Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States

The purpose of this cooperative agreement program is to deliver crop insurance education and information to U.S. agricultural producers in certain, designated States that have been historically underserved with respect to crop insurance. The States, collectively referred to as Targeted States, are Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

The goal of the Targeted States Program is to ensure that producers in the Targeted States are fully informed of existing and emerging crop insurance products.

Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture, universities, non-profit agricultural organizations, and other public or private organizations with the capacity to lead a local program of crop insurance education for farmers and ranchers in a Targeted State. Individuals are eligible applicants. Although an applicant may be eligible to compete for an award based on its status as an eligible entity, other factors may exclude an applicant from receiving federal assistance under this program (e.g. debarment and suspension; a determination of non-performance on a prior contract, cooperative agreement, grant or partnership; a determination of a violation of applicable ethical standards).

The ultimate beneficiaries of this education program are agricultural producers in the Targeted States. Applicants receiving awards will ensure that such producers receive effective crop insurance education and information either directly or through agribusiness professionals that can impart crop insurance information to producers.

Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to deliver crop insurance education and information programs to producers in the written narratives and statements of work that accompany applications.

Entities receiving funding will use funds to (a) plan a local program of crop insurance education for agricultural producers, (b) develop and assemble instructional materials, (c) promote awareness for crop insurance and educational opportunities, (d) deliver crop insurance educational activities to agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals, and (e) document project activities. Applicants may propose additional uses of funds that meet the objectives of the program. RMA will be substantially involved in the management and direction of the project. Indirect costs allowed for projects submitted under this program will be limited to ten percent of total direct costs of the cooperative agreement. Funds may not be used to (a) plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building or facility including a processing facility, (b) purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment, (c) repair or maintain privately owned vehicles, (d) pay for the preparation of the cooperative agreement application, (e) fund political activities, (f) purchase alcohol, give-away promotional items, or entertainment, (g) lend money to support farming or agricultural business operation or expansion, (h) pay entrance fees, conference registration fees, or other expenses to conferences or similar activities for any person not on the agenda or not working at an event booth promoting RMA programs or the RMA funded project. These expenses will not be paid for the recipient's Board of Directors, family members or similar entities, (i) pay costs associated 501(c) applications, and (j) Fund any activities prohibited in 2 CFR Parts 200 and 400, as applicable.

Funding will normally be available for projects that will begin in September and will continue for up eighteen months. Method of releasing federal funds is through the submission and certifying of the SF-270 on an as needed basis. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: The Recipient submits an SF-270 with backup documentation to request funds on an as needed basis. Before a request is approved it is reviewed and certified by the Grants and Agreement Specialist.

Application Procedures that are required during the application process are outlined in the Request for Application.

Eligible applicants must complete and submit a valid application to RMA Headquarters by the application deadline. All applicants must submit applications in compliance with the criteria outlined in the Request for Applications (RFA) by the deadline specified in the Notice. Applications must be submitted electronically. Hard copy applications are not acceptable. Program application materials may be downloaded from the RMA website at www.rma.usda.gov.

Each application will be evaluated using a two-part process. First, each application will be screened by RMA personnel to ensure that it meets the requirements listed in the Request for Applications announcement. Second, a review panel will consider the merits of all applications that meet the requirements in the announcement. The panel will examine and score applications based on the evaluation criteria contained in the Request for Applications. Other review panel information is provided in the Request for Applications announcement. Following its review, the panel will report to the Manager of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) with a listing of the recommended applicants to receive cooperative agreements. The Manager of FCIC will make the final determination on applications that will be awarded funding.

Deadlines and other key dates are listed in the Request for Applications. Applicants may contact headquarters or a regional office if they have additional questions.

No provision is provided in this program for a renewal.

No provision is provided in this program for an appeal.