Ann McCambridge

Phone: 317-419-0200

Email: amccambridge@isda.in.gov

Specialty Crop Block

Grant Program 2018Application Procedures

1. Eligibility

2. Application Process

3. Grant Proposal

4. Budget

5. Grant Management

6. Questions

Eligibility

• Must reside in Indiana, or prove funding provides a direct benefit to Indiana

• Non-Profit and For-Profits

• State and Local Organizations

• Local, State, Federal and Tribal Governments

• Universities

Funds cannot benefit a single organization, institution, or individual

Eligible examples: • Watermelons, melon (all types), squash, collards, ginger, ginseng, hops, begonia, ivy, cut flowers, shade trees, shrubs, etc.

Ineligible examples: • Field corn, white corn, soybeans, livestock products , dairy, wheat, alfalfa, hay, tobacco, etc.

Note: Not a complete list.A complete table of USDA eligible and ineligible specialty crops for this grant can be found on the following USDA website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/specialty-crop

• Research• Promotion• Marketing• Nutrition• Trade Enhancement• Food Security• Food Safety • Plant Health Programs• Education• Product Development

• Buy Local Programs• Increased Consumption• Increased Innovation• Improved Efficiency and

Reduced Costs of Distribution Systems

• Environmental Concerns and Conservation

• Developing Cooperatives

• Increasing child and adult knowledge and consumption of specialty crops

• Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems

• Developing “Good Agricultural Practices”, “Good Handling Practices”, “Good Manufacturing Practices”

• Investing in Specialty Crop Research

• Enhancing food safety• Developing new and

improved seed varieties and specialty crops

• Pest and disease control• Development of organic and

sustainable production practices

• Improving food access in underserved communities

Acceptable:• A non-profit requests funding to contract with a university to conduct research on the feasibility of planting, cultivating, and growing a specialty crop in a particular area; results of which can be shared with many growers throughout the state.

Not Acceptable• A specialty crop producer requests funds to promote their cherries at a roadside stand.

• Advertising and Public Relations

• Advisory Councils • Special Purpose

Equipment • Compensation for

Personal Services • Communication Costs• Travel• Materials and Supplies

• Meetings and Conferences

• Publication and Printing Costs

• Rental Costs of Buildings and Equipment

• Training Costs• Consultant Services or

Subcontractors

• Capital Expenditures for General Purpose Equipment

• Bad Debts• Lobbying, Political, Other

Government activities • Entertainment and Alcohol• Grantee Tuition • Contributions or donations

• Contributions to a Contingency Reserve or any Similar Provision

• Fines, Penalties, Damages, and other Settlements Resulting from Violations

• Organized Fund Raising • Costs of Investment

Council

Application Process

March 2017 – Announcement of grant program

May 10, 2017 – Full proposals must be received electronically by ISDA no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

May 2017– Internal ISDA review and selection process

June 7, 2017 – Indiana State Plan due to USDA-AMS

September 2017 – USDA notifies ISDA of approval of funding for grant projects included in the state plan

September – October 2017 – Applicants notified of status

October – December 2017 - Grant contracts are prepared for grant recipients.

January 1, 2018 – Projects may commence once contract is signed by both parties.

• Project Grant Amountso Minimum: $5,000o Maximum: None

• Project Durationo No more than 2 yearso January 2019 – December 31, 2020

Competitive Grant Proposal Process

1• ISDA Requests Grant Proposals

2• Applicants Submit Grant Proposals

3

4

• Review Board Scores and Recommendations

• USDA Approves

Grant Proposal

• Instructions on each section of the proposal

• Please follow the Application Template precisely. Click here to access the application.

• USE THE MANUAL! o It will show what TO DO o and what NOT to do.

• When in doubt, contact ISDA.

Cover Sheet

Organizational Bio

Abstract

Project Purpose

Potential Impact

Expected Measurable Outcomes

Work Plan

Project Oversight

Sustainability Plan

Project Commitment

Multi-State Projects (if applicable)

Organizational Budget

Proposal Budget

Program Income

Alternative Project Funding

Attachments: Resumes

Accounting Statements

Letters of Support

• One page maximum

Include:o Years of existenceo Qualifications o Accomplishments

• Project summary, must be 250 words or less

• Suitable for dissemination to the public

• Include:◦ The lead agency◦ Need for the project◦ Brief description of the goals and outcomes◦ Plan for evaluating and measuring the success of the

project

• What is the specific issue, problem or need that the project will address?

• Why is the project important and timely?

• Does the project have the potential to enhance the competitiveness of non-specialty crops?o Be careful here! If your answer is YES: o Explain how you will make sure funds are only spent on specialty crops

AND/OR o Use matching funds to pay for the % spent on non-specialty crops

Will the project build on previously funded SCBG project?• No – Indicate this

• Yes – Indicated how it is different and how it will build on previous project. • Summary of the accomplishments of the previous project that

have led you to seek continued funding. • State when and how many years you have received the grant.• Why is the continuation needed?

• Who are the specialty crop beneficiaries of the project?

• How many specialty crop beneficiaries will the project benefit?

• How will the project benefit the specialty crop beneficiaries?

• What is the potential economic impact of the project if it can be estimated?

• If applicable, how will the project have a multi-state or national impact?

• Use the template: narrative and/or table format.

• Describe at least one distinct, quantifiable and measurable outcome.

• Provide a timeframe when outcome measures will be achieved.

• How will performance towards meeting the outcomes be monitored?

