2025 FMPP or LFPP Project Narrative.docx

Farmers Market Promotion Program Or Local Food Promotion Program 2025 Project Narrative Form and instructions NOT For Turnkey Application Projects This form is mandatory for all Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) or Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) project type applications, EXCEPT for the “Turnkey Marketing and Promotion” and “Turnkey Recruitment and Training Turnkey” applications. The Turnkey applicants are required to complete their respective Turnkey Project Narrative Form only, available at the program website. Thoroughly review the applicable FMPP or LFPP Request for Applications (RFA) before completing this form. This form must be converted to PDF and attached to the application package within Grants.gov.

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

Name:

Email:

Phone:

Mailing Address:

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

Name:

Email:

Phone:

Mailing Address: ☐ Check if same as above

3. Project Coordinator or Director (PC/PD) This cannot be the same person listed as the AOR.

Name:

Email:

Phone:

Mailing Address: ☐ Check if same as above

4. Applicant Entity Type Select each applicable entity type as defined in Section 2.1 of the RFA. 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.

OMB No. 0581‐0240

☐ Agricultural Business or Cooperatives ☐ Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Network or Association ☐ Economic Development Corporation ☐ Food Council ☐ Local Government ☐ Nonprofit Corporation ☐ Producer Network or Association ☐ Public Benefit Corporation ☐ Regional Farmers Market Authority ☐ State Agency Regional Farmers Market Authority (Indicate Regulation Below):

☐ Tribal Government ☐ Other (Specify Below):

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

☐ Aggregation ☐ Agritourism ☐ Farm to Institution ☐ Farmer Recruitment and Retention ☐ Food Safety ☐ Infrastructure ☐ Marketing and Promotion ☐ Processing

☐ Production Diversification /Expansion Comment by Lakins, Velma - MRP-AMS: Should this be changed to Product Diversification/Expansion. Production may be interpreted as related to crop production. Comment by Ramos, Zoemi - MRP-AMS: Updated!

☐ Organic ☐ On-Farm Food Waste ☐ Season Extension ☐ Training and Education ☐ Transportation and Distribution ☐ Value-added Processing Comment by Lakins, Velma - MRP-AMS: Suggest changing to Processing to help stay clear of any production activities.

☐ Other (specify below):

6. Project Title (Provide a descriptive title. Must match box 15 of the SF-424.):

7. Grant Application Project Type (ONLY select one Program Project Type. Described in Section 3.3 of the RFA) Comment by Lakins, Velma - MRP-AMS: Should we add the statement ONLY select one Program Project Type.

FMPP:

☐ Capacity Building (CB) ☐ Community Development Training and Technical Assistance (CTA)

LFPP:

☐ Planning ☐ Implementation

8. Requested FMPP or LFPP Funds Insert the total amount ($) of Federal funds requested. This must match the total amount requested on Line 18a. Estimated Federal Funding of the SF-424.

9. Cost Share Funds Applicant must provide a 25% cost share on the total Federal portion of the grant. This must align with the total amount requested on Line 18b Applicant Funding of the SF-424. See Section 2.4 of the RFA for more information.

10. Does the proposal address the Low Income/Low Access (LI/LA) Priority Consideration as described in Section 3.4 of the RFA?

See instructions on how to determine priority eligibility at Qualifying for Priority Consideration at the end of this form.

☐ Yes ☐ No

11. Project Implementation Physical Address Enter up to three addresses where this project will be implemented. If you are requesting consideration as a priority area, enter the Food Access Research Atlas Low Income/Low Access (LI/LA) Census Tract number. For detailed instructions, see Qualifying for Priority Consideration at the end of this form.

Executive Summary In 250 words or less, briefly describe the project’s purpose; activities to be performed, including subawards (when applicable); deliverables and expected outcomes; intended beneficiaries; and any other pertinent information. This summary will be made available to the public. Comment by Massey, Elijah - MRP-AMS: Should we add the qualifying “If awarded…” to this sentence?

