Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program-Farm Bill (SCBGP-FB), 5561-5563 [2010-2218]

Download as PDF 5561 Notices Federal Register Vol. 75, No. 22 Wednesday, February 3, 2010 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 Forest Service Information Collection; Disposal of Mineral Materials Forest Service, USDA. Notice; Request for Comment. AGENCY: ACTION: jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of a currently approved information collection; Disposal of Mineral Materials. DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before April 5, 2010 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Ivette Torres, Liaison Specialist, Minerals and Geology Management, Mail Stop 1126, 1601 N. Kent Streetƒ5th Floor, Forest Service, USDA, Arlington, VA 22209. Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 703–605–1575 or by e-mail to: ietorres@fs.fed.us. The public may inspect comments received at the Office of the Director, Minerals and Geology Management, 1601 N. Kent Streetƒ5th Floor, Forest Service, USDA, Arlington, VA during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 703–605– 4792 to facilitate entry to the building. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivette Torres, Minerals and Geology Management Staff at 703–605–4792 to facilitate entry to the building. Individuals who use TDD may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800– 877–8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Disposal of Mineral Materials. OMB Number: 0596–0081. VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:34 Feb 02, 2010 Jkt 220001 Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2010. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection. Abstract: The Mineral Materials Act of 1947, as amended, and the Multiple Use Mining Act of 1955, as amended, authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to dispose of petrified wood and common varieties of sand, stone, gravel, pumice, pumicite, cinders, clay, and other similar materials on lands administered by the USDA Forest Service. The collected information enables the Forest Service to document planned operations, to prescribe the terms and conditions the Agency deems necessary to protect surface resources, and to affect a binding contract agreement. Forest Service employees will evaluate the collected information to ensure that entities applying to mine mineral materials are financially accountable and will conduct their activities in accordance with the mineral regulations at Part 228, subpart C of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Individuals, organizations, companies, or corporations interested in mining mineral materials on National Forest System lands may contact their local Forest Service office to inquire about opportunities, to learn about areas on which such activities are permitted, and to request form FS–2800–9 (Contract of Sale for Minerals Materials). Interested parties are asked to provide information that includes the purchaser’s name and address, the location and dimensions of the area to be mined, the kind of material that will be mined, the quantity of material to be mined, the sales price of the mined material, the payment schedule, the amount of the bond, and the period of the contract. If this information is not collected, the Forest Service would not comply with Federal regulations and operations to mine mineral materials could cause undue damage to surface resources. Estimate of Annual Burden: 2.5 hours. Type of Respondents: Mineral materials operators. Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 4,125. Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 10,313. Comment Is Invited: Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this collection PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 of information is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. All comments received in response to this notice, including names and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. Comments will be summarized and included in the submission request toward Office of Management and Budget approval. Dated: January 29, 2010. Gloria Manning, Associate Deputy Chief, NFS. [FR Doc. 2010–2236 Filed 2–2–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. No. AMS–FV–09–0072] 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 $55,000,000 in grant funds, less USDA administrative costs, to solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. SCBGP–FB funds are authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the Farm Bill). State departments of agriculture are encouraged to develop their grant applications promptly. 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 E:\FR\FM\03FEN1.SGM 03FEN1 jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES 5562 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 22 / Wednesday, February 3, 2010 / Notices 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. DATES: Applications must be received between January 29, 2010, and not later than July 29, 2010. 