Agricultural Marketing Service. Farmers Market Promotion Program Grants CFDA No

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1 Agricultural Marketing Service Opportunities for Farmers Markets within USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program Grants CFDA No American Farmland Trust Webinar April 13, 2011 Carmen H. Humphrey, Branch Chief and Program Manager Marketing Services Division s Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) Grant Program Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA

2 The Farmers Market Promotional Program (FMPP) is a competitive grant program to help establish, promote, and expand direct producer to consumer market opportunities of domestic agricultural products and agritourism. Authorized by the Farmer to Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976, the FMPP will grow to $10 million per year for FY 2011 and 2012.

3 Eligible Entities Agricultural cooperatives, producer networks, and producer associations* Tribal and local governments Non profit corporations Public benefit corporations and economic development corporations Regional farmers market authorities * Producer networks and producer associations were added in the 2008 Farm Bill

4 No matching required Minimum grant award = $2,500 Maximum grant award = $100,000 Project length < 24 months 10% of total awards will fund new electronic benefit transfer (EBT) projects at farmers markets

5 Eligible Activities Projects that promote training, education, technical assistance and information sharing for farmers, vendors, and market managers to enhance sales volumes, selfsufficiency, and product safety. Projects that improve consumers access to and utilization of direct farm markets/marketing outlets. Projects that address operational or market management issues to enhance product value and sales, increase revenue and efficiency, or reduce expenses.

6 Ineligible Activities: Acquisition of land or a building(s) Repair, rehabilitation, or construction of a building(s) Political or lobbying activities Projects funded by other public, private, Federal organizations

7 New for 2011? 30 day application period; received by date Separate applications for EBT and non EBT projects Written proof of eligibility No exceptions for missing application information

8 Proposed FMPP Priority for FY2011: Increasing Food Access in Food Deserts What is a food desert? An area with limited access to affordable and nutritious food, particularly areas composed of predominantly lower income neighborhoods and communities.

9 How do I know if my project is in a food desert? Check the website at: px

10 What makes an FMPP project/narrative more competitive? Reviewers can easily determine that the applicant: Followed the directions (Guidelines) Has a clear work plan and realistic timeline Addresses each evaluation criteria

11 What makes an FMPP project/narrative more competitive? Reviewers can easily determine that the applicant: Has a well defined, thorough budget Has measurable outputs and outcomes that demonstrate real impact

12 Website tools: Pre Application Guide FMPP Guidelines Performance Measurement & Evaluation Application checklist FAQ

13 (FMPP) USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service Marketing Services Division 1800 M Street, NW Room 3012 South Tower Washington, DC // in late May

14 Timelines: Applications must be RECEIVED BY AMS by (TBD), 2011 (or by 11:59pm EST via notification of application receipt TBD Review process TBD AMS announces awards before the end of September Funds available to awardees October 2010

15 Carmen Humphrey Karl Hacker Branch Chief Economist v Camia (Mia) Lane Ricardo Krajewski Agricultural Marketing Specialist Economist Ricardo.Krajewski@ams.usda.gov Linda Browne Agricultural Marketing Specialist Alicia Bell Sheeter Agricultural Communication Specialist Alicia.Bell Sheeter@ams.usda.gov

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) Grant Program

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) Grant Program 5 th National Small Farm Conference Springfield, Illinois September 16, 2009 Carmen H. Humphrey, Branch Chief