Applications for second round consideration must be received by June
19. Information on applying for FSMIP grants can be obtained on the
Internet at "http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/fsmip97.htm", or by
contacting Larry V. Summers in writing at T&M, AMS, USDA, PO Box
96456, Rm. 4006-S, Washington, DC 20090-6456, or calling (202)
720-2704.
(see below) Andy
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 16:29:13 GMT
From: owner-smallfarm@maat.reeusda.gov
AMS NEWS RELEASE
Sender: owner-smallfarm@reeusda.gov
To: Multiple Recipients of the List <smallfarm@reeusda.gov>
From: Small Farm Owner <smallfarm-owner@reeusda.gov>
Andy Solomon (202) 720-4623
andy.solomon@usda.gov
Billy Cox (202) 720-8998
Billy_A_Cox@usda.gov
USDA AWARDS EIGHT GRANTS FOR AGRICULTURAL MARKETING, RESEARCH
WASHINGTON, June 16, 1998--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced $500,000 in grants to seven states to develop a wide range
of projects for improving the marketing and distribution of
agricultural products.
"These grants will encourage the development of innovative
approaches to the marketing of agricultural products," said Glickman.
"They will nurture innovative partnerships to help boost diverse
agricultural sales -- from creating two new farmers markets in Rhode
Island to establishing a North Dakota-based website for marketing
farm products.
"Today, smart marketing strategies are playing a bigger role in
ensuring the success of small and family farms," he said. "These
grants for marketing research and assistance will help smaller
agricultural producers compete effectively in domestic and
international marketplaces."
The USDA grants include --
Montana--A $90,000 grant to the Montana Department of Agriculture
will be used to investigate the market potential for flour and
products made from Indian ricegrass, providing the Great Plains
region with a new, high value grain crop.
New Jersey--A $85,300 grant to Rutgers University will fund research
to help expand market opportunities for small, organic farms in the
Northeast.
North Dakota--A $60,000 grant to the North Dakota Department of
Agriculture will be used to boost the growing and marketing of new
crops for domestic and international markets. An additional $25,000
grant will assist in the creation of an Internet "marketing mall," a
website that will help agricultural businesses market products via
the Internet.
Rhode Island--A $60,000 grant to the Rhode Island Division of
Agriculture will help establish two new farmers markets, one at an
inner-city location and one at a state park. Guidelines for other
states or organizations wishing to start farmers markets in state
parks will also be developed.
Tennessee--A $54,685 grant awarded to the University of Tennessee,
in cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, will be
used to survey the state agricultural sector on the effectiveness of
state and federal marketing assistance programs, such as the
Federal-State Market News Service.
Texas--A $68,161 grant to the Texas Department of Agriculture, in
cooperation with Texas A&M University, will fund an assessment of
current marketing bottlenecks and opportunities for cooperation among
small Texas meat processing plants in order to expand the processed
meat market.
Wisconsin--A $70,300 grant to the Wisconsin Department of
Agriculture, in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin, will be
used to identify marketing opportunities for alternative red meats,
including farm-raised deer, elk, bison, and ratite (emu and ostrich)
in the natural, health, and gourmet food marketplace.
Today's grants will be matched by the states receiving them. They
are the first of more than $1.2 million in grants to be awarded this
fiscal year through USDA's Federal-State Marketing Improvement
Program. A second round of grants will be released in August.
Applications for second round consideration must be received by June
19. Information on applying for FSMIP grants can be obtained on the
Internet at "http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/fsmip97.htm", or by
contacting Larry V. Summers in writing at T&M, AMS, USDA, PO Box
96456, Rm. 4006-S, Washington, DC 20090-6456, or calling (202)
720-2704.
HENRY "JH" BAHN
National Program Leader
Economic & Community Systems
Cooperative State Research, Education, & Extension Service
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
Washington, DC, USA 20250
(202) 720-5280 tel
(202) 690-2522 fax
hbahn@reeusda.gov e-mail
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