• For further information on expected measurable outcomes, please see the Outcomes Model or this Educational Bulletin.

Narrative Example 1:Increase the number of specialty crop farmers following Good Agricultural Practices (GOAL) from the current 18 (BENCHMARK) to 55 in two years (TARGET) measured by the number of GAP audits passed (PERFORMANCE MEASURE).

Narrative Example 2: Increase fruit and vegetable purchases (GOAL) from the current level of $2.50 (BENCHMARK) to at least $3 per enrolled student in awarded schools in one year (TARGET) measured by bi-annual school reports (PERFORMANCE MEASURE).

Goal Performance Measure

Benchmark Target

Increase the number of specialty

crop farmers following Good

Agricultural Practices

Number of GAPaudits passed

18 specialty crop farmers

55 specialty crop farmers

Increase fruit and vegetable purchases

in schools in one year

Bi-annual schoolreports

$2.50 per enrolled student

$3 per enrolledstudent

• What activities are necessary to accomplish the project’s objectives?

• Who will do the work of each activity?

• When will each activity be accomplished?

• Contact stakeholders prior to including them in proposal.

• List who supports this project and why.

• Attach letters of support at end of application.

ISDA reserves the right to contact indicated partners for confirmation of roles and/or support outlined in the

proposal.

• Contact ISDA prior to proposing a multi-state project.

• Make sure you include:o How will all States collaborate effectively?

o Has each State participating in the project submitted the project in its State Plan?

o Which State is taking the coordinating role?

• List future plans for project without the use of SCBG.

• How do you plan on moving forward if grant is not received?

• Is this project even possible without SCBG funds?

• Would the project survive with a reduced budget?

Budget

• Use the template provided in application.

• Know allowable and unallowable costs.

• Narrative of your organization’s accounting practices.

• Provide detail about your accounting and procurement policy.

• Attach a balance sheet and income statement at the end of application.

• Persons employed by the grantee organization with SCBG funds SHOULD BE listed in this category.

• Those employed elsewhere would be listed as subcontractors or consultants in the “CONTRACTUAL” category.

• Duties must directly relate to the project plan.

• Indicate their title, percent of full time equivalents (FTE), and corresponding salary.

• Be specific and include the following: • Destination• purpose of trip• number of trips• number of people traveling• number of days traveling, est. airfare costs• estimated ground transportation costs• estimated lodging and meal costs• total estimated mileage costs.

• Travel must be the least expensive mode available.

• Must follow Indiana State Travel Policy.

• Special Purpose Equipment:• 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.

NOTE: Expenditures for “equipment” less than $5,000 each are considered “supplies”

• All tangible personal property that does not qualify as EQUIPMENT o e.g. office supplies o e.g. educational or lab supplies

• For non-typical materials and supplies items, include a brief narrative of how this fits with the project.

• Provide an itemized list and estimate the dollar amount for each item.

• Items such as long distance charges, postage, fax and express mail or more appropriately listed under the “OTHER” category.

• Be sure to use a competitive contracting process.

• Follow rates allowed in GS-14, Step 10. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-systems/general-schedule/

May include: • Conference/Meeting Costs

• Communications Costs

• Speaker/Trainer Fees

• Publication Costs

• Data Collection

May be: • Income from fees for services performed • The sale of commodities or items fabricated under an award • Registration fees for conferences or seminars

Be sure to: • Indicate the nature or source of program income (e.g.,

registration fees). • Estimate the amount of program income. • Describe how the income will be used to further enhance

the competitiveness of specialty crops.

If program income is earned, it must be used for • Expanding the project or program • Continuing the project or program after the grant or sub grant support ends • Supporting other projects or programs that further the broad objectives of the grant program.

Program income may only be expended on allowable costs that solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.

The MOST IMPORTANT aspect of

the proposal is that the project

solely enhances the

competitiveness of

specialty crops in Indiana.

Proposal Review

GoalTo fund projects that produce the highest degree of measurable benefits to Indiana specialty crop in relation to each dollar spent.

Two Levels of Review1. Evaluation: External2. Screening: Internal

PREVIOUS PERFORMANCE AND ORGANIZATION • ISDA will score on previous reporting timeliness and

cooperativeness of the organizational lead of the project.

• The ISDA will also look at overall organization of application.

Grant Management

• Sign Grant Award Agreement with the ISDA

• Submit quarterly reports on grant activities and financials

• Manage the grant financial records and documentation

• Complete project

Required from SCBG Program Manager and/or USDA for the following: • Revision of the scope of work

• Budget changes

• Purchase of equipment

• International travel

• Contractor/Consultant rates in excess of GS-14, Step 10.https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-systems/general-schedule/

• Grantee must commit to and complete the project

• Grantee must comply with federal requirements

• Amendment request required foro Scope of work changes o Budget changes

• Notify ISDA of any problems or delays

• Track all program income

Grantee must be capable of proper financial management:

• Understanding allowable and unallowable costs

• Managing project budget

• Documenting expenses

• Invoicing

• Every project will receive at least two site visits during the life of the grant.

• Projects which include purchase of equipment (as defined in 7 CFR 3016.32), must be able to confirm that this equipment is on site.

• Site visits will consist of an initial conference with key staffo Review of the following: records, policies, procedures, etc.o Interviews with relevant staff oObservation of project activities (if possible)o Physical observation of any equipment purchased with

grant fundso Exit conference with key staff to discuss results

• More information will be included in the acceptance packet

Ann McCambridgePhone: 317-419-0200

Email: amccambridge@isda.in.gov

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