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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Corbel","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Fyi …<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><b><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan
Announces Availability of <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><b><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>$5 Million in Funding for Farmers Market
Promotion Program</span></b><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>This year FMPP will
emphasize three priorities during the 2010 grant period: (1) focus on the
recruitment and retention of new farmers to participate at farmers markets and
other direct-to-consumer farm marketing outlets; (2) develop professional
expertise for farmers market managers, farmers/vendors, boards and
organizations to effectively manage and/or operate farmers markets and other
direct marketing enterprises; and (3) improve food access in local, rural and
underserved communities to promote the consumption of fresh fruits and
vegetables from local farms. <br>
<br>
Since AMS began tracking farmers markets in 1994, the number has grown by
nearly 4,000 nationwide. Currently, nearly 5,274 farmers markets operate
nationwide, up from 4,685 in 2008, an increase of 13 percent. AMS maintains a
comprehensive list of farmers markets, posted online at <a
href="http://www.ams.udsa.gov/farmersmarkets">www.ams.udsa.gov/farmersmarkets</a>.
<br>
<br>
AMS also has developed two new tools for prospective grant applicants. The FMPP
Pre-Application Guide for 2010 helps readers assess their readiness for the
grant application and implementation process. AMS has also captured its on-site
FMPP grant-writing training in a detailed PowerPoint presentation that provides
step-by-step instructions on how to fill out the application forms. You can
access both tools on the FMPP website at <a href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP">http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP</a>.
<br>
<br>
More information on the "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative
is available at <a href="http://www.usda.gov/KnowYourFarmer">http://www.usda.gov/KnowYourFarmer</a>.
<br>
<br>
Information on how to apply for a grant will be published in the <b>Mar. 1,
2010</b>, issue of the Federal Register and posted on the AMS website at <a
href="http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP">http://www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP</a>.
Applications and proposals must be received by AMS no later than the close of
business on </span><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:red'>April 15, 2010</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>. Applications received after </span><b><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:red'>April
15, 2010</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:black'>, will not be considered. <br>
<br>
For more information, contact Carmen Humphrey, Program Manager, Farmers Market
Promotion Program, AMS, 1800 M Street, N.W., Room 3012-South Tower, Washington,
D.C. 20036; phone (202) 694-4000; fax (202) 694-5949. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:black'>First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign to end childhood
obesity within a generation was launched earlier this month. The campaign has
four primary tenets: helping parents make healthy family choices, serving
healthier food in schools, improving access to healthy, affordable food, and
increasing physical activity of kids. Already, the administration has announced
its plans to improve school meals, a financing initiative to reduce food
deserts, new research tools that detail local food environments and health
outcomes, including grocery store access and disease and obesity prevalence,
and a broad range of public/private partnerships to solve America's childhood
obesity epidemic. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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