[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56101-56102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8213]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[No. FV-06-18]


Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the 
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP)

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the 
availability of approximately $7 million in block grant funds to 
enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. State departments of 
agriculture interested in obtaining grant program funds are invited to 
submit applications to USDA. State departments of agriculture, meaning 
agencies, commissions, or departments of a State government responsible 
for agriculture within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, are eligible to apply. State departments 
of agriculture are encouraged to involve industry groups, academia, and 
community-based organizations in the development of applications and 
the administration of projects.

DATES: Applications must be postmarked not later than October 11, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Applications may be sent to: SCBGP, Agricultural Marketing 
Service (AMS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Stop 0235, Room 2077 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-
0235.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Trista Etzig, (202) 690-4942, or 
Margaret Irby, (202) 720-3209, e-mail: [email protected] or your 
State department of agriculture listed on the SCBGP Web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SCBGP is authorized under section 101 of the 
Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note) and is 
implemented under 7 CFR part 1290 [Docket No. FV06-1290-1 FR]. The 
SCBGP assists State departments of agriculture in enhancing the 
competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as 
fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops 
(including floriculture). Examples of enhancing the competitiveness of 
specialty crops include, but are not limited to: Research, promotion, 
marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, 
plant health programs, education, ``buy local'' programs, increased 
consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced 
costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, 
product development, and developing cooperatives.
    Each interested State department of agriculture is to submit an 
application anytime before October 11, 2007 to the USDA contact noted 
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. AMS will process the 
application after the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, 7 CFR part 
1290, becomes effective on October 11, 2006. States that do not apply 
for or do not request all available funding during the specified grant 
application period will forfeit all or that portion of available 
funding not requested for that application year. AMS will work with 
State departments of agriculture and provide assistance as necessary.
    Additional details about the SCBGP application process for all 
applicants are available at the SCBGP Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/.
    To be eligible for a grant, each State department of agriculture's 
application shall be clear and succinct and include the following 
documentation satisfactory to AMS.
    (a) Completed applications must include an SF-424 ``Application for 
Federal Assistance''.
    (b) Completed applications must also include one State plan to show 
how grant funds will be utilized to enhance the competitiveness of 
specialty crops. SCBGP grant funds will be awarded for projects of up 
to 3 years duration. The state plan shall include the following:
    (1) Cover page. Include the lead agency for administering the plan 
and an abstract of 200 words or less for each proposed project.
    (2) Project purpose. Clearly state the specific issue, problem, 
interest, or need to be addressed. Explain why each project is 
important and timely.
    (3) Potential Impact. Discuss the number of people or operations 
affected, the intended beneficiaries of each project, and/or potential 
economic impact if such data are available and relevant to the 
project(s).
    (4) Financial Feasibility. For each project, provide budget 
estimates for the total project cost. Indicate what percentage of the 
budget covers administrative costs. Administrative costs should not 
exceed 10 percent of any proposed budget. Provide a justification if 
administrative costs are higher than 10 percent.
    (5) Expected Measurable Outcomes. Describe at least two discrete,

[[Page 56102]]

quantifiable, and measurable outcomes that directly and meaningfully 
support each project's purpose. The outcome measures 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.
    (6) Goal(s). Describe the overall goal(s) in one or two sentences 
for each project.
    (7) Work Plan. Explain briefly how each goal and measurable outcome 
will be accomplished for each project. Be clear about who will do the 
work. Include appropriate time lines. Expected measurable outcomes may 
be long term that exceed the grant period. If so, provide a timeframe 
when long term outcome measure will be achieved.
    (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 all grant partners commit to 
and work toward the goals and outcome measures of the proposed 
project(s).
    (10) Multi-state Projects. If a project is a multi-state project, 
describe how the States are going to collaborate effectively with 
related projects. Each state participating in the project should submit 
the project in their State plan indicating which State is taking the 
coordinating role and the percent of the budget covered by each State.
    Each State department of agriculture that submits an application 
that is reviewed and approved by AMS is to receive $100,000 to enhance 
the competitiveness of specialty crops. In addition, AMS will allocate 
the remainder of the grant funds based on the proportion of the value 
of specialty crop production in the state in relation to the national 
value of specialty crop production using the latest available (2005 
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) cash receipt data for 
the 50 States and the District of Columbia and 2002 Census of 
Agriculture data for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) specialty crop 
production data in all states whose applications are accepted.
    The amount of the base grant plus value of production available to 
each State department of agriculture shall be:

(1) Alabama $108,926.78
(2) Alaska $100,520.67
(3) Arizona $133,290.44
(4) Arkansas $102,675.16
(5) California $652,477.92
(6) Colorado $116,139.35
(7) Connecticut $107,934.62
(8) Delaware $102,403.75
(9) District of Columbia $100,000.00
(10) Florida $253,750.10
(11) Georgia $129,864.25
(12) Hawaii $109,201.37
(13) Idaho $121,388.06
(14) Illinois $111,450.21
(15) Indiana $109,567.29
(16) Iowa $103,249.43
(17) Kansas $102,197.15
(18) Kentucky $102,827.56
(19) Louisiana $104,950.42
(20) Maine $105,806.75
(21) Maryland $111,602.37
(22) Massachusetts $107,596.35
(23) Michigan $136,342.33
(24) Minnesota $113,274.97
(25) Mississippi $103,626.70
(26) Missouri $104,289.46
(27) Montana $102,726.15
(28) Nebraska $104,133.83
(29) Nevada $101,478.01
(30) New Hampshire $102,244.91
(31) New Jersey $117,036.97
(32) New Mexico $108,507.39
(33) New York $129,212.32
(34) North Carolina $136,155.66
(35) North Dakota $109,135.59
(36) Ohio $122,689.29
(37) Oklahoma $107,188.11
(38) Oregon $148,320.35
(39) Pennsylvania $128,893.21
(40) Puerto Rico $106,053.13
(41) Rhode Island $101,417.97
(42) South Carolina $110,424.99
(43) South Dakota $100,850.02
(44) Tennessee $111,629.63
(45) Texas $156,488.66
(46) Utah $103,135.47
(47) Vermont $101,397.90
(48) Virginia $111,797.84
(49) Washington $182,441.82
(50) West Virginia $100,286.87
(51) Wisconsin $120,305.36
(52) Wyoming $100,695.09

    Applicants submitting hard copy applications should submit one 
unstapled original and one unstapled copy of the application package. 
The SF-424 must be signed (with an original signature) by an official 
who has authority to apply for Federal assistance. Hard copy 
applications should be sent only via express mail to AMS at the address 
noted at the beginning of this notice because USPS mail sent to 
Washington, DC headquarters is still being sanitized, resulting in 
possible delays, loss, and physical damage to enclosures. AMS will send 
an e-mail confirmation when applications arrive at the AMS office.
    Applicants who submit hard copy applications are also encouraged to 
submit electronic versions of their application directly to AMS via e-
mail addressed to [email protected] in one of the following 
formats: Word (*.doc); or Adobe Acrobat (*.pdf). Alternatively, a 
standard 3.5'' HD diskette or a CD may be enclosed with the hard copy 
application.
    Applicants also have the option of submitting SCBGP applications 
electronically through the central Federal grants Web site, http://www.grants.gov instead of mailing hard copy documents. Applicants 
considering the electronic application option are strongly urged to 
familiarize themselves with the Federal grants Web site and begin the 
application process well before the application deadline.
    SCBGP is listed in the ``Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance'' 
under number 10.169 and subject agencies must adhere to Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination in all federally 
assisted programs.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621 note.

    Dated: September 19, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 06-8213 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P