694-
4000, fax 202-694-5949. State that your request for information refers 
to Docket No. TM-09-09.

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) authorizing the 
establishment of the Farmers' Market Promotion Program (7 U.S.C. 
3005)(FMPP) and as amended by section 10106 of the Food, Conservation 
and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-246). 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, agri-tourism 
activities 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, agri-tourism 
activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer marketing 
opportunities.''
    Detailed program guidelines may be obtained at http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP or from the contact listed above. 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.
    All electronic benefits transfers (EBT) will be considered for FMPP 
funding. Not less than 10 percent of the total available funds will be 
used to support the use of electronic benefits transfer (EBT) for 
Federal nutrition programs at

[[Page 9156]]

farmers' markets. Additionally, these new EBT projects must demonstrate 
a plan to continue to provide EBT card access at one (1) or more 
farmers' markets following the completion of the FMPP grant. To be 
included in this allotment of funds the application narrative must 
designate the applicant's competition for FMPP as a new EBT project. 
See the FMPP Guidelines at http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP for more 
information. FMPP funds shall be provided to eligible entities that 
demonstrate a plan to continue to provide EBT card access at one (1) or 
more farmers' markets following the receipt of the grant.
    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 was previously approved by 
OMB and was 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 e-mailed 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, 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 18, 2010.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-4056 Filed 2-26-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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