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– FB is authorized under Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note) and amended under Section 10109 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110–246 (the Farm Bill). SCBGP–FB is currently implemented under 7 CFR Part 1291 (published March 27, 2009; 74 FR 13313). The SCBGP–FB assists State departments of agriculture in solely enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture, nursery crops (including floriculture). AMS encourages states to develop projects solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops pertaining to the following issues affecting the specialty crop industry: Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops; improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems; assisting all entities in the specialty crop distribution chain in developing ‘‘Good Agricultural Practices’’, ‘‘Good Handling Practices’’, ‘‘Good Manufacturing Practices’’, and in cost-share arrangements for funding audits of such systems for small farmers, packers and processors; investing in specialty crop research, including research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes; enhancing food safety; developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops; pest and disease control; and development of organic and sustainable production practices. States may wish to consider submitting grants that increase the competitiveness of specialty crop farmers, including Native American and disadvantaged farmers. Increasing competitiveness may include developing local and regional food VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:34 Feb 02, 2010 Jkt 220001 systems, and improving food access in underserved communities. Projects that support biobased products and bioenergy and energy programs, including biofuels and other alternative uses for agricultural and forestry commodities (development of biobased products) should see the USDA energy Web site at: https:// www.energymatrix.usda.gov/ for information on how to submit those projects for consideration to the energy programs supported by USDA. Also, agricultural cooperatives, producer networks, producer associations, local governments, nonprofit corporations, public health corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers’ market authorities and Tribal governments that are interested in submitting projects that support farmers’ markets that do not solely enhance the competitiveness of eligible specialty crops should visit the Farmers’ Market Promotion Program (FMPP) Web site at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/fmpp for information on how to submit those projects for consideration to FMPP. Each interested State department of agriculture must submit an application for SCBGP–FB grant funds anytime between February 3, 2010 and on or before July 29, 2010, through https:// www.grants.gov. AMS will work with each State department of agriculture and provide assistance as necessary. Other organizations interested in participating in this program should contact their local 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 SCBGP–FB 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) One SF–424 ‘‘Application for Federal Assistance’’. (b) SF–424A ‘‘Budget Information— Non-Construction Programs’’ showing the budget for each project. (c) One SF–424B ‘‘Assurances—NonConstruction Program.’’ (d) Completed applications must also include one State plan to show how grant funds will be utilized to solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. The State plan shall include the following: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (1) Cover page and granting processes. Include the point of contact and lead agency for administering the plan. Provide a description of the affirmative steps taken to conduct outreach to socially disadvantaged farmers and beginning farmers. Describe how these groups were identified and the methods used to reach out to them. Identify if an award was made to either a socially disadvantaged farmer or a beginning farmer. If steps were not taken to conduct outreach to these groups, provide a justification for why not. Provide a description of the affirmative steps taken to conduct a competitive grant process. Include the steps taken to conduct outreach to specialty crop stakeholders to receive and consider public comment to identify their priority needs in enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops. Identify the methods used to solicit proposals that meet specialty crop stakeholders’ needs, including any focus on multi-state projects. Include a description of the process used to review proposals in a fair and equitable manner. State departments of agriculture may also provide a copy of the issued request for proposals. If a competitive grant process was not used, provide a justification why not. (2) Project title, partner organization name, abstract. Include the title of the project, the partner organization’s name that plans to oversee the project, and an abstract of 200 or fewer words for each project. (3) Project purpose. For each project, clearly state the purpose of the project. Describe the specific issue, problem, interest, or need to be addressed. Explain why the project is important and timely. If funding is being directed at a state marketing program, describe how the state will ensure that funding is being used solely to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops as defined in 7 CFR 1291.2(n). If a project builds on a previous Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) or SCBGP–FB project, indicate clearly how the new project compliments previous work. For each project, indicate if the project will be or has been submitted to or funded by another Federal or State grant program. (4) 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. (5) Expected Measurable Outcomes. For each project, describe at least one distinct, quantifiable, and measurable outcome-oriented objective that directly and meaningfully supports the project’s E:\FR\FM\03FEN1.SGM 