AMS No. 263-11

Gwen Sparks, (202) 260-8210

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2012 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is requesting proposals for matching grant funds under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP).

State departments of agriculture, state agricultural experiment stations and other appropriate state agencies are invited to apply for approximately $1.2 million in grants for FSMIP projects in fiscal year 2012. Funds will support research projects that help market, transport and distribute U.S. agricultural products domestically and internationally. Federal funds awarded must be matched by non-federal funds and/or in-kind resources.

“FSMIP grants provide our state partners with matching funds to explore new and innovative approaches to marketing U.S. agricultural products,” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. “We’re especially interested in proposals that involve collaboration among states, academia, producers and other stakeholders, and have state, multi-state or national significance.”

States interested in applying for FSMIP funds may submit proposals by March 23, 2012, to FSMIP Staff Officer, USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service, 1400 Independence Avenue S.W., Room 4549-S, Washington, D.C. 20250, or call (202) 720-5024. All proposals that fall within program guidelines will be considered. Program guideline information, application forms and other details are available at www.ams.usda.gov/FSMIP. Applicants may submit proposals via the federal grants website, www.grants.gov, or by e-mail to janise.zygmont@ams.usda.gov.

The notice inviting applications for FSMIP funds for fiscal year 2012 appeared in the Feb. 7, 2012, Federal Register.

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