2009 Farmers Market Promotion Program

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) invites proposals for the 2009 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) grant program. The Notice of Funds Available for the FMPP was published in the Federal Register on March 13, 2009. This is the fourth year of the FMPP grant program, which is authorized under the recently amended Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976.

AMS will award approximately $5 million in competitive funds for FMPP in Fiscal Year 2009. FMPP grants are available at levels not less than $2,500 and not more than $100,000; no matching funds are required. Proposal submitted for funding should be designed to assist in promoting, expanding, and improving domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities.

Eligible entities for the 2009 FMPP grants include agricultural cooperatives, producer networks, producer associations, local governments, non-profit organizations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers’ market authorities, and Tribal governments to consider developing proposals for this grant program. Eligible entities must be owned, operated, and located within one or more of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

Applications must be submitted to AMS and postmarked by April 27, 2009. For information on applying for FMPP grant funds, please visit our website: www.ams.usda.gov/fmpp .