Funding-FEDERAL-STATE MARKETING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM; May 28, 2013

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite this being a time of significant budget uncertainty. This announcement is one part of the Department’s efforts to strengthen the rural economy.

USDA is requesting proposals to compete for matching grant funds under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program. State departments of agriculture, state agricultural experiment stations and other appropriate state agencies, including land-grant colleges and universities, are invited to apply.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will consider research projects that help market, transport, and distribute U.S. agricultural products domestically and internationally.  Federally-awarded funds must be matched by non-federal monies and/or in-kind resources. 

Projects must address the needs of multiple producers or agribusinesses at the state, multi-state or national level while focusing on marketing challenges or opportunities within the direct, wholesale or retail segments of the agricultural marketing chain.  AMS also encourages submissions that:

· Increase  marketing opportunities for agricultural producers

· Create stronger economies in rural communities

· Market agricultural products meeting new Food Safety Modernization Act mandates

· Lead to the successful development of local and regional food systems in rural      communities

Applications will only be accepted via the federal grant site www.grants.gov, and must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on May 28, 2013. Applications that are incomplete or submitted via any other method will not be accepted.  Complete application guidelines are available at www.ams.usda.gov/FSMIP.  For more information contact the FSMIP Staff Officer, USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service, 1400 Independence Avenue S.W., Room 4549-S, Washington, D.C. 20250, call (202) 720-5024, or email janise.zygmont@ams.usda.gov .  The notice inviting applications for FSMIP funds for fiscal year 2013 will appear in the April 26, 2013, Federal Register.

USDA makes a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $700 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.