The Department of Agriculture recently announced the availability of $5 million dollars for the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), a competitive grants program to improve and increase direct farmer-to-consumer marketing. Community-supported agriculture programs, farmers markets, roadside stands, and other direct marketing strategies are supported.

Grants will provide assistance with organizing, marketing, training, business plan development, community outreach and education and other activities that improve direct marketing opportunities. For example, previous grant funds have been used for educational workshops for farmers market managers and the farmers/vendors; acquiring permanent signage for markets to identify location and operation hours; purchasing supplies for underserved farmers and markets; and conducting promotional campaigns through newspaper, radio, and television advertising.

Priority will be given to proposals that incorporate:

• Development of new electronic benefit transfer (EBT) programs to use for federal nutrition programs at farmers markets.
   
• Training and educational programs for new direct farm marketers on the benefits, challenges, and logistics of agricultural direct marketing in a given region. Topics could include small business development, marketing techniques, identifying market opportunities, or mentoring programs for women, minorities, immigrant, transitioning, and new farmers. Remember to focus on recruitment and retention of new farmers to participate at farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer farm marketing outlets.
   
• Development of professional expertise for farmers market managers, farmers/vendors, boards, and organizations to effectively manage and/or operate farmers markets and other direct marketing enterprises.
   
• Eligible applicants include farmer-owned cooperatives, nonprofits, agricultural cooperatives, local governments, economic development corporations, regional farmers market authorities, public benefit corporations and Tribal Governments.

The minimum award per grant is $2,500, and the maximum is $100,000. An applicant is limited to no more than one grant in a grant-funding year. Applications must be postmarked no later than April 27, 2009.

Learn more about the Farmers Market Promotion Program and how to apply with the application guidelines at the Agricultural Marketing Service website:
www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5075760&acct=fmpp

Contact: Traci Bruckner, tracib@cfra.org or 402.687.2103 x 1016 for more information.