Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (10.169)

Program

10.169 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

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.

Program Number

10.169

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.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

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

Beneficiary Eligibility

Producers, processors, marketing agencies, universities, and general public.

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.

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 Formula: Title 7, Part 1290.

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 generally have 3 years to use the funds, but extensions may be granted. 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. Expenditure reports are not applicable. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

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 in accordance with Government Auditing Standards not later than 60 days after expiration of the grant period. 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 $8,422,000; FY 09 est $0; FY 10 est $0 - This program was not funded in FY 2009 and is not expected to be funded in FY 2010.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

N/A.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Not Applicable.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

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

Proposals are evaluated based on the potential for enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops.