LAMP Applicant Webinars and Call for Grant Program Peer Reviewers

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will be hosting informational webinars for the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) grant programs announced on April 21, 2026.

These webinars will provide an overview of program requirements, eligibility, application components, and tips for submitting competitive applications. Participation is encouraged for both new and returning applicants.

Webinar dates, times and registration links are available on the AMS Grants Webinars webpage and listed below.

• Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) Applicant Webinar: Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET, Registration.
• Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) Applicant Webinar: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET, Registration.
• Regional Food Systems Partnership (RFSP) Applicant Webinar: Thursday, May 14, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET, Registration.

Each program will also host virtual office hours, with dates, times, and registration links available at the AMS Grants Webinars webpage.

Additionally, USDA is seeking subject matter experts to serve as peer reviewers to evaluate applications for at least six competitive AMS grant programs for the FY26 grant cycle.

Current Programs Seeking Peer Reviewers:

• Acer Access and Development Program(Acer)
• Farmers Market Promotion Program(FMPP)
• Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program(FSMIP)
• Local Food Promotion Program(LFPP)
• Regional Food System Partnerships(RFSP)
• Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP)

AMS grant peer reviewers should have knowledge or experience in agricultural systems, including but not limited to marketing, processing, distribution, and/or local and regional food systems. Producers and those with first-hand experience in food and farm businesses are encouraged to participate.

Reviewing applications will take approximately six weeks. Reviewers evaluate applications assigned to them independently; they then come together with other panel members virtually, discuss their findings as a team and finalize reviews and scoring. Non-federal reviewers will be compensated for their reviews.

New reviewers can register and select the program(s) they are interested in through the GrantSolutions- Reviewer Recruitment Module (RRM). More information can be found on the How to Become an Application Reviewer and Become a Grant Reviewer for USDA AMS webpages. Reviewers already registered in RMM must update their profile with current information. All interested reviewers must upload a current resume to RMM after completing the profiles.

The AMS Grants Division works to improve domestic and international opportunities for U.S. growers and producers. AMS works with a variety of organizations to support rural America and the nation's agricultural sector. For additional information visit the AMS Grants & Opportunities webpage.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.