2021 RFSP Narrative Form.pdf

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Page of OMB No. 0581-0240

REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM

PROJECT NARRATIVE FORM AND INSTRUCTIONS

This form is mandatory. Thoroughly review the Regional Food System Partnerships Request for Applications (RFA) before completing this form. Upon completion, save this form and attach it to the application package within Grants.gov using the "Project Narrative Attachment Form" on the application package.

1. Applicant Organization - Must match box 8 of the SF-424.

Mailing Address

2. Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) - This person will be the main contact for any correspondence and is responsible for signing any documentation should the grant be awarded. Must match box 21 of the SF-424.

Mailing Address

3. Partnership Entity Types - If your organization is a State Agency Regional Farmers Market Authority, you must provide the regulatory statute(s) that identify your agency as that entity type.

Eligible Entity(ies) Eligible Partners

4. Project Activity Category - Identify all the activity categories that fit your project.

6. Grant Application Project Type - Described in section 1.3 of the RFA

9. Does the proposal address any of the Priority Areas as described in Section 1.3.4 of the RFA? - If Yes, please select the applicable priorities and provide a reasonable justification within this narrative to verify your response. For example, if you are applying to work in communities with significant opportunities for high impact investment, please briefly explain the community needs, including socioeconomic factors, limited resources, etc.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ALIGNMENT AND INTENT

Describe the food system's specific issues or needs that the project will address in relation to the statutory language of the program(7 U.S.C. 1627c). Include data and/or estimates that describe the extent of the issue or need and justify the project's objectives and approach. Address the following points in this section:

· List the objectives for this project, relating them directly to the issue or need mentioned above. Add objectives as needed:

Objectives objectives table Description of the Partnership Scope Producer or Food Business Benefits

TECHNICAL MERIT

Partnership Preparation Work Plan Describe the activities, resources, and timeline associated with each project objective mentioned in the Alignment and Intent section above. Include the following information: the anticipated date of completion; how and where the activities will take place; required resources; milestone(s) for assessing progress and success; who is responsible for completing the activity; and, if conducting training and technical assistance, how participants will be recruited and how you will help guide program development and delivery.

Objective Include the objective this activity will be tied to List and describe each planned activity Include the scope of work and how it relates to the project objectives Anticipated Completion Date Required Resources For completion of each activity Milestones For assessing progress and success of each activity Who will do the work?

Include collaborative arrangements or subcontractors work plan table Has the applicant received previous funding, Federal or non-Federal, to support partnership activities or projects?

Has this project been submitted to another Federal grant program, including AMS grant programs?

If yes to either question, provide the information below. Provide the AMS agreement number for any AMS grants received in the past 5 years. Add additional rows as needed.

Year Funding Source Program Name, Type of Award (if applicable) and/or AMS Grant Agreement # (if applicable) Description AMS Grant table Community Engagement

ACHIEVABILITY

This section includes the outcome indicator evaluation plan.

Outcome Indicators Complete all applicable project Outcomes and Indicators with baseline and/or estimated realistic target numbers.

Applicants should note that Outcomes/Indicators are designed to represent Local Agriculture Marketing Program (LAMP) priorities which include other USDA grant programs. Some indicators may be dependent on the partnership's ability to obtain additional funding for implementation. If an outcome indicator does not apply, check N/A (Not Applicable).

Applicants must choose at least one Outcome and Indicator(s) from 1-6 and are strongly encouraged to select Outcome 7.

Outcome 1: To Increase Consumption of and Access to Locally and Regionally Produced Agricultural Products.

Indicator Description Estimated Number N/A 1.a.

Total number of project beneficiaries/stakeholders to be reached 1.b.

Of the number in 1.a., the number that will report buying, selling, aggregating, storing, producing, and/or distributing locally or regionally produced agriculture products 1.c.

Of the number in 1.a., the number that will gain knowledge on how to access, produce, prepare, and/or preserve locally and regionally produced agricultural products outcome 1 table Outcome 2: To Increase Customers and Sales of Local and Regional Agricultural Products.

For projects that do not already have a baseline of sales in dollars or an initial customer count, one of the objectives of the project must be to determine such a baseline to meet the requirement and to document the value of sales increases or percent change in customer count by the end of the project.

Indicator Description Estimated Number N/A 2.a.

Sales increased as a result of marketing and/or promotion activities during the project performance period.

Enter number here Initial (Original) Sales Amount (in dollars) Estimated Final (Resulted) Sales Amount (in dollars) Percent Change ((n final - n initial)/(n initial) * 100 = % change) 2.b.

Customer counts increased during the project performance period.

Initial (Original) Customer Count Estimated Final (Resulted) Customer Count Percent Change ((n final - n initial)/(n initial) * 100 = % change) outcome 2 table Outcome 3: To Develop New Market Opportunities for Farm and Ranch Operations Serving Local Markets.

Please provide estimated target numbers.

