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<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">There is a short turn-around, but if you have an idea in mind, this might be a great opportunity. Sheri</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">June</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> is a good month for local foods enthusiasts! Yesterday, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (a sister agency to USDA Rural Development) invited applications for their Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP). About $10 million in grants from $5,000 to $100,000 will be awarded to support the work of agricultural coops, nonprofits, and public bodies (including Tribes) that help farmers connect directly with consumers. <B>The deadline for FMPP applications is July 1, 2011.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></B></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">FMPP is not just for Farmers Markets!</SPAN></B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> FMPP grants can also support <B>roadside stands</B>, <B>Community Supported Agriculture</B>, <B>agritourism</B>, and <B>other direct producer-to-consumer infrastructure</B>. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">It is my understanding that the FMPP has not been a terribly oversubscribed program in the past, so if you have a qualifying project, your chances of success may be very good. And one very nice feature of FMPP is that <B>no matching funds are required</B> for FMPP eligibility. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">For more details on this program, you can read the official notice inviting applications here:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><A href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-06-01/pdf/2011-13483.pdf">http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-06-01/pdf/2011-13483.pdf</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">An application guide and other reference material is available here:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><A href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP">http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Please note that this is not a USDA Rural Development grant program, so Oregon-RD staff cannot answer your FMPP questions. Instead (and only after you read the guidance that’s online because there are only 5 staffers available to the whole country), direct your questions to AMS at 202-720-8317.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Jeff Deiss, Business & Cooperative Program Director<BR>USDA Rural Development, Oregon State Office<BR>1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Ste. 801, Portland, OR 97232-1274<BR>jeff.deiss@or.usda.gov; 503-414-3367 phone; 503-414-3394 fax<BR>Visit our web site, <A href="http://www.ruraloregon.biz/">http://www.ruralOregon.biz</A> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">For energy programs, <A href="http://energy.ruraloregon.biz/">http://energy.ruralOregon.biz</A></SPAN> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt"><A href="http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs061/1103691331227/archive/1104039071858.html">Click here to read and subscribe to our current Oregon Rural Developments Newsletter</A></SPAN></P>
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<DIV>Sheri Stuart, Coordinator</DIV>
<DIV>Oregon Main Street</DIV>
<DIV>725 Summer St., Suite C</DIV>
<DIV>Salem, OR 97301</DIV>
<DIV>503.986.0679</DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://www.oregon4biz.com/Grow-Your-Business/Business-services/Main-Street/">http://www.oregon4biz.com/Grow-Your-Business/Business-services/Main-Street/</A></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">This e-mail may contain information that is privileged or confidential.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If you are not the addressee or it appears from the context that you have received this e-mail in error, please advise me immediately by reply e-mail, keep the contents confidential, and immediately delete the message and any attachments from your system.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></o:p></BODY></HTML>