Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program-Farm Bill (SCBGP-FB), 39278-39280 [E8-15646]

Download as PDF 39278 Notices Federal Register Vol. 73, No. 132 Wednesday, July 9, 2008 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES July 3, 2008. The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250– 7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720–8958. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:15 Jul 08, 2008 Jkt 214001 the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. National Agricultural Statistics Service Title: Livestock Slaughter. OMB Control Number: 0535–0005. Summary of Collection: The primary function of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare and issue current official State and national estimates of crop and livestock production, disposition and prices. General authority for data collection activities is granted under U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204. This statute specifies the ‘‘The Secretary of Agriculture shall procure and preserve all information concerning agriculture which he can obtain * * * by the collection of statistics * * * and shall distribute them among agriculturists’’. Information from federally and nonfederally inspected slaughter plants are used to estimate total red meat production. NASS will use a Federallyand non-Federally-inspected livestock slaughter survey to collect data. Need and Use of the Information: NASS will combine the survey information collected from both types of plants to estimate total red meat production, consisting of the number of head slaughtered plus live and dressed weights of cattle, calves, hogs and sheep. Accurate and timely livestock estimates provide USDA and the livestock industry with basic data to project future meat supplies and producer prices. Agricultural economists in both the public and private sectors use this information in economic analysis and research. Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Farms. Number of Respondents: 1,800. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Weekly, Monthly. Total Burden Hours: 1,640. Charlene Parker, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E8–15600 Filed 7–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–20–P PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. No. AMS–FV–08–0059; FV–08–380] Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program—Farm Bill (SCBGP–FB) Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the availability of approximately $10 million in grant funds, less USDA administrative costs, to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. The funds announced under this program (SCBGP–FB) are separate from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds announced by AMS on March 5, 2008. SCBGP–FB funds are authorized by the recently enacted Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2007 Farm Bill). The application process to apply for the SCBGP–FB funds will parallel those currently found in 7 CFR part 1290. Regulations to implement the amendments made in the 2007 Farm Bill will be published in the near future. State departments of agriculture are encouraged to develop their grant applications promptly. The 2007 Farm Bill requires USDA to obligate the grant funds under this program by the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2008, which necessitates a short application period. State departments of agriculture interested in obtaining grant program funds are invited to submit applications to USDA. State departments of agriculture, meaning agencies, commissions, or departments of a State government responsible for agriculture within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to apply. State departments of agriculture are encouraged to involve industry groups, academia, and community-based organizations in the development of applications and the administration of projects. DATES: Applications must be received not later than September 8, 2008. E:\FR\FM\09JYN1.SGM 09JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 132 / Wednesday, July 9, 2008 / Notices Applications may be sent to: SCBGP, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0235, Room 2077 South Building, Washington, DC 20250–0235. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Trista Etzig, Phone: (202) 690–4942, email: trista.etzig@usda.gov or your State department of agriculture listed on the SCBGP and SCBGP–FB Web site at https://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SCBGP is authorized under Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note) and is currently implemented under 7 CFR Part 1290 (published September 11, 2007; 71 FR 53303). Section 10109 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110–246 (the 2007 Farm Bill), amends the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004. AMS anticipates issuing regulations in the near future to implement the amendments made in the 2007 Farm Bill. The SCBGP and SCBGP–FB assist State departments of agriculture in enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops. ADDRESSES: Farm Bill 2007 Changes Section 10109 the 2007 Farm Bill amended the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 by adding Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as eligible States and horticulture to the definition of specialty crop. Also, the minimum base grant each State is eligible to receive was amended to an amount that is equal to the higher of $100,000 or include 1⁄3 of 1 percent of the total amount of funding made available for that fiscal year. AMS anticipates issuing regulations in the near future to implement the amendments made in the 2007 Farm Bill. