Risk Management Education Partnerships

To deliver training and information as well as outreach activities in the management of production, marketing, financial, legal and human risk to the U.S. agricultural producers with a priority to producers of crops not insurable with Federal crop in

Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture, universities, non-profit agricultural organization and other public or private organizations with the capacity to lead a local program of risk management education for farmers and ranchers in an RMA Region. Individuals are not 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 with a priority of producers of crops not insurable by Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and undeserved commodities. Applicants receiving awards will ensure that such producers receive effective risk management education, information and outreach activities that can impact the risk management decision making.

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 risk management education and outreach activities for agricultural producers, (b) develop and assemble instructional materials, (c) promote awareness for risk management and education opportunities, (d) deliver education activities to agricultural producers and agribusiness professional, (e) document project activities, (f) report activities and spending as directed by RMA, and (g) measure the results of the training and/or activities. Applicants may propose additional uses of funds that meet the objective 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 to eighteen months. Method of releasing federal funds is through the submission and certifying of the SF-270 on an as-needed basis.

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.

The project period is one year; there are no renewals under this program.

No provision is provided in this program for an appeal.