FEDERAL AGENCY:

COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AUTHORIZATION:

Smith-Lever Act, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 341-349; District of Columbia Public Postsecondary Education Reorganization Act, Public Law 93-471; Food and Agriculture Act of 1977, as amended; Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978, Section 1361(c), Public Law 95-306; Public Law 95-113, 7 U.S.C. 301n; Public Law 97-98; Agriculture and Food Act of 1981; Food Security Act of 1985, as amended, Public Law 99-198; Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, as amended, Public Law 102-624; Improving America's Schools Act of 1994, as amended, Public Law 103-382; Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Public Law 104-127; Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998, Public Law 105-185; Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000, Public Law 106-224.

To help people improve their lives and communities through an educational process that uses scientific knowledge focused on issues critical to the economic, agricultural, societal, health/safety, and environmental progress of all Americans. Identify and solve their farm, home, and community problems through the practical application of research findings of USDA and the land-grant colleges and Universities. The Cooperative Extension System is a future-oriented, self-renewing, national educational network providing excellence in programs that focus on contemporary issues and needs of people.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Formula Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Federal funding is made available to 1862, 1890, and 1994 Land-grant Institutions, which, through State and county extension service personnel, or by direct efforts provide educational and technical assistance to individuals, communities, organizations and other Federal and State authorized agencies for programs in the food and agricultural sciences. A facilities program, which is only authorized to fund projects at the 1890 Institutions for construction, renovation, planning and development of new facilities, and equipment is also conducted.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   By law, Extension programs authorized and appropriated under the Smith-Lever Act are made to the designated land- grant institutions in the 50 States and Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, and the District of Columbia, and are administered by the Director of the State Extension Service and the Administrator - 1890 and Tuskegee Extension Programs.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Extension Programs at the State and county level are available to the general public.

Credentials/Documentation:   None. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Pre-application Coordination:   This program is excluded from coverage under Executive Order 12372 and OMB Circular No. A-102.

Application Procedure:   Institutions or States submits plans of work to the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, USDA, for approval. Other eligible recipients prepare project proposals for review and approval of Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service-USDA. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. Eligible recipients will be notified by CSREES of any changes in the requirements for preparation of the plan of work.

Award Procedure:   Payments are made to State land-grant institutions basically on a formula basis for the approved Plan of Work. Project proposals are also awarded to these recipients based on competition or merit review.

Deadlines:   Eligible recipients will be notified by CSREES of any changes in plan of work or reporting deadlines or related requirements.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Plans of work are approved or returned for revision or additional information within 60 days after receipt. Project proposals are reviewed, approved, and awarded within 60 days of designated submission dates.

Appeals:   Not applicable.

Renewals:   Not applicable.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Smith-Lever Act Section 3(b) and 3(c), and Section 1444 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 formula funds are distributed to States based on farm and rural population. Funds authorized under Section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program are allocated based on population below the poverty level. The source for both of these distributions is the last preceding decennial census at the time an additional amount is first appropriated. Formula funds provided under the Smith-Lever Act Section 3(b) and (c) and under Section 1444 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 are matched as required in Public Law 105-185. The statistical factor used for eligibility does not apply to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Formula Grants are a continuing program each year. Funds are made available through the electronic transfer system. States are permitted to carry over unexpended balances to the next year.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Annual financial and statistical reports are furnished to the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service- USDA, by the State Extension Service and other recipients.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," non federal 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:   Financial records on annual expenditures are maintained in accordance with university or State Extension Service regulations.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   12-0502-0-1-352.

Obligations:   (Payments) FY 01 $416,190,005; FY 02 $422,243,340; and FY 03 est $422,243,340.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   $890,000 to $19,962,000; Average: $7,210,000.

Examples: (1) A university worked with community residents to assess needs and strengths, develop resources and implement customized programs to reduce developmental risks for child and youth; (2) Funding has helped one State implement a pro-active educational approach to pest control to minimize the likelihood of potential problems for apples, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, field corn, turfgrass, several nursery crops and greenhouse crops.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Many different publications are available from State and county extension offices. Most are free, some are sold at nominal cost. In addition, Department of Agriculture publications may be obtained from the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; Department of Agriculture. Washington, DC 20250.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:   Deputy Administrator, Partnerships, Cooperative State Research Education, and Extension Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-5623.

Web Site Address:   http://www.reeusda.gov