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES SCBGP–FB Under the SCBGP–FB, specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture). Examples of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops include, but are not limited to: Food safety, food security, nutrition, trade enhancement, education, research, promotion, marketing, plant health programs, ‘‘buy local’’ programs, increased consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, and developing cooperatives. VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:10 Jul 08, 2008 Jkt 214001 Each interested State department of agriculture is to submit one application on or before September 8, 2008 to the USDA contact noted in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Applications will only be accepted for funding under this Notice. State departments of agriculture who have not yet applied for the fiscal year 2008 SCBGP grant funds (published March 5, 2008; 73 FR 11859) will not be able to apply for both fiscal year 2008 funds in one application. The deadline for funding under the previously announced SCBGP remains March 5, 2009. The deadline for funding under this Notice is September 8, 2008. As a result of the 2007 Farm Bill, in fiscal year 2008 AMS will be administering two separate programs to assist State departments of agriculture in enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops. While similar, the SCBGP and SCBGP–FB are distinct with different definitions and separate deadlines. Other organizations interested in participating in this program should contact their State department of agriculture. State departments of agriculture specifically named under the authorizing legislation should assume the lead role in SCBGP–FB projects, and use cooperative or contractual linkages with other agencies, universities, institutions, and producer, industry or community-based organizations as appropriate. Additional details about the SCBGP– FB application process for all applicants are available at the AMS Web site: https://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/. To be eligible for a grant, each State department of agriculture’s application shall be clear and succinct and include the following documentation satisfactory to AMS: (a) Completed applications must include an SF–424 ‘‘Application for Federal Assistance’’. (b) Completed applications must include one State plan to show how grant funds will be utilized to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. SCBGP–FB grant funds will be awarded for projects of up to 3 years duration. An application that builds on a previously funded SCBGP project may also be submitted. In such cases, the State plan should indicate clearly how the project compliments previous work. The state plan shall include the following: (1) Cover Page. Include the lead agency for administering the plan and an abstract of 200 words or less for each proposed project. (2) Project Purpose. Clearly state the specific issue, problem, interest, or need to be addressed. Explain why each project is important and timely. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 39279 (3) Potential Impact. Discuss the number of people or operations affected, the intended beneficiaries of each project, and/or potential economic impact if such data are available and relevant to the project(s). (4) Financial Feasibility. For each project, provide budget estimates for the total project cost. Indicate what percentage of the budget covers administrative costs. Administrative costs should not exceed 10 percent of any proposed budget. Provide a justification if administrative costs are higher than 10 percent. (5) Expected Measurable Outcomes. Describe at least two distinct, quantifiable, and measurable outcomes that directly and meaningfully support each project’s purpose. The outcome measures must define an event or condition that is external to the project and that is of direct importance to the intended beneficiaries and/or the public. (6) Goal(s). Describe the overall goal(s) in one or two sentences for each project. (7) Work Plan. Explain briefly how each goal and measurable outcome will be accomplished for each project. Be clear about who will do the work. Include appropriate time lines. Expected measurable outcomes may be long term that exceed the grant period. If so, provide a timeframe when long term outcome measure will be achieved. (8) Project Oversight. Describe the oversight practices that provide sufficient knowledge of grant activities to ensure proper and efficient administration. (9) Project Commitment. Describe how all grant partners commit to and work toward the goals and outcome measures of the proposed project(s). (10) Multi-State Projects. If a project is a multi-state project, describe how the States are going to collaborate effectively with related projects. Each State participating in the project should submit the project in their State plan indicating which State is taking the coordinating role and the percent of the budget covered by each State. Each State department of agriculture that submits an application that is reviewed and approved by AMS is to receive $100,000 to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. In addition, AMS will allocate the remainder of the grant funds based on the proportion of the value of specialty crop production in the state in relation to the national value of specialty crop production using the latest available (2006 National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) cash receipt data for the 50 States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 2002 Census of Agriculture E:\FR\FM\09JYN1.SGM 09JYN1 39280 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 132 / Wednesday, July 9, 2008 / Notices for Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and 2003 Census of Agriculture for American Samoa) specialty crop production data in all states whose applications are accepted. The amount of the base grant plus value of production available to each State department of agriculture shall be: jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES (1) Alabama ........................ (2) Alaska ........................... (3) American Samoa .......... (4) Arizona ......................... (5) Arkansas ....................... (6) California ...................... (7) Colorado ....................... (8) Connecticut .................. (9) Delaware ....................... (10) District of Columbia ... (11) Florida ........................ (12) Georgia ........................ (13) Guam .......................... (14) Hawaii ........................ (15) Idaho ........................... (16) Illinois ......................... (17) Indiana ........................ (18) Iowa ............................ (19) Kansas ......................... (20) Kentucky .................... (21) Louisiana .................... (22) Maine .......................... (23) Maryland .................... (24) Massachusetts ............. (25) Michigan ..................... (26) Minnesota ................... (27) Mississippi ................. (28) Missouri ...................... (29) Montana ...................... (30) Nebraska ..................... (31) Nevada ........................ (32) New Hampshire ......... (33) New Jersey .................. (34) New Mexico ............... (35) New York ................... (36) North Carolina ........... (37) North Dakota .............. (38) Northern Mariana Islands ............................... (39) Ohio ............................ (40) Oklahoma ................... (41) Oregon ........................ (42) Pennsylvania .............. (43) Puerto Rico ................. (44) Rhode Island .............. (45) South Carolina ........... (46) South Dakota .............. (47) Tennessee ................... (48) Texas ........................... (49) Utah ............................ (50) Vermont ...................... (51) Virgin Islands ............. (52) Virginia ....................... (53) Washington ................ (54) West Virginia .............. (55) Wisconsin ................... (56) Wyoming .................... $125,779.00 101,521.00 103,471.00 182,056.00 107,059.00 1,661,482.00 149,569.00 123,322.00 106,240.00 100,000.00 477,169.00 186,541.00 100,273.00 124,765.00 166,690.00 132,565.00 125,311.00 108,541.00 106,240.00 107,995.00 115,054.00 120,202.00 131,941.00 122,932.00 203,740.00 136,231.00 109,771.00 112,168.00 107,566.00 111,817.00 104,017.00 106,279.00 152,260.00 120,670.00 189,895.00 208,537.00 125,740.00 100,117.00 168,562.00 118,798.00 240,868.00 181,081.00 120,631.00 103,978.00 130,264.00 102,418.00 132,370.00 257,521.00 107,878.00 103,861.00 100,078.00 132,643.00 360,013.00 100,780.00 161,035.00 101,755.00 Funds not obligated will be allocated pro rata to the remaining States which applied during the specified grant application period to be solely expended on projects previously approved in their State plan. In such event, a revised application shall be VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:15 Jul 08, 2008 Jkt 214001 submitted, by a date before the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2008, determined by AMS, showing how the additional funds will be utilized to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Applicants submitting hard copy applications should submit one copy of the application package. The SF–424 must be signed (with an original signature) by an official who has authority to apply for Federal assistance. Hard copy applications should be sent only via express mail to AMS at the address noted at the beginning of this notice because USPS mail sent to Washington, DC headquarters is sanitized, resulting in possible delays, loss, and physical damage to enclosures. AMS will send an e-mail confirmation when applications arrive at the AMS office. Applicants who submit hard copy applications are also encouraged to submit electronic versions of their application directly to AMS via e-mail addressed to scblockgrants@usda.gov in one of the following formats: Word (*.doc); or Adobe Acrobat (*.pdf). Alternatively, a standard 3.5″ HD diskette or a CD may be enclosed with the hard copy application. Applicants also have the option of submitting SCBGP–FB applications electronically through the central Federal grants Web site, https:// www.grants.gov instead of mailing hard copy documents. Applicants considering the electronic application option are strongly urged to familiarize themselves with the Federal grants Web site and begin the application process well before the application deadline. SCBGP–FB is listed in the ‘‘Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance’’ under number 10.170 and subject agencies must adhere to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination in all federally assisted programs. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621 note. Dated: July 3, 2008. Lloyd C. Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. E8–15646 Filed 7–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SUMMARY: The Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee will meet in Washington, DC. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the proposed rule for the management of roadless areas on National Forest System lands in the State of Colorado and to discuss other related roadless area matters. The meeting will be held July 30, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 5 pm and July 31, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. DATES: The meeting will be held at the Forest Service, Sidney R. Yates Building, 201 14th Street, SW., Washington, DC. Written comments concerning this meeting should be addressed to Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, EMC, Jessica Call, 201 14th Street, SW., Mailstop 1104, Washington, DC 20024. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to jessicacall@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 202–205–1012. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at the Forest Service, Sidney R.Yates Building, 201 14th Street, SW., Washington, DC. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 202–205–1056 to facilitate entry into the building. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Call, Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee (RACNAC) Coordinator, at jessicacall@fs.fed.us or 202–205–1056. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. The meeting is open to the public and interested parties are invited to attend; building security requires you to provide your name to Jessica Call, RACNAC Coordinator by July 25, 2008. You will need photo identification to enter the building. While meeting discussion is limited to Forest Service staff and Committee members, the public will be allowed to offer written and oral comments for the Committee’s consideration. Attendees wishing to comment orally will be allotted a specific amount of time to speak during a public comment period. To offer oral comment, please contact the RACNAC Coordinator at 202–205– 1056. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\09JYN1.SGM 09JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 9, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39278-39280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-15646]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-FV-08-0059; FV-08-380]


Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the 
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program--Farm Bill (SCBGP-FB)

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the 
availability of approximately $10 million in grant funds, less USDA 
administrative costs, to enhance the competitiveness of specialty 
crops. The funds announced under this program (SCBGP-FB) are separate 
from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds announced by 
AMS on March 5, 2008. SCBGP-FB funds are authorized by the recently 
enacted Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2007 Farm 
Bill). The application process to apply for the SCBGP-FB funds will 
parallel those currently found in 7 CFR part 1290. Regulations to 
implement the amendments made in the 2007 Farm Bill will be published 
in the near future. State departments of agriculture are encouraged to 
develop their grant applications promptly. The 2007 Farm Bill requires 
USDA to obligate the grant funds under this program by the end of the 
fiscal year, September 30, 2008, which necessitates a short application 
period. State departments of agriculture interested in obtaining grant 
program funds are invited to submit applications to USDA. State 
departments of agriculture, meaning agencies, commissions, or 
departments of a State government responsible for agriculture within 
the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to apply. 
State departments of agriculture are encouraged to involve industry 
groups, academia, and community-based organizations in the development 
of applications and the administration of projects.

DATES: Applications must be received not later than September 8, 2008.

[[Page 39279]]


ADDRESSES: Applications may be sent to: SCBGP, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Stop 0235, Room 2077 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-0235.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Trista Etzig, Phone: (202) 690-4942, 
e-mail: trista.etzig@usda.gov or your State department of agriculture 
listed on the SCBGP and SCBGP-FB Web site at https://www.ams.usda.gov/
fv/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SCBGP is authorized under Section 101 of the 
Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note) and is 
currently implemented under 7 CFR Part 1290 (published September 11, 
2007; 71 FR 53303). Section 10109 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
Act of 2008, Public Law 110-246 (the 2007 Farm Bill), amends the 
Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004. AMS anticipates issuing 
regulations in the near future to implement the amendments made in the 
2007 Farm Bill. The SCBGP and SCBGP-FB assist State departments of 
agriculture in enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops.

Farm Bill 2007 Changes

    Section 10109 the 2007 Farm Bill amended the Specialty Crops 
Competitiveness Act of 2004 by adding Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. 
Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as 
eligible States and horticulture to the definition of specialty crop. 
Also, the minimum base grant each State is eligible to receive was 
amended to an amount that is equal to the higher of $100,000 or include 
\1/3\ of 1 percent of the total amount of funding made available for 
that fiscal year. AMS anticipates issuing regulations in the near 
future to implement the amendments made in the 2007 Farm Bill.