03FEN1 jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 22 / Wednesday, February 3, 2010 / Notices purpose. The measurable outcomeoriented objective 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. Outcome measures may be long term that exceed the grant period. Describe how performance toward meeting outcomes will be monitored. For each project, include a performancemonitoring plan to describe the process of collecting and analyzing data to meet the outcome-oriented objectives. (6) Work Plan. For each project, explain briefly the activities that will be performed to accomplish the objectives of the project. Be clear about who will do the work. Include appropriate time lines. (7) Budget Narrative. Provide in sufficient detail information about the budget categories listed on SF–424A for each project to demonstrate that grant funds are being expended on eligible grant activities that meet the purpose of the program. Indirect costs for this grant period should not exceed 10 percent of any proposed budget. Provide a justification if administrative costs are higher than 10 percent. (8) Project Oversight. Describe the oversight practices that provide sufficient knowledge of grant activities to ensure proper and efficient administration for each project. (9) Project Commitment. Describe how all grant partners commit to and work toward the goals and outcome measures of each proposed project(s). (10) Multi-state Projects. If the project is a multi-state project, describe how the states are going to collaborate effectively with related projects with one state assuming the coordinating role. Indicate 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 a base grant of $181,210.00 to solely 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 (2008 National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) cash receipt data for the 50 States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 2007 Census of Agriculture cash receipts for Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and 2002 Census of Agriculture cash receipts for American Samoa) specialty crop production data in all States whose applications are accepted. VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:34 Feb 02, 2010 Jkt 220001 The amount of the base grant plus value of production available to each State department of agriculture shall be: (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 .................... $433,614.25 $197,114.26 $218,019.57 $1,166,388.43 $270,128.00 $17,127,418.72 $768,209.85 $442,964.50 $251,106.99 $181,210.00 $4,755,910.19 $1,007,860.65 $183,095.84 $414,690.78 $1,030,188.08 $643,888.15 $397,831.21 $275,455.74 $281,914.52 $272,434.98 $351,899.77 $418,723.36 $430,505.24 $500,051.53 $1,404,392.60 $797,130.77 $292,545.23 $341,505.95 $291,949.91 $352,417.68 $230,612.76 $259,755.08 $834,447.41 $394,228.29 $1,244,624.63 $1,139,042.15 $661,274.92 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 mailing hard copy documents. Original signatures are not needed on the SF–424 and SF–424B when applying through https://www.grants.gov and applicants are not required to submit any paper documents to AMS. Applicants are strongly urged to familiarize themselves with the Federal grants Web site and begin the application process well before the application deadline. For information on how to apply electronically, please consult https:// www.grants.gov/applicants/ get_registered.jsp. AMS will send an email confirmation when applications are received by the AMS office. 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: January 28, 2010. Rayne Pegg, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2010–2218 Filed 1–29–10; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Notice of a Meeting of the Northeast Oregon Forests Resource Advisory $182,642.19 Committee (RAC) $670,646.08 $368,159.36 $1,750,251.40 $1,061,441.53 $398,251.58 $224,083.53 $521,099.28 $208,568.67 $517,731.71 $1,785,844.77 $308,658.51 $228,276.36 $182,394.46 $510,241.75 $3,712,628.26 $213,306.50 $1,048,311.07 $205,910.99 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. AMS will notify the States as to the procedures for applying for the reallocated funds. AMS requires applicants to submit SCBGP–FB applications electronically through the central Federal grants Web site, https://www.grants.gov instead of PO 00000 5563 Sfmt 4703 Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committees Act (Pub. L. 92–463), the Northeast Oregon Forest Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet on February 22–23, 2010 in La Grande, Oregon. The purpose of the meeting is to meet as a Committee to discuss selection of Title II projects under Public Law 110–343, H.R. 1424, the Reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and community SelfDetermination Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C 500 note; Pub. L. 106–393), also called ‘‘Payments to States’’ Act. DATES: The meeting will be held on February 22 from 9 a.m to 5 p.m., and February 23, 2010 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Blue Mountain Conference Center, 404 12th Street, La Grande, Oregon. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kurt Wiedenmann, Designated Federal Official, USDA, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, La Grande Ranger E:\FR\FM\03FEN1.SGM 03FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 3, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5561-5563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-2218]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-FV-09-0072]


