§ 1943.104 - Definitions.

For the purpose of the Small Farmer Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Program, the following definitions are applicable:

Agricultural programs. Eligible programs shall include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following programs: Agricultural conservation program, programs comprising the environmental conservation acreage reserve program (ECARP), conservation technical assistance program, emergency conservation program, forestry incentives program, Great Plains Conservation Program, integrated farm management option program, price support and production adjustment programs, rural environmental conservation program, soil survey program, and water bank program; also the farm loan programs (farm ownership, operating, soil and water, and emergency loans) of the FSA.

Awarding official. The Administrator of the FSA or designee.

Community-based organization. Those nonprofit, nongovernment organizations with a well defined constituency that includes all or part of a particular community, e.g., communities consisting of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers must play a role in the development and implementation of any program or project undertaken by the organization.

Cooperative agreement. The same meaning as grant, except that, at the time a cooperative agreement is awarded, substantial involvement is anticipated between FSA, acting for the Federal Government, and the recipient during performance under the agreement. (Refer to exhibit A of FmHA Instruction 1943-C (available in any State office).)

Grant. For purposes of this regulation, an award by FSA, acting for the Federal Government, of money to the recipient with the following characteristics:

(1) The principal purpose of the award is to accomplish a public purpose authorized by statute, rather than acquisition, by purchase, lease, or barter, of property or services for the direct benefit or use of the Federal Government; and

(2) At the time an award is made, no substantial involvement is anticipated between FSA, acting for the Federal Government, and the recipient.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). For purposes of this regulation, a documented plan between FSA and the recipient or recipients for carrying out their separate activities in a project of mutual interest. When an understanding is reached as to the area of operations and duties to be performed by the parties concerned, each party directs its own activities and utilizes its own resources. An MOU is not a fund obligation document since it does not directly involve a financial assistance transaction.

Project. The total activities within the scope of the program as identified in the MOU, grant, cooperative or other agreement.

Project Director. The individual who is responsible for the project, as designated by the recipient in the project proposal and approved by the awarding official. The project director will devote full time to the administration of the project.

Project period. The total time approved by the awarding official for conducting the proposed project as outlined in an approved project proposal or the approved portions thereof and as specified in the cooperative or other agreement.

Recipient. For purposes of this subpart, an entity as defined in § 1943.105 of this subpart that has entered into an MOU, grant, or cooperative or other agreement with FSA.

Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher. A farmer or rancher who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group. (For entity applicants, the majority interest has to be held by socially disadvantaged individuals.)

Socially disadvantaged group. A group whose members have been subject to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities. Socially disadvantaged groups consist of Women, African-Americans, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asians, and Pacific Islanders.