The alabama department of agriculture & industries (adai) purpose is to fully implement the seafood processors pandemic response and safety block grant program to eligible alabama seafood…

The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) received a $200,000 block grant award from the US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service under the Pandemic Relief Activities: Farm and Food Worker Relief Grant Program (CFDA 10.181). The funding will support ADAI's implementation of the Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Block Grant Program to provide reimbursements to eligible Alabama seafood processors, at-sea processors, and dealers for expenses related to responding to or preparing for COVID-19. Key activities include extensive outreach and education by ADAI, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Marine Resources division, and the Alabama Organized Seafood Association to inform potential applicants. ADAI hosted an initial educational session in October 2021 and will issue a press release upon finalizing the grant agreement. Additional in-person and potentially virtual sessions will publicize the application process. It is expected that approximately 50 to 100 sub-awardees will receive reimbursements through this program by January 2024.

The alabama department of agriculture & industries (adai) purpose is to fully implement the seafood processors pandemic response and safety block grant program to eligible alabama seafood processors, at-sea processors, and dealers. Activities to be performed will be extensive outreach and education to the targeted audience by: 1) adai 2.) adcnr marine resources 3.) alabama organized seafood association. To maximize outreach efforts, adai hosted an in-person educational session in october 2021 to educate the prospective audience and stakeholders on the up-coming program. Additionally, adai will issues a press release detailing the application availability and eligibility criteria once the adai has secured the grant agreement with USDA-AMS. Also, there will be an in-person and possibly virtual outreach educational session(s) for the targeted audience regarding sign-up. The expected outcomes are that prospective applicants will make a decision to apply for the opportunity by: 1.) advanced outreach by adai in october 2021 informing the targeted audience of the future reimbursement funding opportunity. 2.) outreach/education activities by adai and partner organizations when applications are made available. The intended beneficiaries, which could approach 50 to 100, will be sub-awarded by adai based on qualified reimbursement measures because of responding to or preparing for covid-19 within the respected business.