AMS Release No. 332-99
George Chartier (202) 720-8998
george.chartier@usda.gov
Billy Cox (202) 720-8998
billy.cox@usda.gov
USDA INVITES STATE PARTICIPATION IN MARKET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2000--The U.S. Department of Agriculture is
inviting State departments of agriculture and other appropriate state
agencies to submit proposals for matching funds under the Federal-State
Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP).
For fiscal year 2000, the program is making $1.2 million available.
USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service administers this program.
Announcing the availability of funds to the administrative heads of
state departments of agriculture today, Kathleen A. Merrigan, AMS
administrator, advised state agencies that AMS is particularly interested in
proposals that address the issues of small farms, direct marketing, and
sustainable agriculture. She also encouraged state applicants to forge
partnerships with community-based organizations working in these areas.
FSMIP funds may be requested for a wide range of marketing research
or marketing service projects aimed at exploring new market opportunities
for agricultural products or improving the efficiency and performance of
food marketing systems. Federal funds awarded to any project must be matched
by non-federal funds or in-kind resources.
FSMIP funds will be allocated on the basis of two rounds of
competition. Proposals received by Feb. 18, 2000, will be considered during
the first round, and those received by
May 1, 2000, will be considered during the second round.
States interested in applying for FSMIP funds may submit proposals
to Larry V.
Summers, USDA STOP 0264, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, P.O. Box 96456,
Washington, DC 20090-6456, or call (202) 720-2704. Program guidelines,
application forms, and other related information are posted on the Internet
at http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/fsmip/htm.
The notice inviting applications for FSMIP funds for fiscal year
2000 will appear soon in the Federal Register.
An electronic version of this news release can be obtained via the World
Wide Web at:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/news/newsrel.htm
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