Indicator Description Estimated Number N/A Number of new and/or existing delivery systems/access points reached that expanded and/or improved locally or regionally produced product or service offerings 3.a.

Number of farmers markets 3.b.

Number of roadside stands 3.c.

Number of Community Supported Agriculture programs 3.d.

Number of agritourism activities 3.e.

Number of other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities 3.f.

Number of local and regional food business enterprises that process, aggregate, distribute, or store locally and regionally produced agricultural products outcome 3 table Of the local and regional farmers and ranchers, processors, aggregators, and/or distributors reached, the:

3.g.

Number that reported an increase in revenue expressed in dollars 3.h.

Number that gained knowledge about new market opportunities through technical assistance and education programs outcome 3 table Number of careers, jobs, farmers that went into production 3.i.

Number of new careers created (difference between "jobs" and "careers": jobs are net gain of paid employment; new businesses created or adopted can indicate new careers) 3.j.

Number of jobs maintained/created 3.k.

Number of new beginning farmers who went into local/regional food production 3.l.

Number of socially disadvantaged1 farmers who went into local/regional food production outcome 3 table 1Socially Disadvantaged Farmer is a farmer who is a member of a Socially Disadvantaged Group. A Socially Disadvantaged Group is a group whose members have been subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.

Outcome 4: To Improve the Food Safety of Locally and Regionally Produced Agricultural Products.

Indicator Description Estimated Number N/A 4.a.

Number of individuals that will learn about prevention, detection, control, and intervention food safety practices 4.b.

Of the number in 4.a., the number that will report increasing their food safety skills and knowledge 4.c.

Number of growers or producers who will obtain on-farm food safety certifications (such as Good Agricultural Practices or Good Handling Practices) outcome 4 table Outcome 5: To Establish or Expand a Local and Regional Food Business Enterprise.

Indicator Description Estimated Number N/A 5.a.

For projects developing a plan to establish or expand a local or regional food system enterprise and conducting a needs assessment: Number of unmet consumer needs, barriers to local foods, unserved populations, etc. identified through a comprehensive needs assessment.

5.b.

Number of plans (business, economic, feasibility) developed based on a comprehensive needs assessment.

5.c.

Amount of non-Federal financial, professional, and technical assistance measured in dollars secured as a result of the developed plan(s).

Outcome 5 table outcome 5 table Outcome 6: To Increase Capacity and Efficiency of the Local or Regional Food System.

Indicator Description Outcome 6 table Estimated Number N/A 6.a.

Total number of relevant partners engaged, including those representing diverse, non-traditional eligible entities and eligible partners 6.b.

Of the total number of food system collaborators engaged, the number that:

Gained knowledge on how to access resourcesProvided technical assistance or training to partnersSecured additional funding as a result of partnership involvement 6.c.

Amount of non-Federal financial, professional, and technical assistance measured in dollars secured as a result of partnership activities.

outcome 6 table As part of our effort to evaluate our grant programs, AMS is interested in developing Outcomes and Indicators for RFSP as the program continues to develop. As such, applicants are strongly encouraged to add at least one Outcome and Indicator(s) based on relevant partnership efforts not covered above. Creativity is highly recommended, particularly regarding any metrics measuring systemwide planning efforts, and reflecting coordination, learning, and responsiveness to regional realities.

Project Specific Outcome Indicator(s) Indicator Description Project specific outcome table Estimated Number Outcome 7 table Outcome Indicator Measurement Plan For each completed outcome indicator, describe how you derived the numbers, how you intend to measure and achieve each relevant outcome and indicator, and any potential challenges to achieving the estimated targets and action steps for addressing them.

Outcome and Indicator #I.e., 3.i., 6.a., 6.b.

How did you derive the estimated numbers?

I.e., documented background or baseline information, recent research and data, etc.

How and when do you intend to evaluate?

I.e., surveys, 3rd party assessment Anticipated key factors predicted to contribute to and restrict outcome Including action steps for addressing identified restricting factors Outcome table Dissemination of Project Results Project Sustainability

EXPERTISE AND PARTNERS

Key Staff (Applicant Personnel and External Partner/Collaborators) List key project partner staff that comprise the Project Team, their roles, and provide a one- to two-page resume or summary of relevant experience and/or qualifications for each of the participants listed. Longer resumes or summaries will be disregarded. Applicant must include Letters of Commitment from Partner and Collaborator Organizations to support the information (see section 4.2.4 in the RFA). Add additional rows as needed.

Key Staff Name and Title Role Key Staff table Provide the information below for each partner under the partnership agreement at the time of application. The partnership must have at least one eligible entity and at least one eligible partner, as described in Sections 3.2 and 3.3 of the RFA. Add additional rows as needed.

Name Entity or Partner Type Role Partner table Project Management Plan

FISCAL PLAN AND RESOURCES

Please complete the Budget and Justification below.

