People s Garden Grant Program
Fiscal Year 2012: One project competed work with four diverse population community gardens to increase knowledge in communication, team building, and leadership development to create effective garden committee management.
A 100 question assessment tool was developed to analyze the needs of each garden along with meetings with garden participants and Educational materials were developed, shared, and customized to address the needs of the individual community garden membership.
Another project used micro-sub-grants to provide opportunities for change in knowledge, action, and conditions within 30 grantee communities.
Public officials became more supportive of planting trees in their community, city officials donated land, installed underground irrigation, and helped maintain trees during a severe drought.
Community gardeners acknowledged the benefits trees bring to their projects.
Throughout this pilot year, over 2,700 volunteers donated over 10,000 hours to plant over 2,000 trees and woody shrubs in the 30 grantee communities.
Planting these trees provided opportunities to apply the information learned in workshops and obtain practical knowledge and skills.
The necessity for continued care and harvesting of fruit and nut trees creates opportunities for continued learning and action One important "lesson learned" from the pilot year is that inherited knowledge among the general population about tree care in general and specifically the harvesting and use of fruits and nuts has been disappearing over the past 2-3 generations.
The grantee will develop an action plan to address this situation as part of the new national program.
One final outcome of this grant is the successfully creation of a new national fruit and nut tree program.
Named "Community Groves," this program will shortly make its 2013 debut as the first-ever national urban forestry program promoting the planting and care of fruit and nut trees.
Fiscal Year 2013: Information is currently not available.
The progress reports are not due until December, 2013.
Fiscal Year 2014: None anticipated.
Projects expected to conclude 9/1/2013.
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.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2012: Not applicable - Program was only funded for one year (2011). Fiscal Year 2013: Not applicable - Program was only funded for one year (2011). Fiscal Year 2014: Not applicable - Program was only funded for one year (2011).
Uses and Use Restrictions
The purpose of the People s Garden Grant Program (PGGP) is to:
• Create People s Gardens that will improve food access and serve as science-based educational sites for the community.
• Establish new gardens, revitalize and repurpose moribund local community gardens.
• Develop locally sponsored, self-sufficient gardens nationwide.
• Meet the initial program implementation needs.
NIFA has determined that PGGP award funds may not be used for the renovation or refurbishment of research, education, or extension space; the purchase or installation of fixed equipment in such space; or the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of buildings or facilities.
PGGP award funds may not be used to support the salaries of U. S. government employees.
The purchase of equipment is limited to that which is required for training, teaching, extension demonstration, and other relevant project activities.
Indirect Costs:
The lead and consortium institutions are expected to contribute resources to the accomplishment of project objectives and are encouraged to cost share in order to maximize programmatic impact by limiting indirect cost to ten percent (10%) of total federal funds awarded.
Fully discretionary.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants are State agricultural experiment stations, State cooperative extension services, all colleges and universities, other research or education institutions and organizations, Federal and private agencies and organizations, non-profit organizations, individuals, and any other contractor or recipient.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Eligible applicants are State agricultural experiment stations, State cooperative extension services, all colleges and universities, other research or education institutions and organizations, Federal and private agencies and organizations, non-profit organizations, individuals, and any other contractor or recipient.
Credentials/Documentation
No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
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
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Applications should be submitted as outlined in the RFA. Applications must follow the instructions provided per Grants.Gov and in the Agency guide to submitting applications via Grants.gov.
Award Procedures
Each application will be evaluated in a 2-part process. First, each application will be screened to ensure that it meets the administrative requirements as set forth in this RFA. Second, applications that meet these requirements will be technically evaluated by a review panel. Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors: (a) The level of relevant formal scientific, technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research, education, or extension activities; (b) the need to include as reviewers experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or extension fields; (c) the need to include as reviewers other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs; (d) the need to include as reviewers experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, private profit and non-profit organizations) and geographic locations; (e) the need to maintain a balanced composition of reviewers with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution; and (f) the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness to producers and the general public of each application.
Evaluation Criteria will be delineated in the RFA.
Deadlines
Not Applicable.
Authorization
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act , Public Law 95-113, 7 U.S.C 3318 (b); National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act , Public Law 95-113, 7 U.S.C 3318 (c).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Dates for specific deadlines are announced in the RFA. Information is also available via our website and may be obtained via the Grants.gov website. Respective links are provided below:
http://www.nifa.usda.gov/
http://www.grants.gov
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 30 to 180 days.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Specific details are provided in the Request for Applications (RFA).
