Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP), 74685-74687 [E8-29044]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 9, 2008 / Notices Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250– 7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720–8958. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service Title: CSREES Proposal Review Process. OMB Control Number: 0524–0041. Summary of Collection: The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) is responsible for performing a review of proposals submitted to CSREES competitive awards programs in accordance with section 103(a) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act, of 1998, 7 U.S.C. 7613(a). Reviews are undertaken to ensure that projects supported by CSREES are of high quality and are consistent with the goals and requirements of the funding program. Proposals submitted to CSREES undergo a programmatic evaluation to determine worthiness of Federal support. The evaluations consist of a peer panel review and may also entail an assessment by Federal employees. CSREES will collect information using the ‘‘Proposal Review Sheet’’ or the ‘‘Reviewer Worksheet’’, and a Reviewer Questionnaire. Need and Use of the Information: The collected information from the evaluations is used to support CSREES grant programs. CSREES uses the results of each proposal to determine whether a proposal should be declined or recommended for award. If this information is not collected, it would be difficult for a review panel and CSREES staff to determine which projects warrant funding, or identify appropriate qualified reviewers. In addition, Federal grants staff and auditors could not assess the quality or integrity of the review, and the writer of the application would not benefit from any feedback on why the application was funded or not. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:00 Dec 08, 2008 Jkt 217001 Description of Respondents: Not-forprofit institutions; Business or other forprofit; Individuals or households; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government; Farms. Number of Respondents: 12,600. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Annually. Total Burden Hours: 78,650. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E8–29092 Filed 12–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–09–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request December 4, 2008. The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Comments regarding (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Pamela_Beverly_OIRA_ Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250– 7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720–8681. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 74685 displays a currently valid OMB control number. Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration Title: Export Inspection and Weighing Waiver for High Quality Specialty Grains Transported in Containers. OMB Control Number: 0580–0022. Summary of Collection: The United States Grain Standards Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 71–87) (USGSA), with few exceptions, requires that all grain shipped from the United States must be officially inspected and weighed. The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) amended section 7 CFR 800.18 of the regulations to waive the mandatory inspection and weighing requirements of the USGSA for high quality specialty grain exported in containers. GIPSA established this waiver to facilitate the marketing of high quality specialty grain exported in containers. Need and Use of the Information: To comply with the waiver of the mandatory inspection and weighing requirements, GIPSA requires exporters of high quality specialty grain to maintain records generated during the normal course of business that pertain to these shipments and make these documents available to GIPSA upon request for review or copying purposes. These records are maintained for a period of 3 years. This requirement is essential to ensure exporters of high quality specialty grain in containers comply with the waiver requirements. Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit. Number of Respondents: 40. Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping. Total Burden Hours: 240. Charlene Parker, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E8–29094 Filed 12–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–KD–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. No. AMS–TM–08–0092; TM–08–15] Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the FederalState Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the E:\FR\FM\09DEN1.SGM 09DEN1 74686 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 9, 2008 / Notices availability of approximately $1.3 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year 2009, subject to final appropriation action by Congress, which would enable States to explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the U.S. marketing system. Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture, State agricultural experiment stations, and other appropriate State Agencies. Applicants are encouraged to involve industry groups, academia, communitybased organizations, and other stakeholders in developing proposals and conducting projects. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the information collection requirements have been previously approved by OMB under 0581–0240, Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP). DATES: Proposals will be accepted through February 11, 2009. ADDRESSES: Submit proposals and other required documents to: FSMIP Staff Officer, Transportation and Marketing Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 2646 South Building, Washington, DC 20250; telephone (202) 720–8043; e-mail janise.zygmont@usda.gov. pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janise Zygmont, FSMIP Staff Officer; telephone (202) 720–8043; fax (202) 690–4948; or e-mail janise.zygmont@usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FSMIP is authorized under Section 204(b) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.). FSMIP provides matching grants on a competitive basis to enable States to explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the U.S. marketing system. Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture, State agricultural experiment stations, and other appropriate State Agencies. Other organizations interested in participating in this program should contact their State Department of Agriculture’s Marketing Division. State agencies specifically named under the authorizing legislation should assume the lead role in FSMIP projects, and use cooperative or contractual linkages with other agencies, universities, institutions, and producer, industry or community- VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:00 Dec 08, 2008 Jkt 217001 based organizations as appropriate. Multi-State projects are encouraged as long as one State assumes the coordinating role, using appropriate cooperative arrangements with the other States involved. Applicants other than State Departments of Agriculture and State agricultural experiment stations may wish to include with their applications an explanation of how they meet the definition of ‘‘other appropriate State agency.’’ Proposals must be accompanied by completed Standard Forms (SF) 424 and 424A. AMS will not approve the use of FSMIP funds for advertising or, with limited exceptions, for the purchase of equipment. Detailed program guidelines may be obtained from the contact listed above, and are available at the FSMIP Web site: https://www.ams.usda.gov/ FSMIP. Background FSMIP funds a wide range of applied research projects that address barriers, challenges, and opportunities in marketing, transportation, and distribution of U.S. food and agricultural products domestically and internationally. Eligible agricultural categories include livestock, livestock products, food and feed crops, fish and shellfish, horticulture, viticulture, apiary, and forest products and processed or manufactured products derived from such commodities. Reflecting the growing diversity of U.S. agriculture, in recent years, FSMIP has funded projects dealing with nutraceuticals, bioenergy, compost, and products made from agricultural residues. Proposals may deal with barriers, challenges, or opportunities manifesting at any stage of the marketing chain including direct, wholesale, and retail. Proposals may involve small, medium, or large scale agricultural entities but should potentially benefit multiple producers or agribusinesses. Proprietary proposals that benefit one business or individual will not be considered. Proposals that address issues of importance at the State, regional or national level are appropriate for FSMIP. FSMIP also seeks unique proposals on a smaller scale that may serve as pilot projects or case studies useful as a model for other States. Of particular interest are proposals that reflect a collaborative approach among the States, academia, the farm sector and other appropriate entities and stakeholders. FSMIP’s enabling legislation authorizes projects to: • Determine the best methods for processing, preparing for market, packing, handling, transporting, storing, PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 distributing, and marketing agricultural products. • Determine the costs of marketing agricultural products in their various forms and through various channels. • Assist in the development of more efficient marketing methods, practices, and facilities to bring about more efficient and orderly marketing, and reduce the price spread between the producer and the consumer. • Develop and improve standards of quality, condition, quantity, grade, and packaging in order to encourage uniformity and consistency in commercial practices. • Eliminate artificial barriers to the free movement of agricultural products in commercial channels. • Foster new/expanded domestic/ foreign markets and new/expanded uses of agricultural products. • Collect and disseminate marketing information to anticipate and meet consumer requirements, maintain farm income, and balance production and utilization. Paperwork Reduction Act In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the FSMIP information collection requirements were previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and were assigned OMB control number 0581–0240. AMS is committed to compliance with the Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA), which requires Government agencies in general to provide the public with the option of submitted information or transacting business electronically to the maximum extent possible. How To Submit Proposals and Applications Applicants have the option of submitting FSMIP applications electronically through the Federal grants Web site, https://www.grants.gov instead of mailing hard copy documents. Applicants considering the electronic application option are strongly urged to familiarize themselves with the Federal grants Web site well before the application deadline and to begin the application process before the deadline. Additional details about the FSMIP application process for all applicants are available at the FSMIP Web site: https://www.ams.usda.gov/FSMIP. FSMIP is listed in the ‘‘Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance’’ under number 10.156 and subject agencies must adhere to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination in all Federally assisted programs. E:\FR\FM\09DEN1.SGM 09DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 9, 2008 / Notices Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Dated: December 3, 2008. James E. Link, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. E8–29044 Filed 12–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2008–0133] Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; PPQ Form 816; Contract Pilot and Aircraft Acceptance pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Extension of approval of an information collection; comment request. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection for contract pilot and aircraft acceptance associated with Plant Protection and Quarantine domestic, emergency, and biological control programs. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before February 9, 2009. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/ component/ main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS– 2008–0133 to submit or view comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send two copies of your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2008–0133, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS– 2008–0133. Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 690–2817 before coming. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:00 Dec 08, 2008 Jkt 217001 Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at https://www.aphis.usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on contract pilot and aircraft acceptance, contact Mr. Timothy Roland, Director, Aircraft and Equipment Operations, PPQ, APHIS, 22675 N. Moorefield Road, Edinburg, TX 78541; (956) 580–7270. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS’ Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851– 2908. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: PPQ Form 816; Contract Pilot and Aircraft Acceptance. OMB Number: 0579–0298. Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: The Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, either independently or in cooperation with States, to carry out operations or measures to detect, eradicate, suppress, control, prevent, or retard the spread of plant pests and noxious weeds that are new to or not widely distributed within the United States. This authority has been delegated to the Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). As part of this mission, the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program, APHIS, responds to introductions of plant pests to eradicate, suppress, or contain them though various programs in cooperation with State departments of agriculture and other government agencies. These programs may include release through aerial application of treatments to control plant pests. APHIS contracts for these services, and prior to any aerial applications, requests certain information from the contractor and/or contract pilots to ensure that the work will be done according to contract specifications. Among other things, APHIS asks to see aircraft registration, the aircraft’s airworthiness certificate, the pilot’s license, the pilot’s medical certification, the pilot’s proof of flight review, the pilot’s pesticide applicator’s license, and the aircraft logbook. APHIS transfers information from these documents to PPQ Form 816, which is then signed by the APHIS official collecting the information and the contractor or contract pilot, indicating acceptance of the pilot and aircraft for the job. We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 74687 approve our use of this information collection activity for an additional 3 years. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. These comments will help us: (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.25 hours per response. Respondents: Contractors and/or pilots of aircraft. Estimated annual number of respondents: 15. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1. Estimated annual number of responses: 15. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 4 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.) All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Done in Washington, DC, this 3rd day of December 2008. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E8–29084 Filed 12–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Emergency Food Assistance Program; Availability of Foods for Fiscal Year 2009 AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. E:\FR\FM\09DEN1.SGM 09DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 9, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74685-74687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29044]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-TM-08-0092; TM-08-15]


Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the 
Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP)

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the

[[Page 74686]]

availability of approximately $1.3 million in competitive grant funds 
for fiscal year 2009, subject to final appropriation action by 
Congress, which would enable States to explore new market opportunities 
for U.S. food and agricultural products and to encourage research and 
innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the 
U.S. marketing system. Eligible applicants include State departments of 
agriculture, State agricultural experiment stations, and other 
appropriate State Agencies. Applicants are encouraged to involve 
industry groups, academia, community-based organizations, and other 
stakeholders in developing proposals and conducting projects. In 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the information 
collection requirements have been previously approved by OMB under 
0581-0240, Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP).

DATES: Proposals will be accepted through February 11, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Submit proposals and other required documents to: FSMIP 
Staff Officer, Transportation and Marketing Programs, Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 2646 South Building, Washington, DC 
20250; telephone (202) 720-8043; e-mail janise.zygmont@usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janise Zygmont, FSMIP Staff Officer; 
telephone (202) 720-8043; fax (202) 690-4948; or e-mail 
janise.zygmont@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FSMIP is authorized under Section 204(b) of 
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.). FSMIP 
provides matching grants on a competitive basis to enable States to 
explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural 
products and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving 
the efficiency and performance of the U.S. marketing system. Eligible 
applicants include State departments of agriculture, State agricultural 
experiment stations, and other appropriate State Agencies. Other 
organizations interested in participating in this program should 
contact their State Department of Agriculture's Marketing Division. 
State agencies specifically named under the authorizing legislation 
should assume the lead role in FSMIP projects, and use cooperative or 
contractual linkages with other agencies, universities, institutions, 
and producer, industry or community-based organizations as appropriate. 
Multi-State projects are encouraged as long as one State assumes the 
coordinating role, using appropriate cooperative arrangements with the 
other States involved. Applicants other than State Departments of 
Agriculture and State agricultural experiment stations may wish to 
include with their applications an explanation of how they meet the 
definition of ``other appropriate State agency.''
    Proposals must be accompanied by completed Standard Forms (SF) 424 
and 424A. AMS will not approve the use of FSMIP funds for advertising 
or, with limited exceptions, for the purchase of equipment. Detailed 
program guidelines may be obtained from the contact listed above, and 
are available at the FSMIP Web site: https://www.ams.usda.gov/FSMIP.

