[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 67327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33591]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[TM-97-00-200]


Notice of Program Continuation

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice inviting applications for Fiscal Year 1998 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 $1,200,000 in the Federal 
budget for fiscal year 1998. 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 organizations in the 
development of proposals and the conduct of projects.

DATES: Applications will be accepted through June 19, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Proposals may be sent to Dr. Larry V. Summers, FSMIP, Staff 
Officer, Transportation and Marketing, Agricultural Marketing Service 
(AMS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 4006 South Building, P.O. 
Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Larry V. Summers, 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.
    Mutually acceptable proposals are submitted by the State Agency and 
must be accompanied by a completed Standard Form (SF)-424 with SF-424A 
and SF-424B 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.
    States are encouraged to submit proposals for projects which will:
    (1) Assist in identifying and expanding market opportunities for 
U.S. agricultural products, both domestically and internationally, 
through the development and market testing of new or improved products 
and value-adding services;
    (2) Address agricultural marketing issues and concerns of 
particular importance to relatively small, limited-resource farms and 
rural enterprises; and,
    (3) Encourage the development of marketing practices and 
technologies aimed at improving the quality of agricultural products or 
the sustainability of natural resources and the environment.
    Proposals addressing other marketing objectives or issues also will 
receive consideration.
    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 18, 1997.
Eileen S. Stommes,
Deputy Administrator, Transportation and Marketing.
[FR Doc. 97-33591 Filed 12-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-U