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FEDERAL-STATE MARKETING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (FSMIP)
Matching Funds to State Agencies for Marketing Studies
and Innovative Marketing Strategies
The Federal-State Marketing
Improvement Program (FSMIP) provides matching funds to
State Departments of Agriculture and other State agencies
to conduct marketing studies or assist in developing
innovative approaches to the marketing of agricultural
products. If a farmers market is able to partner with
a State Agency this program could provide an innovative
approach to obtain funds to assist in the marketing and
promotion of farmers' markets.
FSMIP funds can be
requested for a wide range of marketing research and
marketing service activities, including projects aimed
at:
- Developing and testing new or more
efficient methods of processing, packaging, handling,
storing, transporting, and distributing food and other
agricultural products;
- Assessing customer response to new
or alternative agricultural products or marketing services
and evaluating potential opportunities for U.S. producers,
processors, and other agribusinesses, in both domestic
and international markets; or
- Identifying problems and impediments
in existing channels of trade between producers and
consumers of agricultural products and devising improved
marketing practices, facilities, or systems to address
such problems.
Funding
For Fiscal Year 2003, Federal funds in the amount of $1,347,000
are expected to be provided in USDA's budget for FSMIP grant allocations.
Next Round of Funding
The round of funding for fiscal year 2003 was recently announced.
Applications must be postmarked by February 14, 2003.
Project Examples
Arkansas--$59,600 to conduct research and provide technical
assistance to limited-resource farmers in the Eastern Arkansas Delta
area to help these farmers market alternative and value-added farm
products in nearby urban centers.
Oklahoma--$80,000 to examine
marketing practices at current and former farmers' markets
in Oklahoma and evaluate the economic and non-economic
factors that appear to impede or contribute to the financial
success of farmers market operations.
Pennsylvania--$31,000 to develop
and implement a comprehensive business plan for a community
farmers market on the south side of Pittsburgh.
To find out more about this program, including information on applying
for a grant go to: www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/fsmip.htm
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