Background

    FSMIP funds a wide range of applied research projects that address 
barriers, challenges, and opportunities in marketing, transportation, 
and distribution of U.S. food and agricultural products domestically 
and internationally.
    Eligible agricultural categories include livestock, livestock 
products, food and feed crops, fish and shellfish, horticulture, 
viticulture, apiary, and forest products and processed or manufactured 
products derived from such commodities. Reflecting the growing 
diversity of U.S. agriculture, in recent years, FSMIP has funded 
projects dealing with nutraceuticals, bioenergy, compost, and products 
made from agricultural residues.
    Proposals may deal with barriers, challenges, or opportunities 
manifesting at any stage of the marketing chain including direct, 
wholesale, and retail. Proposals may involve small, medium, or large 
scale agricultural entities but should potentially benefit multiple 
producers or agribusinesses. Proprietary proposals that benefit one 
business or individual will not be considered.
    Proposals that address issues of importance at the State, regional 
or national level are appropriate for FSMIP. FSMIP also seeks unique 
proposals on a smaller scale that may serve as pilot projects or case 
studies useful as a model for other States. Of particular interest are 
proposals that reflect a collaborative approach among the States, 
academia, the farm sector and other appropriate entities and 
stakeholders. FSMIP's enabling legislation authorizes projects to:
     Determine the best methods for processing, preparing for 
market, packing, handling, transporting, storing, distributing, and 
marketing agricultural products.
     Determine the costs of marketing agricultural products in 
their various forms and through various channels.
     Assist in the development of more efficient marketing 
methods, practices, and facilities to bring about more efficient and 
orderly marketing, and reduce the price spread between the producer and 
the consumer.
     Develop and improve standards of quality, condition, 
quantity, grade, and packaging in order to encourage uniformity and 
consistency in commercial practices.
     Eliminate artificial barriers to the free movement of 
agricultural products in commercial channels.
     Foster new/expanded domestic/foreign markets and new/
expanded uses of agricultural products.
     Collect and disseminate marketing information to 
anticipate and meet consumer requirements, maintain farm income, and 
balance production and utilization.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the FSMIP 
information collection requirements were previously approved by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and were assigned OMB control 
number 0581-0240.
    AMS is committed to compliance with the Government Paperwork 
Elimination Act (GPEA), which requires Government agencies in general 
to provide the public with the option of submitted information or 
transacting business electronically to the maximum extent possible.

How To Submit Proposals and Applications

    Applicants have the option of submitting FSMIP applications 
electronically through the Federal grants Web site, https://
www.grants.gov instead of mailing hard copy documents. Applicants 
considering the electronic application option are strongly urged to 
familiarize themselves with the Federal grants Web site well before the 
application deadline and to begin the application process before the 
deadline. Additional details about the FSMIP application process for 
all applicants are available at the FSMIP Web site: https://
www.ams.usda.gov/FSMIP.
    FSMIP is listed in the ``Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance'' 
under number 10.156 and subject agencies must adhere to Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination in all Federally 
assisted programs.


[[Page 74687]]


    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

    Dated: December 3, 2008.
James E. Link,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E8-29044 Filed 12-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

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