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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

10.215:  Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

Objectives:  To facilitate and increase scientific investigation and education in order to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers and toxic materials in agricultural production; to improve management of on-farm resources to enhance productivity, profitability and competitiveness; to promote crop, livestock and enterprise diversification and to facilitate the conduct of research projects in order to study agricultural production systems that are located, in areas that possess various soil, climatic, and physical characteristics; to study farms that have been and continue to be managed using farm production practices that optimize the use of on-farm resources and conservation practices; to take advantage of the experience and expertise of farmers and ranchers through their direct participation and leadership in projects; to transfer practical, reliable and timely information to farmers and ranchers concerning sustainable practices and systems; and to promote a partnership between farmers, nonprofit organizations, agribusiness and public and private research and extension institutions.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

10.215 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  Land-grant colleges or universities, other universities, State agricultural experiment stations, State cooperative extension services, nonprofit organizations, and individuals with demonstrable expertise, or Federal or State governmental entities.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Land-grant colleges or universities, other universities, State agricultural experiment stations, State cooperative extension services, nonprofit organizations, and individuals with demonstrable expertise, or Federal or State governmental entities.

Credentials/Documentation:  Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments and OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions.

10.215 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:  This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program.

Award Procedure:  Regional technical committees will review, rank and prioritize proposals received from public and private organizations and make recommendations for funding to the regional administrative councils. Regional administrative councils will approve proposals for funding and associated plans of work and submit them to USDA. Research and education subcommittee on sustainable agriculture will review plans of work and the Department will give final approval.

Deadlines:  Contact the Headquarters office for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  From 90 to 180 days.

Appeals:  None.

Renewals:  None.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  The primary selection process will be done by the regional technical committees and administrative councils, with subsequent approval by USDA. Criteria used at the regional level include: (1) Does the proposed work fulfill the intent of Congress and Departmental policy, as articulated in guidelines prepared by CSREES? (2) Is the subject matter highly relevant to producers in this region with regard to finding profitable low input methods and systems of production? (3) Are specific provisions made for presenting in readily usable form those findings that are directly applicable to producers? (4) Do the various categories of public and private organizations have a meaningful opportunity to participate in shaping and implementing the program?

Examples of Funded Projects:  A funded project has helped farms use rotations to boost corn profits by $30 to $115 per acre, while protecting the environment. The rotation systems eliminate the need for corn rootworm insecticide, saving $15 to $20 per acre. When farmers used a 3-year rotation of soybeans, winter wheat with clover, and corn, the corn yields were boosted by 20 to 25 bushels per acre. This approach also reduced the need for commercial nitrogen fertilizer by an average of 30 percent.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  $8,000 to $1,752,250; $855,540.

10.215 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 10.001 Agricultural Research: Basic and Applied Research;
• 10.200 Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants; ;
• 10.203 Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations Under the Hatch Act;
• 10.205 Payments to 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Tuskegee University;
• 10.206 Grants for Agricultural Research: Competitive Research Grants;
• 10.207 Animal Health and Disease Research;
• 10.250 Agricultural and Rural Economic Research;
• 10.500 Cooperative Extension Service;
• 10.652 Forestry Research.

10.215 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

The program is a major catalyst and facilitator of alternative agricultural systems for the future. Programs are designed to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to minimize environmental degradation; improve and increase low-input farm management to enhance productivity and profitability; and promote crop and livestock enterprise diversification.

10.215 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION SERVICE, (DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE )

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants.

Obligations:  FY 99 $7,488,000; FY 00 est $7,488,000; and FY 01 est $9,828,000.

Budget Account Number:  12-1500-0-1-352.

Authorization:  National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985, Public Law 99-198, Sections 1461-1471, 7 U.S.C. 4701-4710; Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, Section 1621, 7 U.S.C. 5811.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Sections 1472 and 1473A of the National Agricultural Research Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended; 7 CFR Part 3015, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations; 7 CFR Part 3017, Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Government wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants); 7 CFR Part 3018, New Restrictions on Lobbying; and 7 CFR Part 3019, Uniform Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education and Other Nonprofit Organizations.

10.215 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  None.

Headquarters Office:  Deputy Administrator, Economic and Community Systems, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Phone: (202) 720-7948. (Home Page)

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

10.215 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  There are no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Agreements will be supported for periods of 1 to 5 years. Funds are released by the electronic transfer system and reimbursement by Treasury check.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Funds may not be used to pay indirect costs or tuition. Funds may be used for transportation, per diem, salaries, office supplies, printing, and other direct costs for conducting approved activities.

10.215 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Standard reporting as required by OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-110.

Audits:  Audits will be conducted in accordance with guidelines established in the revised OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," and implemented in 7 CFR Part 3052.

Records:  Standard records as required in OMB Circular Nos. A-110 and A-102 must be maintained for 3 years.