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.
Not Applicable.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Entities receiving funding will use funds to (a) plan a local program of risk management education and outreach activities for agricultural producers, (b) develop and assemble instructional materials, (c) promote awareness for risk management and education opportunities, (d) deliver education activities to agricultural producers and agribusiness professional, (e) document project activities, (f) report activities and spending as directed by RMA, and (g) measure the results of the training and/or activities.
Applicants may propose additional uses of funds that meet the objective 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) purchase portable electronic equipment, (d) repair or maintain privately owned vehicles, (e) pay for the preparation of the cooperative agreement application, (e) pay for scholarships, (f) pay for training of applicant/awardee, (g) fund political activities, (h) purchase alcohol, food, beverage, or entertainment; (i) pay costs associated with 501(c) applications; (k) pay costs incurred prior to receiving a cooperative agreement; or (l) 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 organization and other public or private organizations with the capacity to lead a local program of risk management education for farmers and ranchers in an RMA Region.
Individuals are not 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, gran, or partnership; a determination of a violation of applicable ethical standards.
Beneficiary Eligibility
The ultimate beneficiaries of this education program are agricultural producers with a priority of producers of crops not insurable by Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and undeserved commodities. Applicants receiving awards will ensure that such producers receive effective risk management education, information and outreach activities that can impact the risk management decision making.
Credentials/Documentation
Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to deliver risk management education, information, and outreach activities to producers in the written narrative and statements of work that are part of the application package. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. All applicants must submit applications in compliance with the criteria outlined in the Request for Applications (RFA) by the deadline specified in the Notice. Applications must be submitted electronically. Hard copy applications are not acceptable. Program application materials may be downloaded from the RMA website at www.rma.usda.gov
Award Procedures
Awards under this program must be made on a competitive basis for projects of up to one year. Each application will be reviewed and rated by a diverse panel based on the evaluation criteria contained in the RFA. Projects will be funded in final rank order until all available funds have been expended. Applicants must score at least 60 or more to be considered for funding. The award instrument is a cooperative agreement between the Risk Management Agency and the applicant. No maximum or minimum funding levels have been established for individual projects or geographic locations.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
Federal Crop Insurance Act, 7 U.S.C. 1522(d).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 90 to 120 days. All awards will be made no later than September 30. Applicants that are not funded will be notified with 90 days after the receipt of the applications.
Appeals
No provision is provided in this program for an appeal.
Renewals
The project period is one year; there are no renewals under this program.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Funding is available from the project date through the project end date not to exceed one year. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: The assistance is provided through the request of funds (SF-270) and requires the approval of RMA.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Program reports are not applicable.
Cash reports are not applicable.
Quarterly and Final Reports are required.
Quarterly and Final Financial Reports are required.
The Risk Management Agency"s 10 Regional Office provide oversight and monitoring of the project through substantial involvement.
Audits
Not Applicable.
Records
Awardees will maintain (at its place of business) all records required by the agreement and the respective OMB circulars.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-4085-0-3-351.
Obigations
(Cooperative Agreements) FY 12 $7,897,289; FY 13 est $3,000,000; and FY 14 est $0
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
No Data Available.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Not Applicable.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Lana K. Cusick 1400 and Independence Ave. SW
USDA South Building, Room 6717-S
Stop Code 0808, Washington, District of Columbia 20250-0808 Email: lana.cusick@rma.usda.gov Phone: 2027203325
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not Applicable.
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