Operation Weed and Seed is a comprehensive strategy to target neighborhoods around the country with the most serious crime problems and work toward reducing and preventing crime in those areas through a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach. In order to be eligible to compete for Federal Weed and Seed funding in the spring of 2005 through the Community Capacity Development Office, Office of Justice Programs, an application must be submitted for Official Recognition for the Weed and Seed strategy. The process involves submitting a Letter of Intent with the required information by August 31, 2004, so that the Community Capacity Development Office can provide an assessment. The new 2004 Letter of Intent requirements are explicated and include the addition of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Crime Report (UCR) data for the specific geographic site under consideration. The final OR application is due by October 15, 2004; an introduction to the 2004 OR guidelines and application is presented, followed by the 2004 Official Recognition guidelines and the 2004 application. Appendices include examples of Memorandum of Agreements, sources of neighborhood-level crime data, sample Weed and Seed strategies and benchmarks, and a description of a Weed and Seed Safe Haven. The Community Capacity Development Office will notify applicants of the status of their applications by the first quarter of 2005. The Official Recognition designation is valid for 5 calendar years. Appendix