Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Farm Bill (10.170)

Program

10.170 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Farm Bill

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: Agricultural Marketing Service

Authorization

Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004, Section 101, 7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246).

Program Number

10.170

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To increase fruit, vegetable, and nut consumption and improve the competitiveness of United States specialty crop producers.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Projects must enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Funds under this program may be used to support horticulture, including turfgrass sod and herbal crops; horticulture is not eligible under 10.169. Use of funds will be monitored to ensure that funds are promoting specialty crops as defined under the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act of 2004.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

State department of agriculture, agency, commission, or department of a State government responsible for agriculture within the State. Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to receive grants under this program; they are not eligible under 10.169.

Beneficiary Eligibility

State department of agriculture, agency, commission, or department of a State government responsible for agriculture within the State.

Credentials/Documentation

A grant agreement is entered into between the Agricultural Marketing Service and the State department of agriculture that submits the application. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. The State department of agriculture submits SF-424 and a State plan identifying the lead agency charged with the responsibility of carrying out the plan and indicating how the grant funds will be utilized to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. In developing their plans, States must take into consideration the views of beginners and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and take steps to perform outreach to these groups. State plans should be developed through a competitive process in order to ensure maximum public input and benefit. The States should develop a transparent process of receiving and considering public comment. States are encouraged to submit grant plans that include multi-State and regional project proposals.

Award Procedure

Applications are reviewed by the Agricultural Marketing Service. Grantees are notified of the amount awarded by allotment letter. Grant payments are made by the electronic transfer system.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

90 to 180 days from the application deadline.

Appeals

No formal appeal procedure.

Renewals

Awards are for 3 years. Additional time to complete the project may be requested.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Funds are advanced in one lump sum. Applicants have up to 3 years to use the funds. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: As provided for in agreements.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

No program reports are required. As provided for in agreements. Annual performance reports are required. A final performance report and financial report are required within 90 days after the expiration date of the grant period. No expenditure reports are required. No performance monitoring is required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. The State is required to conduct an audit of the expenditures of specialty crop block grant funds. Not later than 30 days after completion of the audit, the State shall submit a copy of the audit results with an executive summary to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Records

The State shall retain financial and other records relating to the funds and these programs for a period of three years after expiration of the grant period or until final resolution of any audit findings or litigation claims relating to this program.

Program Accomplishments

Not Applicable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-2501-0-1-352.

Obligations

(Formula Grants) FY 08 $10,000,000; FY 09 est $49,000,000; FY 10 est $55,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

As provided for in applicable statutes.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Not Applicable.

Related Programs

10.169 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Trista Etzig 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Rm. 2077, Stop 0235, Washington, District of Columbia 20250 Email: trista.etzig@ams.usda.gov Phone: 2026904942

Web Site Address

None.

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.