| WASHINGTON July 27,
2004—Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced
27 matching grants totaling $1,338,000 to 23 states to support agricultural
market research and demonstration projects. The grants, provided under
the Federal State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP), will be used
to explore new and innovative approaches to marketing U.S. food and agricultural
products and improve the efficiency and performance of the marketing system.
USDA awarded the following grants:
Alabama $68,200 to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries,
in cooperation with Auburn University, to analyze the market for biomass
derived from by products of agricultural and forestry production, evaluate
milling and transportation requirements for several raw by products, and
assess the market for biopower generated from biomass as an alternative
input for coal fired power plants in the state.
Alaska $46,000 to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division
of Agriculture, to expand the use of farmers markets as a direct marketing
outlet for Alaska growers.
Arkansas $68,000 to the Arkansas State Plant Board, in cooperation with
Winrock International, to assist newly formed vegetable cooperatives in
southeast Arkansas identify and pursue opportunities to sell produce in
commercial markets.
Connecticut $56,200 to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture,
in cooperation with the Hartford Food System, to develop a state wide
system to facilitate use of locally produced food in public schools.
Delaware $66,300 to the University of Delaware, on behalf of the Delaware
Agricultural Experiment Station, to study factors important to producers
and the poultry industry in adopting a genetically modified corn with
the environmental benefit of lowering phosphorus levels in chicken manure,
and to assess consumer acceptance and willingness to pay for products
derived from poultry raised on the genetically modified corn.
Florida $72,200 to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services to explore new marketing opportunities in three overseas markets
for a new sweet, early maturing grapefruit hybrid; and to assess prospects
for Florida growers to export orchids and other flowers to Singapore.
Georgia $103,100 to the University of Georgia, on behalf of the Georgia
Agricultural Experiment Station, in cooperation with the Georgia Cattlemen's
Association, to analyze production and economic data collected through
the Georgia Beef Challenge and use the results to assist Southeastern
cow calf producers improve the marketing of their cattle; and in cooperation
with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, to characterize the nutritional
and functional characteristics of a new lipogenase free soybean variety
and assess its market potential and acceptance to consumers.
Idaho $50,000 to the Idaho Department of Agriculture, in cooperation
with the Idaho Potato Commission and the Potato Growers of Idaho, to conduct
a national survey to assess the preferences and buying habits of consumers
of fresh potatoes.
Indiana $74,000 to the Indiana Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture,
in cooperation with Indiana Business Modernization and Technology Corporation
and the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen's Association, to enhance the competitiveness
of the Indiana wood furniture sector in domestic and international markets
through market research and collaborative development of individual and
industry wide marketing plans.
Kentucky $50,200 to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, in cooperation
with Kentucky State University, to research consumer acceptance, pricing
strategies, packaging options, handling needs and successful marketing
approaches relating to nontraditional items such as aquaculture products
and specialty meats sold through farmers markets to consumers and local
restaurants.
Michigan $52,000 to the Michigan Department of Agriculture, in cooperation
with Saginaw Valley State University and the Corn Marketing Program of
Michigan, to assess the economics of and marketing opportunities for creating
construction, automotive and aerospace products from agricultural residues
such as corn cobs and distiller's grain.
Minnesota $12,000 to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, in cooperation
with the Minnesota Grown Promotion Group, to address marketing challenges
faced by immigrant growers who sell their products at urban farmers markets.
Missouri $32,000 to the Curators of the University of Missouri on
behalf of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station to identify potential
markets in Puerto Rico for rice produced by Mid South growers, analyze
transportation requirements and assess price competitiveness of U.S. medium
grain rice shipped to Puerto Rico.
Nevada $19,100 to the Nevada Department of Agriculture, in cooperation
with the University of Nevada and the Nevada Association of Counties,
to survey Nevada growers and restaurants catering to the tourist trade,
and to explore ways to foster use of locally grown agricultural products.
New Hampshire $42,500 to the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture,
Markets and Food, in cooperation with Harvest New England Association,
Vermont Apple Marketing Board, Vermont Agency of Agriculture and others,
to analyze the market for fresh cut apple slices in New England markets,
and to assess factors such as price, processing, distribution and marketing
needs to successfully expand the market.
New Jersey $61,000 to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, in
cooperation with Rutgers University Cooperative Extension Service and
the Organic Aquaculture National Advisory Committee, to identify, evaluate
and quantify market opportunities for organically grown U.S. aquaculture
products.
New York $48,000 to the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets,
in cooperation with the Glynwood Center, to explore opportunities for
local producers to supply food and feed to New York City zoos and related
tourist facilities, and to address constraints and infrastructure challenges
to greater use of locally produced food at these venues.
North Dakota $70,000 to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture,
in cooperation with the National Cooperative Grocers Association and Cooperation
Works, to address distribution, promotion and merchandising issues faced
by producer and retail cooperatives in creating an effective regional
and national supply network, and to provide technical assistance to producer
cooperatives in several states to develop products and effective marketing
strategies to access the food cooperative market.
Oregon $52,000 to the Oregon Department of Agriculture to study and
document the flow of cargo along the western Pacific littoral to identify
the critical mass of cargo that can support weekly scheduled common carrier
containerized barge services as a way to increase efficiency in the transportation
system and improve the competitiveness of western U.S. agriculture in
world markets.
Pennsylvania $97,200 to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture,
in cooperation with Penn State Extension Service and the Food Trust, to
develop marketing training programs for dairy farmers interested in diversifying
their operations into non traditional crops as a way to enhance profitability;
and to the Pennsylvania State University, on behalf of the Pennsylvania
Agricultural Experiment Station and in cooperation with the Rodale Institute,
to survey producers, service industries, buyers and consumers about ways
to improve the usefulness and effectiveness of online marketing tools.
Tennessee $21,000 to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, in cooperation
with the University of Tennessee Extension Service, to assess opportunities
for Tennessee producers to supply locally produced products to immigrant
Hispanic populations in the state.
Vermont $57,000 to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets,
in cooperation with the Vermont Meat & Poultry Processors Association,
Inc., and the Departments of Agriculture and Extension Service personnel
of the New England states, to complete a comprehensive market analysis
for specialty meats produced in New England, and to provide technical
training to the region's producers and meat processors to further develop
the market for high value meat products.
Washington $120,000 to the Washington State
Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Potato Commissions
of Washington, Oregon and Idaho and the U.S. Potato Board, to provide
potato chip and snack food manufacturers in four Asian markets with technical
information about U.S. chipping potato varieties, storage and handling
requirements and innovative uses in processing; and, in cooperation with
Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association, to develop a set of uniform
quality standards for the production, harvesting, processing and packaging
of value added shellfish and to identify effective strategies to promote
and distribute their products.
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An electronic version of this document can be obtained via the World
Wide Web at:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/news/newsrel.htm
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