SCBGP-FB

    Under the SCBGP-FB, specialty crops are defined as fruits and 
vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops 
(including floriculture). Examples of enhancing the competitiveness of 
specialty crops include, but are not limited to: Food safety, food 
security, nutrition, trade enhancement, education, research, promotion, 
marketing, plant health programs, ``buy local'' programs, increased 
consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced 
costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, 
product development, and developing cooperatives.
    Each interested State department of agriculture is to submit one 
application on or before September 8, 2008 to the USDA contact noted in 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Applications will only be 
accepted for funding under this Notice. State departments of 
agriculture who have not yet applied for the fiscal year 2008 SCBGP 
grant funds (published March 5, 2008; 73 FR 11859) will not be able to 
apply for both fiscal year 2008 funds in one application. The deadline 
for funding under the previously announced SCBGP remains March 5, 2009. 
The deadline for funding under this Notice is September 8, 2008. As a 
result of the 2007 Farm Bill, in fiscal year 2008 AMS will be 
administering two separate programs to assist State departments of 
agriculture in enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops. 
While similar, the SCBGP and SCBGP-FB are distinct with different 
definitions and separate deadlines. Other organizations interested in 
participating in this program should contact their State department of 
agriculture. State departments of agriculture specifically named under 
the authorizing legislation should assume the lead role in SCBGP-FB 
projects, and use cooperative or contractual linkages with other 
agencies, universities, institutions, and producer, industry or 
community-based organizations as appropriate.
    Additional details about the SCBGP-FB application process for all 
applicants are available at the AMS Web site: https://www.ams.usda.gov/
fv/.
    To be eligible for a grant, each State department of agriculture's 
application shall be clear and succinct and include the following 
documentation satisfactory to AMS:
    (a) Completed applications must include an SF-424 ``Application for 
Federal Assistance''.
    (b) Completed applications must include one State plan to show how 
grant funds will be utilized to enhance the competitiveness of 
specialty crops. SCBGP-FB grant funds will be awarded for projects of 
up to 3 years duration. An application that builds on a previously 
funded SCBGP project may also be submitted. In such cases, the State 
plan should indicate clearly how the project compliments previous work. 
The state plan shall include the following:
    (1) Cover Page. Include the lead agency for administering the plan 
and an abstract of 200 words or less for each proposed project.
    (2) Project Purpose. Clearly state the specific issue, problem, 
interest, or need to be addressed. Explain why each project is 
important and timely.
    (3) Potential Impact. Discuss the number of people or operations 
affected, the intended beneficiaries of each project, and/or potential 
economic impact if such data are available and relevant to the 
project(s).
    (4) Financial Feasibility. For each project, provide budget 
estimates for the total project cost. Indicate what percentage of the 
budget covers administrative costs. Administrative costs should not 
exceed 10 percent of any proposed budget. Provide a justification if 
administrative costs are higher than 10 percent.
    (5) Expected Measurable Outcomes. Describe at least two distinct, 
quantifiable, and measurable outcomes that directly and meaningfully 
support each project's purpose. The outcome measures must define an 
event or condition that is external to the project and that is of 
direct importance to the intended beneficiaries and/or the public.
    (6) Goal(s). Describe the overall goal(s) in one or two sentences 
for each project.
    (7) Work Plan. Explain briefly how each goal and measurable outcome 
will be accomplished for each project. Be clear about who will do the 
work. Include appropriate time lines. Expected measurable outcomes may 
be long term that exceed the grant period. If so, provide a timeframe 
when long term outcome measure will be achieved.
    (8) Project Oversight. Describe the oversight practices that 
provide sufficient knowledge of grant activities to ensure proper and 
efficient administration.
    (9) Project Commitment. Describe how all grant partners commit to 
and work toward the goals and outcome measures of the proposed 
project(s).
    (10) Multi-State Projects. If a project is a multi-state project, 
describe how the States are going to collaborate effectively with 
related projects. Each State participating in the project should submit 
the project in their State plan indicating which State is taking the 
coordinating role and the percent of the budget covered by each State.
    Each State department of agriculture that submits an application 
that is reviewed and approved by AMS is to receive $100,000 to enhance 
the competitiveness of specialty crops. In addition, AMS will allocate 
the remainder of the grant funds based on the proportion of the value 
of specialty crop production in the state in relation to the national 
value of specialty crop production using the latest available (2006 
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) cash receipt data for 
the 50 States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 2002 Census of 
Agriculture

[[Page 39280]]

for Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, and 2003 Census of Agriculture for American Samoa) 
specialty crop production data in all states whose applications are 
accepted.
    The amount of the base grant plus value of production available to 
each State department of agriculture shall be:

 
 
