State Mediation Grants

 

To assist States in establishing and administering mediation programs and services for agricultural producers, creditors of producers, (as applicable) and persons involved in an issue for which mediation services are provided by a State-Certified mediation program.

Active 10.435 Farm Service Agency, Department of Agriculture B - Project Grants Not applicable. Agricultural Credit Act of 1987, Title V, Part 785, Public Law -100-233
Establishes guidelines for State farm loan mediation programs. Enumerates criteria to be met by a State in order to qualify for the matching grant program instituted in this title. Section 501 of Title V of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 510), as amended. The Governor, or head of a State agency designated by the Governor, must certify in writing to the FSA Administrator that the State's mediation program meets the program requirements. Agricultural producers, creditors of producers (as applicable) and persons directly affected by actions of the USDA, and any other persons involved in an issue for which mediation services are provided by a State-Certified mediation program. A State mediation program must be certified by the Administrator of FSA. The program must provide evidence to justify the estimated costs of operating and administering the State's mediation program. The Governor of a State or head of an entity designated by the Governor of a State must make a written request to FSA. Preapplication coordination is required. To be a qualifying State as of the beginning of a fiscal year and to be eligible for grant funding as of the beginning of the fiscal year, the Governor of a State or head of a State agency designated by the Governor of a State must submit for certification and application for a grant on or before August 1 of the calendar year in which the fiscal year begins. FSA will accept requests for re-certification and for new certifications of State mediation programs after August 1 in each calendar year; however, such request will not be considered for grant funding until after March 1. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by 7 CFR part 3016, must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Application procedures for this program can be found in SS785.3 and SS785.4. The standard application forms are available on https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html FSA will consider the demand and use of mediation services (historical and projected); scope of services; service record of the State program, as evidenced by, number of inquiries, requests for and use of mediation services, number resulting in a signed agreement, timeliness, activities promoting awareness, historic use of program funds and material changes in the State program. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 30 to 60 days. Thirty days from receipt of a complete application package. The Administrator is authorized to withdraw certification of a State mediation program, terminate or suspend the grant to such program, require a return of unspent grant funds, a reimbursement of grant funds on account of expenditures that are not allowed, and may impose any other penalties or sanctions authorized by law. If a State is a qualifying State at the time its request is made, the written request need only describe the changes made in the program since the previous year's request, together with such documents and information as necessary concerning such changes, and a written certification that the remaining elements of the program will continue as described in the previous request. Certification by the Administrator, FSA, that mediation program meets the requirements of Section 501 (c) of Title V of the Agricultural Credit Act (Public Law 100-233) as amended; application meets requirements of 7 CFR 785.4. of the FSA regulations to be implemented. Grants will be used only to pay the allowable costs of operation and administration of the components of a qualifying State’s mediation program. Costs of services other than mediation services to covered persons within the State are not considered part of the cost of operation and administration of the mediation program. Not applicable. Not applicable. The regulations in 2 CFR 200.333 through 200.337 provide general record retention and access requirements for records pertaining to grants. In addition, the State must maintain and provide the Government access to pertinent records regarding services delivered by the certified State mediation program for purposes of evaluation, audit and monitoring of the certified State mediation program. Statutory Formula: Certified State programs receiving grant funds are encouraged to obligate award funds within the Federal fiscal year of the award. A State, may, however, carry forward any funds undisbursed to its certified State mediation program that remain unobligated at the end of the fiscal year of award for use in the next fiscal year from costs resulting from obligations in the subsequent funding period.

Matching is mandatory. A grant award shall not exceed 70 percent of the budgeted allowable costs of operation and administration of the certified State mediation program. In no case will the sum granted to a State exceed $500,000 per fiscal year.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Grant will be awarded on an annual basis and will run concurrently with the Federal Government’s fiscal year. Grant funds will be paid in advance, in installments throughout the Federal fiscal year as requested by a State certified mediation program and approved by FSA. Payment of grant funds will be by electronic funds transfer to the designated account of each certified State program. Program is administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Programs Courtney Dixon
1400 Independence Avenue. SW
Stop 0523
Washington, DC 20250-0523 US
courtney.dixon@wdc.usda.gov
Phone: 202-720-1360 https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/2018/agricultural_mediation_program_jan2018.pdf 12-0170-0-1-351 (Project Grants) FY 18$3,904,000.00; FY 19 est $3,904,000.00; FY 20 est $3,228,000.00; FY 17$3,904,000.00; FY 16$3,000,000.00; - Not applicable/available. 7 CFR Part 785, published on September 10, 2002, unless otherwise noted. Not applicable.