|
Local and regional food system marketing program opens up new round of funding
Story Date: 4/29/2013
| |
Source: PRESS RELEASE, 4/26/13
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced a request for applications for its latest round of funding for the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP). FSMIP is a small program designed to assist states to explore new market opportunities through research and innovation.
Proposals will be accepted through May 28, 2013.
As the title suggests FSMIP is targeted towards state agencies. Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture, State agricultural experiment stations, State universities, and other appropriate State Agencies. State level applicants are encouraged to partner with industry groups, academia, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders in their proposed projects.
Two previous priority categories remain for the 2013 round of grants:
Creating wealth in rural communities through the development of local and regional food systems and value-added agriculture; and
Developing direct marketing opportunities for producers, or producer groups.
But this years Request For Applications includes a new and timely priority area:
Assessing challenges and developing methods or practices that could assist local and regional producers in marketing agricultural products that meet the mandates of the Food and Drug Administration’s new Food Safety Modernization Act.Eligible agricultural categories include the usual — livestock, livestock products, food and feed crops, fish and shellfish, horticulture, viticulture, apiary, and forest products and processed or manufactured products derived from such commodities. In addition, however, AMS is now also accepting proposals dealing with nutraceuticals, bioenergy, compost, agroforestry products, and products made from agricultural residue.
Proposals may deal with barriers, challenges, or opportunities manifesting at any stage of the marketing chain including direct, wholesale, and retail. Proposals should benefit multiple producers or businesses and multi-state proposals are eligible for funding. Proposals may involve small, medium, or large scale agricultural entities but should potentially benefit multiple producers or agribusinesses. Proprietary proposals that benefit one business or individual will not be considered. Smaller scale projects may serve as pilot projects or case studies useful as models for other states.
FSMIP proposals will be accepted through May 28, 2013. A Guide for FSMIP Applicants is posted on the FSMIP website. FSMIP awards average about $50,000.
A stakeholder should contact an appropriate state agency about FSMIP if the stakeholder has a project idea that could benefit from FSMIP funding.
For more info, click here.
| |
|
|