Alignment and Intent Describe the specific issue, problem, or need that the project will address in relation to the Statutory Language found in the RFA in Section 3.1. Answering this question should clearly justify the project’s objectives and approach, and not just provide the associated statistics. You must articulate the reason behind the selected local or regional food system development effort.

List objectives for this project.

The objectives must be related to addressing the issue(s), problem(s), or need(s) mentioned above and related to the project’s approach and work plan. Add objectives as necessary.

· Objective 1:

· Objective 2:

· Objective 3:

Who are the intended beneficiaries of this project and how many are there? How does the project specifically benefit farm and ranch operations serving local markets?

What are the expected short-and long-term impacts to the beneficiaries of this project?

Specifically, the project should focus on the benefits to farm and ranch operations serving local markets.

Technical Merit Work Plan Describe the activities and timeline associated with each project objective mentioned in the Alignment and Intent section. Include the following information:

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

For completion of each activity Milestones:

For assessing progress and success of each activity Who will do the work?

Include collaborative arrangements or subcontractors

Refrigerator equipment Milestone 1: Complete XX assessment

Milestone 2: Initiate XX equipment purchases ABC Best Contracting Service

XYZ Company’s Executive Director

Have you received a past FMPP or LFPP grant award?

☐ Yes ☐ No Have you submitted this project to another Federal grant program?

☐ Yes ☐ No Are you a current Regional Food System Partnership (RFSP) recipient?

☐ Yes ☐ No If yes to the above questions, please provide the information below. Provide AMS agreement number for grants received in the past 5 years. Describe how the project is/was different from previous grants or how it supplements the proposed activities; and the results of the current project (if applicable). Include lessons learned, what can be improved, and how these lessons and improvements will be incorporated into this application to meet program goals effectively and successfully.

AMS Grant Agreement number;

OR

Federal Financial Assistance Number (FAIN)?

Achievability This section includes the outcome indicator evaluation plan. Comment by Massey, Elijah - MRP-AMS: Is this referring to the Outcome Indicator Measurement subsection (below)? If so suggest revising to clarify this, as currently presented language could be interpreted to indicated a non-existent requirement. Comment by Ramos, Zoemi - MRP-AMS: Yes, it does. I agree that this needs to be clarified. How about if we moved the instructions listed under the Outcome Indicator section in here? I think it explains what applicants are supposed to do in the outcomes and indicators below.

Also, in the instructions I added the following requirement: Applicants must choose at least one Outcome and Indicator(s).

Suggestions and thoughts are welcomed! Comment by Massey, Elijah - MRP-AMS: Your reorganization/added language addresses my concern - I support the proposed edit! Comment by Ramos, Zoemi - MRP-AMS: Thanks Elijah!

Outcome Indicators Complete all applicable project Outcomes and Indicators with baseline and/or estimated realistic target numbers. Applicants must choose at least one Outcome and Indicator(s). If an outcome indicator does not apply, check N/A (Not Applicable). For additional information on how to collect data for these outcomes and indicators, refer to the Performance Measures Data Collection Guide. Comment by Massey, Elijah - MRP-AMS: Should we add a statement notifying applicants that if all indicators related to an outcome’s table are marked “N/A” they may collapse the table (to help with page count limitations)? If so, we might want to add a statement that any collapsed table will be treaded as the applicant indicating the outcome does not apply to the proposed project (since once the applicant uploads a PDF of the PN to grants.gov, the Agency will not have the ability to expand the table’s content following conversion).

Such direction would respond to positive feedback we received regarding applicant’s ability to expand/collapse Outcome/indicator tables in the fillable PDF PN in FY25. However, it also presents the potential for new confusion and the possibility of an applicant collapsing a table which contains relevant indicator information. Comment by Lakins, Velma - MRP-AMS: Suggesting to not collapse the outcome indicator section. The applicant submits the application as a PDF and then the staff converts back to a word document. Comment by Ramos, Zoemi - MRP-AMS: Thank you both! If I recall correctly from last year, if the recipient collapse the info, when they save as PDF the data collapsed is lost when converted to Word. Which was one of the issues GMS experienced last year. I think we can avoid this potential from happening this year. Lets move forward with not collapsing for this year. Comment by Massey, Elijah - MRP-AMS: Need to update linked resources to align with FY25 updates to O&I.

