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Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States
agricultural producers in certain, designated States that have been historically underserved with respect to crop insurance.
The States, collectively referred to as Targeted
- Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Program
- Partnership Agreements to Develop Non- Insurance Risk Management Tools for Producers (Farmers)
- Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education
- Commodity Partnerships for Small Agricultural Risk Management Education Sessions
Examples of Funded Projects
A complete listing of projects funded under this program is provided on the RMA web site, or may be obtained by contacting RMA Headquarters.
Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
A listing may be obtained from the RMA web site or RMA Headquarters.
Program Accomplishments
FY 2008 funds will provide direct crop insurance education training to approximately 20,000 agricultural producers and assist in raising risk management awareness to the larger agricultural community.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Entities receiving funding will use funds to (a) plan a local program of crop insurance education for agricultural producers, (b) develop and assemble instructional materials, (c) promote awareness for crop insurance and educational opportunities, (d) deliver crop insurance educational activities to agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals, and (e) document project activities.
Applicants may propose additional uses of funds that meet the objectives of the program.
RMA will be substantially involved in the management and direction of the project.
Indirect costs allowed for projects submitted under this program will be limited to ten percent of total direct costs of the cooperative agreement.
Funds may not be used to (a) plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building or facility including a processing facility; (b) purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment; (c) repair or maintain privately owned vehicles; (d) pay for the preparation of the partnership agreement application; (e) fund political activities; (f) purchase alcohol, food, beverage, or entertainment; (g) pay costs incurred prior to receiving a partnership agreement; or (g) fund any activity prohibited in 7 CFR Parts 3015 and 3019, as applicable.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture, universities, non-profit agricultural organizations, and other public or private organizations with the capacity to lead a local program of crop insurance education for farmers and ranchers in a Targeted State.
Individuals are eligible applicants.
Although an applicant may be eligible to compete for an award based on its status as an eligible entity, other factors may exclude an applicant from receiving federal assistance under this program (e.g.
debarment and suspension; a determination of non-performance on a prior contract, cooperative agreement, grant or partnership; a determination of a violation of applicable ethical standards).
Beneficiary Eligibility
The ultimate beneficiaries of this education program are agricultural producers in the Targeted States. Applicants receiving awards will ensure that such producers receive effective crop insurance education and information either directly or through agribusiness professionals that can impart crop insurance information to producers.
Credentials/Documentation
Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to deliver crop insurance education and information programs to producers in the written narratives and statements of work that accompany applications.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
No preapplication coordination with governmental or nongovernmental units is required prior to the submission of a formal application.
This program is excluded under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Eligible applicants must complete and submit a valid application to RMA Headquarters by the application deadline. Requirements for a complete application package and the application deadline are set forth in the Request for Applications. Eligible applicants will also be able to apply electronically using www.Grants.gov.
Award Procedures
Each application will be evaluated using a two-part process. First, each application will be screened by RMA personnel to ensure that it meets the requirements listed in the Request for Applications announcement. Second, a review panel will consider the merits of all applications that meet the requirements in the announcement. The panel will examine and score applications based on the evaluation criteria contained in the Request for Applications. Other review panel information is provided in the Request for Applications announcement. Following its review, the panel will report to the Manager of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) with a listing of the recommended applicants to receive cooperative agreements. The Manager of FCIC will make the final determination on applications that will be awarded funding.
Deadlines
The application due date is indicated in the Request for Applications notice and www.Grants.gov.
Authorization
Federal Crop Insurance Act, as amended. 7 U.S.C. 1524(a).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Generally about 120 days from the deadline listed in the Request for Applications.
Appeals
No provision is provided in this program for an appeal.
Renewals
No provision is provided in this program for a renewal.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The Request for Applications contains specifics on the limits of funding availability for individual projects. Although RMA prefers matching funds, this program has no matching requirement.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Funding will normally be available for projects that will begin in July through September and will continue for up to one year.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Quarterly performance reports are required which document project progress.
In addition, a comprehensive final report is required which documents all educational activity conducted within the partnership project.
Audits
Recipients are subject to audit by the Office of the Inspector General, USDA, as set forth in OMB Circular No. A-133, or in Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Records
The recipient will maintain at its place of business all records required by the cooperative agreement and the respective OMB Circulars.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-4085-0-3-351.
Obigations
FY 07 $4,482,217; FY 08 est $4,500,000; and FY 09 est $4,500,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$157,000 to $754,000 as announced in the Request for Applications.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
This program is announced as a Request for Applications in the Federal Register, www.Grants.gov and the RMA web site, along with specific information on obtaining an application package.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
RMA has three Regional Offices serving potential applicants for the fifteen Targeted States. A listing may be obtained from the RMA web site or RMA Headquarters.
Headquarters Office
Risk Management Agency, Risk Management Education Division, Department of Agriculture, Stop 0808, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-0808. Telephone: (202) 720-5265. E-mail: rma.risk-ed@rma.usda.gov.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Criteria used by the application review panel for recommending awards are listed in the Request for Applications.
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