[CED/CD/EAT] FW: 2021 USDA-AMS Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) APPLICATION DEADLINE: Jun 21, 2021

Thu May 6 15:41:56 MST 2021

FYI...

From: Gonzalez Jr., Roberto - OPPE, Calexico, CA <roberto.gonzalez at usda.gov>
Sent: Thursday, May 6, 2021 3:39 PM
To: Ogden, Kimberly L - (ogden) <ogden at arizona.edu>; Burgess, Shane C - (shaneburgess) <sburgess at cals.arizona.edu>; Hunt, James E - (jeh) <JHunt at ag.arizona.edu>; Pawar, Sangita C - (sangita) <sangita at arizona.edu>; Mester, John Clark - (jmester) <jmester at arizona.edu>; Patten, Kim J - (kjpatten) <kjpatten at arizona.edu>; Coffey, Courtney - (ccoffey) <ccoffey at arizona.edu>; Silvertooth, Jeffrey C - (silverto) <Silver at ag.arizona.edu>; Mars, Matthew M - (mmars) <mmars at arizona.edu>; Cantwell, Elizabeth R - (ecantwell) <ecantwell at arizona.edu>
Subject: [EXT]2021 USDA-AMS Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) APPLICATION DEADLINE: Jun 21, 2021

External Email
USDA-AMS Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) funds projects that develop, coordinate, and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.
The program focuses on:
* Supporting and promoting domestic direct producer-to-consumer markets (including direct producer-to-retail, direct producer-to-restaurant and direct producer-to-institutional marketing) such as farmers markets, roadside stands, agritourism activities, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, or online sales;
* Encouraging the development of value-added agricultural products;
* Developing marketing strategies for producers of local food and value-added products;
* Facilitating regional food chain coordination and mid-tier value chain development;
* Promoting new business opportunities and marketing strategies to reduce on-farm food waste;
* Responding to changing technology needs in direct producer-to-consumer marketing; and
* Covering expenses related to costs incurred in obtaining food safety certification and improvements to food safety practices and equipment.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Nonprofit Corporations [Any organization or institution, including nonprofits with State or IRS 501 (c) status and accredited institutions of higher education, where no part of the organization's or institution's net earnings inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual], Local Governments [Any unit of government within a state, including a county; borough; municipality; city; town; township; parish; local public authority, including any public housing agency under the United States Housing Act of 1937 (50 Stat. 888 (P.L. 75-412); special district; school district; intrastate district; council of governments, whether or not incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under State law; and any other agency or instrumentality of a multi-state, regional, or intra-state or local government], Public Benefit Corporations, Economic Development Corporations, Regional Farmers Market Authorities, Agricultural Businesses or Cooperatives, Producer Networks or Association, CSA Networks or Associations, Food Council, Tribal Governments.

VIEW GRANT OPPORTUNITY: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=333341

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Jun 21, 2021

FMPP offers Capacity Building (CB) and Community Development Training and Technical Assistance (CTA) project types.  CB is 36 Months Duration from September 30, 2021 (Start Date) to September 29, 2024 (Completion Date) with $50,000 (Minimum Award) and $500,000 (Maximum Award).  CTA is 36 Months Duration from September 30, 2021 (Start Date) to September 29, 2024 (Completion Date) with $100,000 (Minimum Award) and $750,000 (Maximum Award).

CB projects are intended to assist applicants' efforts to achieve their mission and build long-term organizational capacity in the development, coordination, and expansion of domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, CSA programs, agritourism activities, online sales, or other direct producer-to[1]consumer (including direct producer-to-retail, direct producer-to-restaurant and direct producer-to-institutional marketing) market opportunities. CB projects should demonstrate a direct benefit to farm and ranch operations serving local markets (including new, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, veteran producers and/or underserved communities) and maximize the involvement of farmers and ranchers and community organizations.
Projects can include, but are not limited to:
* Developing tools, techniques or practices that can be rapidly adopted by local agriculture markets, including those that provide direct financial support to a network of markets, or other relevant organizations, to assist in COVID response and recovery efforts.
* Market analysis and strategic planning for a direct producer-to-consumer market opportunity.
* Local farmer, rancher, or market manager startup training and education.
* Farmers market, roadside stand, CSA, agritourism or online sales activity startup, operation and/or expansion.
* Recruitment, outreach and retention of new, beginning, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, as well as to consumers in support of direct producer-to-consumer markets.
* Development of strategies and/or above practices to support and partner with other organizations affected by the pandemic. This could allow larger, more experienced entities to support smaller organizations who could also benefit from a federal grant.

CTA projects are intended to assist applicants' efforts to provide outreach, training, and technical assistance to farm and ranch operations serving local markets, and to other interested parties for developing, coordinating, and expanding domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, CSA programs, agritourism activities, online sales, or other direct producer-to-consumer (including direct producer-to[1]retail, direct producer-to-restaurant and direct producer-to-institutional marketing) market opportunities. CTA projects should engage a diverse set of local and regional food stakeholders, including new, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, to illustrate a substantive effect on the local and regional food system.
Projects can include, but are not limited to:
* Developing and disseminating tools, techniques, or practices that can be rapidly adopted by local agriculture markets, including those that provide direct financial support to a network of organizations to assist in COVID response and recovery efforts.
* Conducting statewide or regional training for farmers, ranchers, or managers(i.e., farmers market managers) to help them develop or maintain their own direct producer-to-consumer enterprise.
* Assisting farmers and ranchers in advertising and promoting their locally and regionally produced agricultural products, including value-added products, through training and technical assistance.
* Establishing or expanding producer-to-consumer networks and organizations on a state, regional, and national level, which includes efforts to develop sourcing channels using direct producer-to[1]consumer market opportunities with corporate, non-profit, and institutional buyers.
* Providing technical support for small- and mid-sized producers to become compliant with regulatory and buyer specifications and standards to increase their direct market opportunities.
* Development of strategies and/or above practices to support and partner with other organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This could allow larger, more experienced entities to support smaller organizations who could also benefit from a federal grant.

Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program Overview: https://youtu.be/GZcQTHMmw8I

How do I Apply for the FMPP Grant? https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/fmpp/how-do-i-apply-fmpp-grant

For Example
Recipient: Startup Tucson, Tucson, AZ
Project Type: Capacity Building
Award Amount: $250,000.00
Match Amount: $62,576.00
Total Project Amount: $312,576.00

Bridging the Tucson Tech Gap: Leveling-up Agricultural Producers in our City of Gastronomy through Technology, Training, and Tourism
The project aims to help the region's food producers level-up their technology, marketing, and business skills and to unify and amplify their overall marketing to improve consumer access and knowledge of our unique food heritage. Capacity building will be provided through the intensive Startup Tucson Food Accelerator to help participants develop new revenue streams, products, and services. Access to online
webinars, branding assistance, and expert mentoring will increase participants' comfort with eCommerce and customer-facing digital marketing. Collaborator will build modern eCommerce websites to help those unable to create their own. Working with the agritourism and marketing specialists at Visit Tucson, participants and local producers will join a new online retail shop that aggregates these businesses into one location for easy consumer access. This shop will be embedded in Visit Tucson's existing tourism site and paired with a robust regional marketing campaign to instantly expand reach for these producers. Expected outcomes include increased technological and entrepreneurial skills, consumer access, and digital sales for participants, new value added agricultural products for our region and increased consumer access of local products.

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