E9-12094. Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program-Farm Bill (SCBGP-FB)

AGENCY:

Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the availability of approximately $49,000,000 in grant funds, less USDA administrative costs, to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. SCBGP-FB funds are authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the Farm Bill). State departments of agriculture are encouraged to develop their grant applications promptly. The Farm Bill requires USDA to obligate the grant funds under this program by the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2009, which necessitates a short application period. State departments of agriculture interested in obtaining grant program funds are invited to submit applications to USDA. State departments of agriculture, meaning agencies, commissions, or departments of a State government responsible for agriculture within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to apply.

DATES:

Applications must be received between May 22, 2009 and not later than August 26, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Applications may be sent to: SCBGP, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0235, Room 2077 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-0235.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Trista Etzig, Phone: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail] or your State department of agriculture listed on the SCBGP and SCBGP-FB Web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov/​fv/​.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

SCBGP-FB is authorized under Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note) and amended under Section 10109 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110-246 (the Farm Bill). SCBGP-FB is currently implemented under 7 CFR part 1291 (published March 27, 2009; 74 FR 13313).

The SCBGP-FB assists State departments of agriculture in solely enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture, nursery crops (including floriculture). AMS encourages States to develop projects solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops pertaining to the following issues affecting the specialty crop industry: Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops; participation of industry representatives at meetings of international standard setting bodies in which the U.S. government participates; improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems; assisting all entities in the specialty crop distribution chain in developing “Good Agricultural Practices”, “Good Handling Practices”, “Good Manufacturing Practices”, and in cost-share arrangements for funding audits of such systems for small farmers, packers and processors; investing in specialty crop research, including organic research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes; enhancing food safety; developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops; pest and disease control; and sustainability. Projects that support biobased products and bioenergy and energy programs, including biofuels and other alternative uses for agricultural and forestry commodities (development of biobased products) should see the USDA energy Web site at: http://www.usda.gov/​rus/​index2/​0208/​EnergyPrograms.htm for information on how to submit those projects for consideration to the energy programs supported by USDA. Also, agricultural cooperatives, producer networks, producer associations, local governments, nonprofit corporations, public health corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers' market authorities and tribal governments that are interested in submitting projects that support farmers' markets that do not solely enhance the competitiveness of eligible specialty crops should visit the Farmers' Market Promotion Program (FMPP) Web site at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/​fmpp for information on how to submit those projects for consideration to FMPP. Each interested State department of agriculture must submit an application for SCBGP-FB grant funds anytime between May 22, 2009 and on or before August 26, 2009, to the USDA contact noted in the For Further Information section. AMS will work with each State department of agriculture and provide assistance as necessary.

Other organizations interested in participating in this program should contact their local State department of agriculture. State departments of agriculture specifically named under the authorizing legislation should assume the lead role in SCBGP-FB projects, and use cooperative or contractual linkages with other agencies, universities, institutions, and producer, industry or community-based organizations as appropriate.

Additional details about the SCBGP-FB application process for all applicants are available at the SCBGP-FB Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/​fv/​.

To be eligible for a grant, each State department of agriculture's application shall be clear and succinct and include the following documentation satisfactory to AMS:

(a) One SF-424 “Application for Federal Assistance”.

(b) SF-424A “Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs” showing the budget for each project.

(c) One SF-424B “Assurances—Non-Construction Program”

(d) Completed applications must also include one State plan to show how grant funds will be utilized solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. The State plan shall include the following:

(1) Cover page and granting processes. Include the point of contact and lead agency for administering the plan. Provide a description of the affirmative steps taken to conduct outreach to socially disadvantaged farmers and beginning farmers. Describe how these groups were identified and the methods used to reach out to them. Identify if an award was made to either a socially disadvantaged farmer or a beginning farmer. If steps were not taken to conduct outreach to these groups, provide a justification for why not. Provide a description of the affirmative steps taken to conduct a competitive grant process. Include the steps taken to conduct outreach to specialty crop stakeholders to receive and consider public comment to identify their priority needs in enhancing the competiveness of specialty crops. Identify the methods used to solicit proposals that meet specialty crop stakeholders' needs, including any focus on multi-state projects. Include a description of the process used to review proposals in a fair and equitable manner. State departments of agriculture may also provide a copy of the issued request for proposals. If a competitive grant process was not used, provide a justification why not.

(2) Project title and abstract. Include the title of the project and an abstract of 200 or fewer words for each project.

(3) Project purpose. For each project, clearly state the purpose of the project. Describe the specific issue, problem, interest, or need to be addressed. Explain why the project is important and timely. If funding is being directed at a State marketing program, describe how the State will ensure that funding is being used solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops as defined in 7 CFR 1291.2(n). If a project builds on a previous Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) or SCBGP-FB project, indicate clearly how the new project compliments previous work. For each project, indicate if the project will be or has been submitted to or funded by another Federal or State grant program.

(4) Potential impact. Discuss the number of people or operations affected, the intended beneficiaries of each project, and/or potential economic impact if such data are available and relevant to the project.

(5) Expected Measurable Outcomes. For each project, describe at least one distinct, quantifiable, and measurable outcome-oriented objective that directly and meaningfully supports the project's purpose. The measurable outcome-oriented objective must define an event or condition that is external to the project and that is of direct importance to the intended beneficiaries and/or the public. Outcome measures may be long term that exceed the grant period. Describe how performance toward meeting outcomes will be monitored. For each project, include a performance-monitoring plan to describe the process of collecting and analyzing data to meet the outcome-oriented objectives.

