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The purpose of the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) is to increase domestic consumption of and access to locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets. This is accomplished by developing, improving, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to, or assisting in the development, improvement, and expansion of domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs (CSA), agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities.

Two types of project applications are accepted under the FMPP – capacity building projects and community development, training and technical assistance projects.

Capacity Building (CB) Projects are intended to assist applicants in the development, improvement, and expansion of domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, CSA programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. CB projects should demonstrate a direct benefit to farm and ranch operations serving local markets (including new and beginning farmers) and maximize the involvement of farmers and ranchers and community organizations. Projects can include, but are not limited to:

• Local farmer, rancher, or market manager training and education.

• Farmers market, roadside stand, CSA, or agritourism activity startup and/or expansion.

• Market analysis and planning for a direct producer-to-consumer market opportunity.

• Recruitment and outreach to new and beginning farmers and ranchers, as well as to consumers in support of direct producer-to-consumer markets.

Community Development, Training and Technical Assistance (CTA) Projects are intended to support applicants’ efforts to provide outreach, training, and technical assistance to farm and ranch operations serving local markets and other interested parties for developing, improving, and expanding domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, CSA programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. CTA projects should engage a diverse set of local and regional foods stakeholders, including farmers and ranchers, to illustrate a substantive effect on the local and regional food system and stakeholders. Projects can include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting statewide or regional farmer, rancher, or manager (i.e., farmers market manager) training and education in developing or maintaining their own direct producer-to-consumer enterprise.

• Assisting farmers and ranchers in advertising and promoting their locally and regionally produced agricultural 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-consumer market opportunities with corporate, non-profit, and public institutions.

• Providing technical support for small- and mid-sized producers to become compliant with local, state, Federal, and/or industry specifications and standards in order to increase their direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities.

Eligible Applicants Include:

• Agricultural businesses
• Agricultural cooperatives
• CSA networks
• CSA associations
• Economic development corporations
• Local governments
• Nonprofit corporations
• Producer networks
• Producer associations
• Public benefit corporation
• Regional farmers’ market authorities
• Tribal governments

Funding Levels: CB projects grant awards range from $50,000 to $250,000. CTA grant awards range from $250,000 to $500,000. Approximately $13.4 million will be available to fund applications.

Match: FMPP does not require a cost-share match.

The grant is due May 7, 2018 with funding available beginning September 30, 2018.

The full Request for Applications can be found here.

For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison's assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764.