```

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 48 (Friday, March 13, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10877-10878]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5491]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. AMS-TM-08-0112; TM-08-14]

Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the 
2009 Farmers' Market Promotion Program (FMPP)

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces funding of 
approximately $5 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year 
(FY) 2009 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: (1) An agricultural cooperative 
or a producer network or association, (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 $100,000. 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. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, the information collection requirements have been previously 
approved by the Office of Budget and Management (OMB) under 0581-0235.

DATES: Applications should be received at the address below and must be 
postmarked not later than April 27, 2009. Applications bearing a 
postmark after the deadline will not be considered.

ADDRESSES: Submit proposals and other required materials to Mr. Errol 
Bragg, Director, Marketing Services Division, 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: Ms. Carmen Humphrey, Branch Chief, 
Marketing Grants and Technical Assistance Branch, Marketing Services 
Division, Transportation and Marketing Programs, AMS, USDA, on 202-720-

[[Page 10878]]

8317, fax 202-690-0031, or by e-mail [email protected]. State that your 
request for information refers to Docket No. TM-08-14.

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 Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 
110-246) also made a number of changes to the FMPP and provided the 
available funding. 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 transfers (EBT) for 
Federal nutrition programs at 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 receipt 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 exclude existing routine operational expenses such as 
management salaries or other salaries associated with normal operation 
of existing farmers markets/marketing entities, utility bills, and 
insurance premiums. In addition, 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 is currently approved by 
OMB and were assigned OMB control number 0581-0235.
    AMS is committed to complying with the e-Government Act, which 
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: March 10, 2009.
Robert C. Keeney,
Acting Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. E9-5491 Filed 3-12-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
```