(6) Work Plan. For each project, explain briefly the activities that will be performed to accomplish the objectives of the project. Be clear about who will do the work. Include appropriate time lines.

(7) Budget Narrative. Provide in sufficient detail information about the budget categories listed on SF-424A for each project to demonstrate that grant funds are being expended on eligible grant activities that meet the purpose of the program. Indirect costs for this grant period should not exceed 10 percent of any proposed budget. Provide a justification if administrative costs are higher than 10 percent.

(8) Project Oversight. Describe the oversight practices that provide sufficient knowledge of grant activities to ensure proper and efficient administration for each project.

(9) Project Commitment. Describe how all grant partners commit to and work toward the goals and outcome measures of each proposed project(s).

(10) Multi-State Projects. If the project is a multi-state project, describe how the States are going to collaborate effectively with related projects with one State assuming the coordinating role. Indicate the percent of the budget covered by each State.

Each State department of agriculture that submits an application that is reviewed and approved by AMS is to receive a base grant of $162,240.00 to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. In addition, AMS will allocate the remainder of the grant funds based on the proportion of the value of specialty crop production in the State in relation to the national value of specialty crop production using the latest available (2007 National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) cash receipt data for the 50 States, 2006-2007 “Gross Income from Puerto Rico's Agricultural Products” statement for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 2002 Census of Agriculture cash receipts for Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) specialty crop production data in all States whose applications are accepted.

The amount of the base grant plus value of production available to each State department of agriculture shall be:

(1) Alabama	$440,780.61
(2) Alaska	176,642.72
(3) American Samoa	195,567.84
(4) Arizona	1,106,440.85
(5) Arkansas	219,606.24
(6) California	16,188,340.37
(7) Colorado	625,770.15
(8) Connecticut	376,123.29
(9) Delaware	225,990.32
(10) District of Columbia	162,240.00
(11) Florida	4,069,642.85
(12) Georgia	1,010,640.49
(13) Guam	164,691.85
(14) Hawaii	377,026.79
(15) Idaho	876,435.46
(16) Illinois	435,142.33
(17) Indiana	380,572.10
(18) Iowa	242,767.08
(19) Kansas	213,648.34
(20) Kentucky	236,997.73
(21) Louisiana	337,593.15
(22) Maine	380,710.88
(23) Maryland	500,623.24
(24) Massachusetts	388,680.46
(25) Michigan	1,222,034.08
(26) Minnesota	574,739.62
(27) Mississippi	267,542.17
(28) Missouri	268,886.55
(29) Montana	248,694.85
(30) Nebraska	284,484.36
(31) Nevada	201,307.05
(32) New Hampshire	228,792.64
(33) New Jersey	652,724.43
(34) New Mexico	378,865.33
(35) New York	1,091,447.25
(36) North Carolina	1,085,174.62
(37) North Dakota	520,675.46
(38) Northern Mariana Islands	163,404.95
(39) Ohio	804,113.47
(40) Oklahoma	332,160.94
(41) Oregon	1,661,822.32
(42) Pennsylvania	932,679.52
(43) Puerto Rico	362,375.24
(44) Rhode Island	202,474.10
(45) South Carolina	400,573.84
(46) South Dakota	185,625.84
(47) Tennessee	453,315.35
(48) Texas	1,753,538.35
(49) Utah	236,132.78
(50) Vermont	203,959.37
(51) Virgin Islands	163,162.42
(52) Virginia	453,639.88
(53) Washington	2,899,167.66
(54) West Virginia	184,486.83
(55) Wisconsin	740,776.70
(56) Wyoming	180,546.90

Funds not obligated will be allocated pro rata to the remaining States which applied during the specified grant application period to be solely expended on projects previously approved in their State plan. In such event, a revised application shall be submitted, by a date before the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2009, determined by AMS, showing how the additional funds will be utilized to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.

AMS encourages applicants to submit SCBGP-FB applications electronically through the central Federal grants Web site, http://www.grants.gov instead of mailing hard copy documents. Original signatures are not needed on the SF-424 and SF-424B when applying through http://www.grants.gov and applicants are not required to submit any paper documents to AMS. Applicants considering the electronic application option are strongly urged to familiarize themselves with the Federal grants Web site and begin the application process well before the application deadline. For information on how to apply electronically, please consult http://www.grants.gov/​GetRegistered.

Applicants submitting hard copy applications should submit one copy of the application package. The SF-424 must be signed (with an original signature) by an official who has authority to apply for Federal assistance. Hard copy applications should be sent only via express mail to AMS at the address noted at the beginning of this notice because USPS mail sent to Washington, DC headquarters is sanitized, resulting in possible delays, loss, and physical damage to enclosures. AMS will send an email confirmation when applications arrive at the AMS office.

Applicants who submit hard copy applications are also encouraged to submit electronic versions of their application directly to AMS via email addressed to [e-mail] in one of the following formats: Word (*.doc); or Adobe Acrobat (*.pdf). Alternatively, a standard 3.5” HD diskette or a CD may be enclosed with the hard copy application.

SCBGP-FB is listed in the “Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance” under number 10.170 and subject agencies must adhere to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination in all Federally assisted programs.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621 note.

Dated: May 20, 2009.

Robert C. Keeney,

Acting Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.