 
(1) Alabama............................................      $125,779.00
(2) Alaska.............................................       101,521.00
(3) American Samoa.....................................       103,471.00
(4) Arizona............................................       182,056.00
(5) Arkansas...........................................       107,059.00
(6) California.........................................     1,661,482.00
(7) Colorado...........................................       149,569.00
(8) Connecticut........................................       123,322.00
(9) Delaware...........................................       106,240.00
(10) District of Columbia..............................       100,000.00
(11) Florida...........................................       477,169.00
(12) Georgia...........................................       186,541.00
(13) Guam..............................................       100,273.00
(14) Hawaii............................................       124,765.00
(15) Idaho.............................................       166,690.00
(16) Illinois..........................................       132,565.00
(17) Indiana...........................................       125,311.00
(18) Iowa..............................................       108,541.00
(19) Kansas............................................       106,240.00
(20) Kentucky..........................................       107,995.00
(21) Louisiana.........................................       115,054.00
(22) Maine.............................................       120,202.00
(23) Maryland..........................................       131,941.00
(24) Massachusetts.....................................       122,932.00
(25) Michigan..........................................       203,740.00
(26) Minnesota.........................................       136,231.00
(27) Mississippi.......................................       109,771.00
(28) Missouri..........................................       112,168.00
(29) Montana...........................................       107,566.00
(30) Nebraska..........................................       111,817.00
(31) Nevada............................................       104,017.00
(32) New Hampshire.....................................       106,279.00
(33) New Jersey........................................       152,260.00
(34) New Mexico........................................       120,670.00
(35) New York..........................................       189,895.00
(36) North Carolina....................................       208,537.00
(37) North Dakota......................................       125,740.00
(38) Northern Mariana Islands..........................       100,117.00
(39) Ohio..............................................       168,562.00
(40) Oklahoma..........................................       118,798.00
(41) Oregon............................................       240,868.00
(42) Pennsylvania......................................       181,081.00
(43) Puerto Rico.......................................       120,631.00
(44) Rhode Island......................................       103,978.00
(45) South Carolina....................................       130,264.00
(46) South Dakota......................................       102,418.00
(47) Tennessee.........................................       132,370.00
(48) Texas.............................................       257,521.00
(49) Utah..............................................       107,878.00
(50) Vermont...........................................       103,861.00
(51) Virgin Islands....................................       100,078.00
(52) Virginia..........................................       132,643.00
(53) Washington........................................       360,013.00
(54) West Virginia.....................................       100,780.00
(55) Wisconsin.........................................       161,035.00
(56) Wyoming...........................................       101,755.00
 

    Funds not obligated will be allocated pro rata to the remaining 
States which applied during the specified grant application period to 
be solely expended on projects previously approved in their State plan. 
In such event, a revised application shall be submitted, by a date 
before the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2008, determined by 
AMS, showing how the additional funds will be utilized to enhance the 
competitiveness of specialty crops.
    Applicants submitting hard copy applications should submit one copy 
of the application package. The SF-424 must be signed (with an original 
signature) by an official who has authority to apply for Federal 
assistance. Hard copy applications should be sent only via express mail 
to AMS at the address noted at the beginning of this notice because 
USPS mail sent to Washington, DC headquarters is sanitized, resulting 
in possible delays, loss, and physical damage to enclosures. AMS will 
send an e-mail confirmation when applications arrive at the AMS office.
    Applicants who submit hard copy applications are also encouraged to 
submit electronic versions of their application directly to AMS via e-
mail addressed to scblockgrants@usda.gov in one of the following 
formats: Word (*.doc); or Adobe Acrobat (*.pdf). Alternatively, a 
standard 3.5'' HD diskette or a CD may be enclosed with the hard copy 
application.
    Applicants also have the option of submitting SCBGP-FB applications 
electronically through the central Federal grants Web site, https://
www.grants.gov instead of mailing hard copy documents. Applicants 
considering the electronic application option are strongly urged to 
familiarize themselves with the Federal grants Web site and begin the 
application process well before the application deadline.
    SCBGP-FB is listed in the ``Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance'' under number 10.170 and subject agencies must adhere to 
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination in 
all federally assisted programs.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621 note.

    Dated: July 3, 2008.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E8-15646 Filed 7-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

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