Specialty Crop Grants - Overview
June 2009
Program Description:
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the availability of grant funds to state departments of agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program-Farm Bill (SCBGP-FB) is authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the Farm Bill).
Utah is designated to receive over $200,000 in block grant funds in this round of funding. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is the authorized agency to administer the grant.
Eligible Grant Applicants:
Individual producers, producer groups, organizations, and associations, as well as state and local organizations, academia and other specialty crops stakeholders are eligible to apply either as single entities or in combined efforts. Proposals submitted by individual producers must demonstrate that the potential impact of the project will accrue to a broader group of similar producers, region or industry segment.
Grant funds shall be used only for projects that “solely enhance the competitiveness” of specialty crops and benefit the specialty crop industry as a whole. Grant funds cannot be used for projects that benefit only a single company, individual, or commercial entity.
Program Scope and Eligibility:
Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).
Examples of “enhancing competitiveness” of specialty crops includes, but are not limited to: research, promotion, marketing, increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, buy local programs, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, seed and product development, and developing cooperatives.
If approved, applicants become grant partners with the state of Utah and will be obligated to execute a cooperative agreement with the state pursuant to a contract between UDAF and USDA. Applicants are reminded that:
• any information obtained, data derived and reports resulting from any Federal grant, including this one, must be available to the public;
• all travel expenses approved under projects shall follow State travel requirements;
• grant funds may not be used to fund political activities in accordance with provisions of the Hatch Act;
• grant funds are to supplement the expenditures of State funds in support of specialty crops grown in the State, rather than replace State funds;
• grantees will be required to provide periodic reports;
• all grantees will be required to provide a final report and submit to an audit of project activities;
• projects are for a one year duration; and,
• UDAF must be notified within 60 days of the ending date to request a time extension if for any reason the project cannot be completed within the time frame established in the grant agreement—a letter briefly explaining the need for the extension and specifying a new ending date is required.
If for any reason you are unwilling or unable to conform to government regulations specific to this grant, and/or provide financial and project information when requested in a timely manner, please do not apply.
Application Guidelines:
All applications must be submitted using the attached application form along with additional information as outlined below in order to be accepted as a complete application. Hard copy of the application must be received or postmarked no later than July 17, 2009. An electronic copy of the application is due at the same time to jedchristenson@utah.gov. (Please submit electronic copy in Microsoft Word with narratives in 12 pitch.)
The purpose of the following REQUIRED information is for applicants to describe how grant funds will be utilized to solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Please keep narratives short and concise. The following format is to be followed. APPLICATIONS THAT DO NOT ADDRESS EACH ONE OF THE AREAS IDENTIFIED BELOW ARE NOT COMPLETE AND WILL BE DECLARED INELIGIBLE.
1. Application. Available with this document and can be reproduced. To be signed by authorized representative of the project.
2. Project Title and Abstract. Name the lead entity for administering the plan, and a concise summary of 200 words or less describing the proposed project.
3. Project Purpose. Clearly state the purpose of the project. Describe the specific issue, problem, interest, or need to be addressed. Explain why the project is important and timely.
4. Potential Impact. Discuss the number of people or operations affected, the intended beneficiaries of the project, and/or potential economic impact if such data are available and relevant to the project.
5. Expected Measurable Outcomes. Describe at least one distinct, quantifiable and measurable outcome-oriented objective that directly and meaningfully supports the project’s purpose. The measurable outcome-oriented objective must define an event or condition that is external to the project and that is of direct importance to the intended beneficiaries and/or the public. Outcome measures may be long-term that exceed the grant period. Describe how performance toward meeting outcomes will be monitored. Include a performance-monitoring plan to describe the process of collecting and analyzing data to meet the outcome-oriented objective.
6. Work Plan. Explain briefly the activities that will be performed to accomplish the objectives of the project. Be clear about who will do the work. Include appropriate time lines.
7. Budget Narrative. Provide in sufficient detail information about the budget categories to demonstrate that grant funds are being expended on eligible grant activities that meet the purpose of the program. Administrative costs cannot exceed 10% of any proposed budget.
8. Project Oversight. Describe the oversight practices that provide sufficient knowledge of grant activities to ensure proper and efficient administration.
9. Project Commitment. Describe how you will commit to and work toward the goals and outcome measures of the proposed project.
Selection Criteria:
A selection committee established by UDAF will have the responsibility of evaluating all complete and eligible applications. Members of the Selection Committee include the Commissioner of Agriculture or his designee, the Deputy Commissioner or his designee, the Director of Marketing, and up to three other individuals as assigned by the Commissioner.
It is anticipated that UDAF will receive requests in an amount greater than allocated funds. A protocol is established to evaluate all applications and make awards to the projects that are determined to have the greatest overall benefit for specialty crops and all stakeholders. The evaluation protocol includes:
• Appropriate to the program purposes—does the project accomplish the purpose of solely enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops in Utah.
• Importance or need—does the project address a significant problem or important need to an industry or the state.
• Potential impact—how many people or operations are affected and what is the overall statewide economic impact of the project.
• Measurable outcomes—do the measurable outcomes appropriately track success in supporting the project’s purpose.
• Financial feasibility—is the budget realistic, and will the project yield a positive return on investment.
• Matching funds—how much money or in-kind contribution is the project providing from other sources to compliment grant funds. (The project should not utilize federal funds as matching funds for this grant since the source is federal monies.)
• Grant application—application is neat and follows guidelines in a clear and concise manner.
• Credibility—is it reasonable to expect the project to be successful.
• Timeliness—can the project be completed within a reasonable timeframe.
For additional information or to address questions, please contact Jed Christenson at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food:
Phone: (801) 538-7108
Email: jedchristenson@utah.gov
Posted June 8, 2009