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
Funds are used to provide regional and national technical information, education resources, and assistance to farmers, information providers, agriculture-related businesses, and community food organizations across the U.S.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Funds are used to provide regional and national technical information, education resources, and assistance to farmers, information providers, agriculture-related businesses, and community food organizations across the U.S.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Rural communities and businesses in rural areas to include farmers, ranchers, market gardeners, extension agents, researchers, educators, farm organizations, and others involved in commercial agriculture, especially those who are economically disadvantaged or belong to traditionally underserved communities.
Credentials/Documentation
Evidence of legal and unique capacity to execute the regional and national purpose and requirements of this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is required.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Applicants shall submit Standard Form 424, "Application for Federal Assistance (For Nonconstruction)" and other required agency forms to the USDA Rural Development National Office, and include a written narrative, budget, and scope of work.
Award Procedures
Upon finalization of a cooperative agreement, funds are obligated and expenses are reimbursed not more frequently than monthly.
Deadlines
Not Applicable.
Authorization
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 (Pub.L. 113-6, H.R. 933, enacted March 26, 2013).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Not Applicable.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
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
Up to 18 Months from Date of Award. Extensions to the period of performance will be considered only through formal requests to USDA and will only be granted for specific and compelling reasons. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Grantee must provide a financial report and performance activity report in accordance with applicable regulations, agency procedures, and cooperative agreement.
Cash reports are not applicable.
Grantee must provide a financial report and performance activity report in accordance with applicable regulations, agency procedures, and cooperative agreement.
No expenditure reports are required.
No performance monitoring is required.
Audits
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-133. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal 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
Project records must be maintained for three years following the completion of the project.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-1900-0-1-452.
Obigations
(Cooperative Agreements) FY 12 $2,250,000; FY 13 est $2,086,732; and FY 14 Estimate Not Available
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Varies.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
7 CFR 4284, and other policies and applicable regulations detailed in the cooperative agreement.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Deputy Administrator of Coopertativ 1400 Independence Ave, mail stop 3250, Washington, District of Columbia 20250 Phone: 202-720-7558
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not Applicable.
Social entrepreneur Virginia de Villa seeks to improve the agricultural sector through her social enterprise, Real Cacao.