Small Socially- Disadvantaged Producer Grants
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.
http//www.rurdev.usda.gov/StateOfficeAddresses.html.
Program Accomplishments
Not Applicable.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grant funds must be used for eligible activities and benefit a rural area.
Eligible activities include performing an advisory service for the benefit of a Small, Socially-Disadvantaged Producer such as market research; product and/or service improvement; legal advice and assistance; feasibility study, business plan, and marketing plan development; and training.
Cooperatives, groups of cooperatives, and cooperative development centers.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
SSDPG eligible applicants are cooperatives, groups of cooperatives, and cooperative development centers.
Grants may not be made to individuals or public bodies.
Beneficiary Eligibility
They must be located in a rural area as defined at section 343(a)(13) of the CONACT (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)).
Credentials/Documentation
Evidence of legal capacity as well as an appropriate financial management system. 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. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. To be considered, all applicants shall submit the required details, forms, and documents in accordance with the program s regulations, agency procedures, and the annual funding opportunity announcement application submission requirements.
Award Procedures
All applications will be reviewed in accordance with the program s regulations, agency procedures, and the annual funding opportunity announcement requirements.
Deadlines
Not Applicable.
Authorization
The SSDPG program is authorized under section 310B (e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932 (e)).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 60 to 90 days. Deadline for application will be announced via the program s annual funding opportunity announcement. No later that Sep 30 of each fiscal year.
Appeals
From 60 to 90 days. Review and appeal rights are given to applicants in accordance with 7 CFR Part 11.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The grant program is conducted on an annual basis and awards are made for a 12-month period. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Semiannual financial status and performance reports along with a final project performance report.
Cash reports are not applicable.
Progress reports are not applicable.
Expenditure reports are not applicable.
Performance monitoring is not applicable.
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. 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 in accordance with OMB Circular A-133.
Records
All grant records must be maintained for three years following the completion of the award.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-1900-0-1-452.
Obigations
(Project Grants) FY 12 $3,000,000; FY 13 est $3,200,000; and FY 14 Estimate Not Available
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Varies from year-to-year.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
7 CFR 4284, Subpart A.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. http//www.rurdev.usda.gov/StateOfficeAddresses.html.
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
Preference will be given to those applicants that demonstrate a proven track record in cooperative and business development, and in providing technical assistance in rural areas. Projects will be selected that contribute the most to the improvement of economic conditions of the rural area.
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