The programs are currently implemented by six U.S. PVOs and two Historically Black Universities that often work with a range of additional sub-grantees. The eight implementers, during the last two years, sent 1,121 volunteers (14% women) to 40 countries. Volunteers worked with 1,032 host organizations (cooperatives and farmer groups, technical support agencies, rural financial services agencies, private businesses, and non-governmental organizations).

Uses and Use Restrictions

Grant funds may be used to assist developing countries, middle-income countries, emerging markets, sub-Saharan African countries, and Caribbean Basin countries to: 1.

increase farm production and farmer incomes by increasing food production and distribution and improving the effectiveness of the farming and marketing operations of agricultural producers in those countries; 2.

improve agricultural and agribusiness operations and agricultural systems in those countries, including improving i) animal care and health; ii) field crop cultivation; iii) fruit and vegetable growing; iv) livestock operations; v) food processing and packaging; vi) farm credit; vii) marketing; viii) inputs; and ix) agricultural extension, and strengthen cooperatives and other agricultural groups in those countries, and 3.

transfer the knowledge and expertise of United States agricultural producers and businesses, on an individual basis, to those countries while enhancing the democratic process by supporting private and public agriculturally related organizations that request and support technical assistance activities through cash and in-kind services.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

The following types of organizations are eligible to apply for grants: agricultural producers, agriculturalists, colleges and universities (including historically black colleges and universities, land grant colleges or universities, and foundations maintained by colleges or universities), private agribusinesses, private organizations (including grassroots organizations with an established and demonstrated capacity to carry out such a bilateral exchange program), private corporations, and nonprofit farm organizations.

Applicants must also be registered with USAID (if a U.S.

PVO); and waive profits and/or fees under the USAID grant (if a for-profit business).

Beneficiary Eligibility

Farms, cooperatives, farmers associations, agricultural and food processing and marketing enterprises, rural finance institutions and in some cases public entities seeking assistance in improving agricultural policy and public services to the agricultural sector in developing countries, middle-income countries, emerging markets, sub-Saharan African countries, and Caribbean Basin countries.

Credentials/Documentation

Organizations aspiring to implement the John Ogonowski Farmer to Farmer Program, must be registered with USAID (if a U.S. PVO); and waive profits and/or fees under the USAID grant (if a for-profit business). In addition they should provide documentation that demonstrates that they have the organizational capacity to implement the program.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

As may be specified in a published Request for Applications (RFA).

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

As may be specified in a published Request for Applications. This would normally include, but would not necessarily be limited to Forms SF-424 and 424A, as well as the applicant organization's name, address, contact person and information; project objectives; funding and budget; proposed partners; executive summary, organizational overview, program description, program management and structure; monitoring and impact assessment; cost proposal with budget narrative; planning matrix; staffing plans with resumes of key personnel; letters from proposed partners evidencing knowledge of the program and agreement to participate; evidence of concurrence from USAID missions in countries of proposed implementation; and a summary of USAID-financed activities conducted over the three years preceding the application.

Award Procedures

As may be specified in a published Request for Applications (RFA). Applications are submitted to the Office of Acquisitions and Assistance, Attn: Farmer-to-Farmer Program, United States Agency for International Development, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC 20523.

Deadlines

Specified in the published Request for Applications which appear on the USAID web site and in the Federal Register.

Authorization

Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Section 501, The Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 7 U.S.C. 1737.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately three to four months from the receipt of applications.

Appeals

If an application is rejected, the reasons for rejection are fully stated.

Renewals

Not applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

There is no formula for matching requirements. Applicants may be encouraged to achieve a target match which would be incorporated in the Request for Applications.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Cooperative agreements are generally for a period of five years and may be extended for a total period not to exceed ten years. The length of grants is also governed by the length of the governing legislation.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Each award recipient is required to provide Annual Work Plans, Semi-Annual Progress Reports and Quarterly financial statements (Form 269A).

Additional reporting may be required to respond to specific requests for information.

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," non federal 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.

Records

The grantee shall maintain adequate records and accounts to assure that grant funds are used for authorized purposes.

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-2278-0-1-151.

Obigations

FY 07 $10,600,000; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Total program budget has averaged approximately $10.6 million per year over the past 5 years. Currently there are eleven awards. Awards are in the range of $1.5 million to $16 million dollars for programs ranging from five to nine years.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Code of Federal Regulations Title 22, 228 Volume 1, Parts 1 to 299 Revised as of April 1, 1999; USAID Automated Directive System, specifically Series 300 and cross-references.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Not applicable.

Headquarters Office

Dr. Shirley Pryor, Program Manager, Farmer-to-Farmer Program, EGAT/AG/ATGO, United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC 20523. Telephone: (202) 712-4086. Fax: (202) 216-3579. E-Mail Contact: spryor@usaid.gov. Robert Navin, Technical Advisor, Farmer-to-Farmer Program, EGAT/AG/ATGO, United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC 20523. Telephone: (202) 712-5837. Fax: (202) 216-3579. E-Mail Contact: rnavin@usaid.gov. Eric Benschoter, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Farmer-to-Farmer Program, The Mitchell Group, 1325 G St. NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005. Telephone: (202) 219-0476. Fax: (202) 219-0508. E-Mail Contact: ebenschoter@afr-sd.org.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Criteria are defined specifically in the RFAs when issued. Generally the technical and organizational criteria are based on potential capacity to efficiently recruit and field volunteers overseas, identify host enterprises in the targeted countries and plan and organize volunteer assignments in to coherent programs that have significant measurable economic impact.