FYI-

Priorities for 2009 include:

• New EBT Start-Up -- Projects that develop new electronic benefit 
transfers
(EBT) programs to support the use of EBT for Federal nutrition programs at
farmers’ markets.

• “Growing Farmers” - Projects that develop training and educational 
programs for
new direct farm marketers on the benefits, challenges, and logistics of 
agricultural
direct marketing in a given region. Such projects could develop new 
programs
focused on small business development, marketing techniques, identifying 
market
opportunities, or mentoring programs for women, minorities, immigrant,
transitioning, and new farmers in that State or region. Such projects 
should focus
on the recruitment and retention of new farmers to participate at 
farmers markets
and other direct-to-consumer farm marketing outlets.

• Professional Development - Projects that 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.