Outcome Indicators Outcome 1: Develop Business Plans Aand Feasibility Studies

Outcome 2: Facilitate Regional Food Chain Coordination Andand Increase Capacity Of Direct-To-Consumer Entities

Outcome 3: Develop The Market Forfor Local/Regional Agricultural Products

Outcome 4: Increase Viability oOf Local/Regional Producers aAnd Processors

Outcome 5: Improve Food Safety Ofof Local/Regional Agricultural Products Applicable to projects conducting a needs assessment (i.e. planning projects).

Outcome 6: Increase Consumption and Consumer Purchasing of Local/Regional Agricultural Products

Outcome Indicator Measurement 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

Potential Adaptation of Project by Others Discuss if and how this project can be adapted to other regions, communities, and/or agricultural systems.

Dissemination of Project Results Describe how you will disseminate project’s results (positive and negative) to similar organizations, stakeholders, and others that may be interested in the project’s results or implementing a similar project.

Expertise and Partners Key Staff (Applicant Personnel and External Partner/Collaborators) List key staff, including applicant personnel and external project partners and collaborators (see section 2.2 in the RFA for definitions) that comprise the Project Team, their role, their relevant experience, and past successes in developing and operating projects similar to those to be conducted under this project. Applicant must include Letters of Commitment from Partner and Collaborator Organizations to support the information (see section 4.8 in the RFA). If needed, add additional rows.

Key staff Name and Title

Project Management Plan Describe your management plan for coordination, communication, and data sharing and reporting among members of the Project Team and stakeholder groups, including both internal applicant personnel and external partners and collaborators.

Project Sustainability Describe how the project, and its partnerships and collaborations, will be sustained beyond the project’s period of performance (without grant funds).

Fiscal Plan and Resources Please complete the Budget and Justification below and ensure that you have included Critical Resources and Infrastructure letters to support the application information (see section 4.9 in the RFA). If needed, add additional rows to the tables. You must fill the SF-424 A Budget Information Non – Construction Programs Form along with this section.

Budget Summary 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. The budget summary table totals must match with the subtotals for each expense category.

Refer to RFA Section 3.6 Allowable and Unallowable Costs and Activities for more information on allowable and unallowable expenses.

applicant and 3rd parties

Personnel

Fringe benefits

Travel

Equipment

Supplies

Contractual

Other (specify)

Direct costs subtotal

Indirect costs

Total budget (direct + indirect)

PERSONNEL

List each person who has a substantive role in the project and the amount of the request and/ or the value of his or her cost share. Personnel costs should be reasonable for the services rendered, conform to the established written policy of your organization, and consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities. For annual salary please provide the salary for each year. Personnel costs do not include the cost for the services of consultants and contractors.

# Comment by Massey, Elijah - MRP-AMS: Staff reported that separating the “justification” for each cost as a separate section following each expense category table were a valuable modification in FY24 to the PN format.

Suggest we consider a similar approach for the FY25 PN.

(# of hours OR

% FTE)

Year 1: $ Year 2: $ Year 3: $

In-Kind: ☐

Year 1: $

Year 3: $

Year 1: $

Year 3: $

In-Kind: ☐

PERSONNEL JUSTIFICATION

For each individual listed in the above table, describe the activities to be completed by name/title including approximately when activities will occur.

Personnel 1: Justification Personnel 2: Justification Personnel 3: Justification Personnel subtotals: $ $

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.

In-Kind: ☐

Fringe benefits subtotals: $ $

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 http://www.gsa.gov.

(airfare, car rental, hotel, meals, mileage, etc.)