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
This program has no matching requirements. NIFA does not require matching support for this program and matching resources will not be factored into the review process as evaluation criteria. However, the lead and consortium institutions are expected to contribute resources to the accomplishment of project objectives and are encouraged to cost share in order to maximize programmatic impact by limiting indirect cost to ten percent (10%) of total federal funds awarded. Funds are awarded competitively. No formula grants are awarded under this authority.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The term of competitive cooperative agreements under this program may not exceed two years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Grantees are to submit initial project information, summary, and annual reports to NIFA" s electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects.
The details of these reporting requirements are included in the award terms and conditions.
Grantees will also be expected to provide a mid-term and final narrative report, complete with photographs, suitable for posting on the National Extension Master Gardener Weblog at http://blogs.extension.org/mastergardener.
No cash reports are required.
Grantees are required to submit initial project information, summary, and annual summary reports to NIFA s electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects.
The details of these reporting requirements are included in the award terms and conditions.
A Summary Performance Report shall be submitted when substantial progress towards goals and objectives have occurred during the period of performance of this agreement.
In general, the program report should include a summary of the overall progress toward project objectives, current problems, or unusual developments.
In addition, projections for the upcoming quarter s program activities, along with any other pertinent information may be included.
The Federal Financial Report (SF-425) and a detailed line-item expenditures report should support the reported program activity.
An Annual Performance Report must be submitted within 90 days after the completion of the first year of the project, and annually thereafter during the life of the grant.
Generally, the Annual Performance Reports should include a summary of the overall progress toward project objectives, current problems or unusual developments, the next year"s activities, and any other information that is pertinent to the ongoing project or which may be specified in the terms and conditions of the award.
Given the high visibility of the People s Garden Initiative and Grant Program, there is a critical need to provide progress reports on a regular and frequent basis.
Such reports should include activities and outcomes as they relate to achieving the overall objectives of effective service delivery.
In addition to success stories, reports should include problems encountered and/or external factors that constrain progress towards planned objectives.
Grantees are to submit initial project information, summary, and annual reports to NIFA" s electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects.
The details of these reporting requirements are included in the award terms and conditions.
For awards greater than one year, an Annual Financial Report must be submitted within 90 days of the initial start date of the period of performance of the award.
The Federal Financial Report (SF-425) and a detailed line-item expenditures report should support the reported program activity.
A final Federal Financial Report (SF-425) is due within 90 days of the expiration date of the grant and should be submitted to the Awards Management Branch, Office of Extramural Programs at the address listed below, in accordance with instructions contained in 2 CFR 3430.55 (also refer to Section 3015.82 of the Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations).
Awards Management Division (AMD)
Office of Grants and Financial Management (OGFM)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
STOP 2271
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-2271
Telephone: (202) 401-4986
The details of these reporting requirements are included in the award terms and conditions.
Grantees are required to submit initial project information, summary, and annual summary reports to NIFA s electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects.
The details of these reporting requirements are included in the award terms and conditions.
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," 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. Audits will be conducted in accordance with guidelines established in the revised OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," and implemented in 7 CFR 3052. This program is also subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General.
Records
In accordance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non-profit Organizations [2 CFR 215, Subpart C, Section 215.53, (OMB Circular A-110)] grantees shall maintain separate records for each grant to ensure that funds are used for authorized purposes. Grant-related records are subject to inspection during the life of the grant and must be retained at least three (3) years. Records must be retained beyond the three-year period if litigation is pending or audit findings have not been resolved.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-0502-0-1-352.
Obigations
(Cooperative Agreements) FY 12 $0; FY 13 est $0; and FY 14 est $0 - NOTES:
Program was only funded for one year (FY 2011).
There has been no recent funding for this Program. However, the award(s) have not yet reached the Statutory Time Limit. Hence, NIFA does not wish to archive this CFDA Program.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
If minimum or maximum amounts of funding per competitive project grant or cooperative agreement are established, these will be announced in the program announcement or Request for Application (RFA).
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
2 CFR Part 215-Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations; 2 CFR Part 220 - Cost Principles for Educational Institutions; 7 CFR Part 3430, Competitive and Noncompetitive Non-formula Federal Assistance Programs - General Award Administrative Provisions and Program-Specific Administrative Provisions; 7 CFR Part 3015, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations; 7 CFR Part 3017, Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) ; 7 CFR Part 3018, New Restrictions on Lobbying; 7 CFR Part 3019, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-profit Organizations; and 7 CFR Part 3021- USDA implementation of Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-free Workplace (Financial Assistance).
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
USDA, NIFA, National Program Leader, Institute of Food Production and Sustainablity, Division of Plant Systems-Production, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 2240, Washington , District of Columbia 20250-2240 Phone: (202) 401 - 4202 Fax: (202) 401 - 1782
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Within guidelines established for the program as described in the Request for Application (RFA).
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