BUDGET AND JUSTIFICATION

The budget must show the total cost for the project and describe how category costs listed in the budget are derived. The budget justification must provide enough detail for reviewers to easily understand how costs were determined and how they relate to the Project Objectives and Expected Outcomes. The budget must show a relationship between work planned and performed to the costs incurred. Add additional rows to a table as needed.

Refer to RFA Section 1.3.3 Projects and Activities not Eligible for Funding for more information on allowable and unallowable expenses.

Applicants must ensure the information provided below reflects the minimum 10% or 25% match requirement.

Budget Summary Expense Category Federal Funds Cost Share or Match - Applicant and 3rd Parties Personnel Fringe Benefits Travel Equipment Supplies Contractual/Subawards Other Direct Costs Subtotal Indirect Costs Total Budget (direct + indirect) Budget table Personnel Please complete the Budget and Justification below.

Name, Title Justification for Requesting Funds Level of Effort (# of hours OR % FTE) Annual Salary Requested Total Funds Requested Match Value Match Type Personnel Subtotals Personnel table Fringe Benefits Provide the fringe benefit rates for each of the project's salaried employees listed above. The costs of fringe benefits should be reasonable and in line with established policies of your organization.

Name, Title Fringe Benefit Rate Funds Requested Match Value Match Type Fringe Benefits Subtotals Fringe benefits table Travel Explain the purpose for each Trip Request. Please note that travel costs are limited to those allowed by formal organizational policy; in the case of air travel, project participants must use the lowest reasonable commercial airfares. For recipient organizations that have no formal travel policy and for-profit recipients, allowable travel costs may not exceed those established by the Federal Travel Regulations, issued by GSA, including the maximum per diem and subsistence rates prescribed in those regulations. This information is available at https://www.gsa.gov/.

Trip Details (Destination, Timing, Justification) Expense Type (airfare, car rental, etc.)

Unit of Measure (days, miles, etc.)

# of Units Cost/Unit # of Travelers Funds Requested Match Value Match Type Travel Subtotals Travel table Equipment Describe any special purpose equipment to be purchased or rented under the grant. ``Special purpose equipment'' is tangible, nonexpendable, personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost that equals or exceeds $5,000 per unit and is used only for research, medical, scientific, or other technical activities. Rental of "general purpose equipment'' must also be described in this section. Purchase of general purpose equipment is not allowable under this grant.

Item # Description and Funds Justification Rental or Purchase?

Date Acquired?

Funds Requested Match Value Match Type Equipment Subtotals Equipment table Supplies List the materials, supplies, and fabricated parts costing less than $5,000 per unit and describe how they will support the purpose and goal of the proposal.

Description and Funds Justification Cost/Unit # of Units Date Acquired?

Funds Requested Match Value Match Type Supplies Subtotals Supplies table Contractual The Contractual section includes contractual, consultant, and subaward agreements that are part of the completion of the project. A subaward is an award provided by the non-federal entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a Federal award received by the non-federal entity. Contractual/consultant costs are expenses associated with purchasing goods and/or procuring services performed by an individual or organization other than the applicant in the form of a procurement relationship. If there is more than one contractor or consultant or subaward, each must be described separately.

Type Description and Funds Justification Hourly/Flat Rate Funds Requested Match Value Match Type Contractual Subtotals Contractual table Other Include any expenses not covered in any of the previous budget categories. Be sure to break down costs into cost/unit. Expenses in this section include, but are not limited to, meetings and conferences, communications, rental expenses, advertisements, publication costs, and data collection.

Description and Funds Justification Cost/Unit # Unit/Pieces Purchased Date Acquired?

Funds Requested Match Value Match Type Other Subtotal other expenses table Indirect Indirect costs (also known as “facilities and administrative costs” --defined at 2 CFR §200.56) represent the expenses of doing business that are not readily identified with a particular grant, contract, or project function or activity, but are necessary for the general operation of the organization and the conduct of activities it performs. For the indirect cost formula and additional information, refer to Section 4.6.1 of the RFA.

Indirect Cost Rate Requested (%) Funds Requested Match Value Match Type Indirect Subtotal Indirect costs table Program Income Program income is gross income --earned by a recipient or subrecipient under a grant --directly generated by the grant-supported activity or earned only because of the grant agreement during the grant period of performance. Program income includes, but is not limited to, income from fees for services performed; the sale of commodities or items fabricated under an award (this includes items sold at cost if the cost of producing the item was funded in whole or partially with grant funds); registration fees for conferences, etc.

Income Source Description of how income is reinvested Funds Expected Program Income Total Program Income table

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

PAPERWORK BURDEN STATEMENT

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act, as amended, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB Control Number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0240. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 4 hours per response, including the time for reading and utilizing this document to prepare an application, reviewing which items are allowable, and understanding the terms and conditions of the grant award.

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USDA

Regional Food System Partnerships Program