Farmers' Market Promotion Program (10.168)

Program

10.168 Farmers' Market Promotion Program

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: Agricultural Marketing Service

Authorization

Section 5 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976, Public Law 94-463, as amended by Section 10605 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Public Law 107-171.

Program Number

10.168

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To increase domestic consumption of agricultural commodities assisting in the improvement and expansion of domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities; and develop, or aid in the development of, new farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, and other direct producer-to-consumer infrastructures.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Projects must improve and expand, or assist in the improvement and expansion of, domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities through innovative approaches to market operations and management, improving access to relevant marketing and financial information, and consumer-based education and market access. Eligible entities must apply for FMPP funds on behalf of direct marketing operations that include two or more farmers/farm vendors who produce and sell their own products through a common distribution channel. Use of funds are based on documented needs, excluding, however, routine operational expenses such as management salaries or other salaries associated with normal operation of farm markets/marketing entities, utility bills, and insurance premiums. FMPP grant funds cannot be used to pay for acquisition, repair, rehabilitation, or construction of a building or facility; acquisition of land; political or lobbying activities; or any activities prohibited by 7 CFR parts 3015 and 3019. Additional detail and justification must be provided for any purchase that is expected to exceed $5,000.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Agricultural cooperatives, local governments, nonprofit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers market authorities, and Tribal governments. Projects must be located within the 50 States or the District of Columbia.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Direct marketing operations that include two or more farm vendors who produce and sell their own products through a common marketing channel, and consumers.

Credentials/Documentation

Applicants must provide documentation as to how they meet the definition of an eligible entity. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Applicants must submit forms SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B, an eligibility statement, a narrative description of the proposal including project title, executive summary, goals, background, workplan and resource requirements, and expected results, a supplemental budget summary, and any supporting documents such as letters of support.

Award Procedure

Applications are reviewed and approved or disapproved by the Agricultural Marketing Service in competition with other applications received. Grantees are notified of the amount awarded by allotment letter. Grant payments are made on a reimbursable basis.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

120 to 180 days from the application deadline.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Projects are not to exceed 18 months. Grant payments are made on an as-needed basis over the grant period. Advance payments may be requested. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: As provided for in agreements.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

No program reports are required. As provided for in agreements. Progress reports are required at the midpoint of projects approved for one year and at 6-month intervals for projects of longer duration. A final report of results and accomplishments and form SF 269A must be submitted no later than 90 days after the grant ends. As provided for in agreements. As provided for in agreements.

Audits

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-133. In accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR Part 3052, which implement OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 7 CFR 3052.

Records

Grantees and sub-grantees must keep all records relating to the grant for 3 years from the date the SF-269A is submitted to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Eighty-five projects from 43 States have been selected for funding out of 225 proposals received from 48 States. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-2501-0-1-352.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $3,000,000; FY 09 est $5,000,000; FY 10 est $5,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

The maximum grant is $75,000.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Guidelines for the Farmer Market Promotion Program are posted at http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/MSB/index.htm or may be obtained from the Farmers Market Promotion Program contact.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Errol Bragg 1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20250 Phone: 202-720-8317

Web Site Address

http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/MSB/index.ht

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Applications are evaluated on the following criteria: need for the project, direct benefit to farmers/vendors, project innovation, degree of collaboration/partnerships and farmer/producer participation, quantitative evaluation and measurement of the project's impact, long-term project sustainability, transferability of project outcomes, and reasonableness of the budget.