Unit of measure (days, nights, miles)

Travelers claiming expense

In-Kind: ☐

Travel subtotals: $ $

CONFORMING WITH YOUR TRAVEL POLICY

☐ By checking this box, I affirm that my organization’s established travel policies will be adhered to when completing the above-mentioned trips in accordance with 2 CFR 200.474 or 48 CFR subpart 31.2, as applicable.

TRAVEL JUSTIFICATION

For each trip listed in the above table, describe the purpose of this trip and how it will achieve the objectives and outcomes of the project. Be sure to include approximately when the trip will occur.

Trip 1: (Approximate Date of Travel MM/YYYY), justification Trip 2: (Approximate Date of Travel MM/YYYY), justification Trip 3: (Approximate Date of Travel MM/YYYY), justification

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 $10,000 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.

In-Kind: ☐

EQUIPMENT JUSTIFICATION

For each Equipment item listed in the above table describe how this equipment will be used to achieve the objectives and outcomes of the project.

Equipment 1: Justification Equipment 2: JustificationEquipment subtotals: $ $

Equipment 3: Justification

Supplies List the materials, supplies, and fabricated parts costing less than $10,000 per unit and describe how they will support the purpose and goal of the proposal.

Item

In-Kind: ☐

SUPPLIES JUSTIFICATION

Describe the purpose of each supply listed in the table above purchased and how it is necessary for the completion of the project's objective(s) and outcome(s).

Supply 1: Justification Supply 2: JustificationSupplies subtotal: $ $ Supply 3: Justification

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.

☐ Contract ☐ Subaward

In-Kind: ☐

In-Kind: ☐

In-Kind: ☐

CONFORMING WITH YOUR PROCUREMENT STANDARDS

By checking this box, I affirm that my organization followed the same policies and procedures used for procurements from non-federal sources, which reflect applicable State and local laws and regulations and conform to the Federal laws and standards identified in 2 CFR §200.317 through §200.327, as applicable. If the contractor(s)/consultant(s) is/are not already selected, I affirm that my organization will follow the same requirements.

CONTRACTUAL JUSTIFICATION Comment by Lakins, Velma - MRP-AMS: Should we add language that signed copies of the contractual agreement will be required, if awarded.

Provide for each of your real or anticipated contractors listed above a description of the project activities each will accomplish to meet the objectives and outcomes of the project. Each section should also include a justification for why contractual/consultant services are to be used to meet the anticipated outcomes and objectives. Include timelines for each activity. If contractor employee and consultant hourly rates of pay exceed the salary of a GS-15 step 10 Federal employee in your area, provide a justification for the expenses. This limit does not include fringe benefits, travel, indirect costs, or other expenses. If awarded, copies of the contractual agreements will be required.

Contractual 1: Justification Contractual 2: Justification Contractual 3: Justification Contractual subtotal: $ $ By checking this box, I affirm that my organization followed the same policies and procedures used for procurements from non-federal sources, which reflect applicable State and local laws and regulations and conform to the Federal laws and standards identified in HYPERLINK "http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=988467ba214fbb07298599affd94f30a&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML" \l "sg2.1.200_1316.sg3"2 CFR §200.317 through §200.327, as applicable. If the contractor(s)/consultant(s) is/are not already selected, I affirm that my organization will follow the same requirements.

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.

Item

In-Kind: ☐

OTHER JUSTIFICATION

Describe the purpose of each item listed in the table above and how it is necessary for the completion of the project's objective(s) and outcome(s).

Other 1: Justification

Indirect Indirect costs (also known as “facilities and administrative costs”—defined at 2 CFR §200.1) 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 3.7 of the RFA.

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.

Program income total: $

Qualifying for Priority Consideration Food Access Research Atlas (Atlas) http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas.aspx Once you enter the Atlas, check one of the four the map layer(s) that applies to the proposal’s targeted community.

Zoom in on the map to identify your community. Clicking on your targeted area will produce the census tract and additional information about the locale. In the example below, the dark green area qualifies as low income and low access, and the census tract would be 35047957600.

Equal Opportunity Statement USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Paperwork Burden Statement According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 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. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 4 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

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