COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND EXTENSION
SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
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.
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.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
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.
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.
Preapplication Coordination: The standard
application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and approved by OMB 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 as implemented by 7 CFR Part 3019 or
A-102 as implemented by 7 CFR 3016. The standard application forms as
furnished by the Federal agency and approved by OMB 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.
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.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Standard reporting as required by OMB
Circular Nos. A- 102 and A-110 as implemented by 7 CFR Part 3016 or 7 CFR Part
3019, respectively.
Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB
Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local
Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that
expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a
single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal
entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt
from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No.
A-133.
Records: Standard records required by OMB
Circular Nos. A-102 and A-110 as implemented by 7 CFR Part 3016 or 7 CFR Part
3019, respectively, must be maintained for 3 years.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 12-1500-0-1-352.
Obligations: FY 01 $8,638,952; FY 02 est
$11,700,000; and FY 03 est $11,700,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $8,000
to $1,752,250. Average: $855,540.
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.
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.
INFORMATION 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. Telephone:
(202) 720- 7948.
Web Site Address: http://www.reeusda.gov
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Support of the National Sustainable Agriculture Program; Mainstreaming
Principles of Sustainability in Agriculture; National Rollout of Agricultural
Entrepreneurs Curriculum; and Evaluation of National Sustainable Agriculture
Research and Education Projects.
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?