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 $55,000,000 in grant funds, less USDA administrative 
costs, to solely enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. SCBGP-
FB funds are authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (the Farm Bill). State departments of agriculture are encouraged 
to develop their grant applications promptly. 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

[[Page 5562]]

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.

DATES: Applications must be received between January 29, 2010, and not 
later than July 29, 2010.

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-FB is authorized under Section 101 of 
the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note) 
and amended under Section 10109 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
Act of 2008, Public Law 110-246 (the Farm Bill). SCBGP-FB is currently 
implemented under 7 CFR Part 1291 (published March 27, 2009; 74 FR 
13313).
    The SCBGP-FB assists State departments of agriculture in solely 
enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops. Specialty crops 
are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, 
horticulture, nursery crops (including floriculture).
    AMS encourages states to develop projects solely to enhance the 
competitiveness of specialty crops pertaining to the following issues 
affecting the specialty crop industry: Increasing child and adult 
nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops; improving 
efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems; assisting all 
entities in the specialty crop distribution chain in developing ``Good 
Agricultural Practices'', ``Good Handling Practices'', ``Good 
Manufacturing Practices'', and in cost-share arrangements for funding 
audits of such systems for small farmers, packers and processors; 
investing in specialty crop research, including research to focus on 
conservation and environmental outcomes; enhancing food safety; 
developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops; pest 
and disease control; and development of organic and sustainable 
production practices.
    States may wish to consider submitting grants that increase the 
competitiveness of specialty crop farmers, including Native American 
and disadvantaged farmers. Increasing competitiveness may include 
developing local and regional food systems, and improving food access 
in underserved communities.
    Projects that support biobased products and bioenergy and energy 
programs, including biofuels and other alternative uses for 
agricultural and forestry commodities (development of biobased 
products) should see the USDA energy Web site at: https://www.energymatrix.usda.gov/ for information on how to submit those 
projects for consideration to the energy programs supported by USDA. 
Also, agricultural cooperatives, producer networks, producer 
associations, local governments, nonprofit corporations, public health 
corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers' 
market authorities and Tribal governments that are interested in 
submitting projects that support farmers' markets that do not solely 
enhance the competitiveness of eligible specialty crops should visit 
the Farmers' Market Promotion Program (FMPP) Web site at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/fmpp for information on how to submit those projects 
for consideration to FMPP.
    Each interested State department of agriculture must submit an 
application for SCBGP-FB grant funds anytime between February 3, 2010 
and on or before July 29, 2010, through https://www.grants.gov. AMS will 
work with each State department of agriculture and provide assistance 
as necessary.
    Other organizations interested in participating in this program 
should contact their local 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 SCBGP-FB 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) One SF-424 ``Application for 
Federal Assistance''.
    (b) SF-424A ``Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs'' 
showing the budget for each project.
    (c) One SF-424B ``Assurances--Non-Construction Program.''
    (d) Completed applications must also include one State plan to show 
how grant funds will be utilized to solely enhance the competitiveness 
of specialty crops. The State plan shall include the following:
    (1) Cover page and granting processes. Include the point of contact 
and lead agency for administering the plan. Provide a description of 
the affirmative steps taken to conduct outreach to socially 
disadvantaged farmers and beginning farmers. Describe how these groups 
were identified and the methods used to reach out to them. Identify if 
an award was made to either a socially disadvantaged farmer or a 
beginning farmer. If steps were not taken to conduct outreach to these 
groups, provide a justification for why not. Provide a description of 
the affirmative steps taken to conduct a competitive grant process. 
Include the steps taken to conduct outreach to specialty crop 
stakeholders to receive and consider public comment to identify their 
priority needs in enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops. 
Identify the methods used to solicit proposals that meet specialty crop 
stakeholders' needs, including any focus on multi-state projects. 
Include a description of the process used to review proposals in a fair 
and equitable manner. State departments of agriculture may also provide 
a copy of the issued request for proposals. If a competitive grant 
process was not used, provide a justification why not.
    (2) Project title, partner organization name, abstract. Include the 
title of the project, the partner organization's name that plans to 
oversee the project, and an abstract of 200 or fewer words for each 
project.
    (3) Project purpose. For each project, clearly state the purpose of 
the project. Describe the specific issue, problem, interest, or need to 
be addressed. Explain why the project is important and timely. If 
funding is being directed at a state marketing program, describe how 
the state will ensure that funding is being used solely to enhance the 
competitiveness of specialty crops as defined in 7 CFR 1291.2(n). If a 
project builds on a previous Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) 
or SCBGP-FB project, indicate clearly how the new project compliments 
previous work. For each project, indicate if the project will be or has 
been submitted to or funded by another Federal or State grant program.
    (4) 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.
    (5) Expected Measurable Outcomes. For each project, describe at 
least one distinct, quantifiable, and measurable outcome-oriented 
objective that directly and meaningfully supports the project's

[[Page 5563]]

purpose. The measurable outcome-oriented objective 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. Outcome 
measures may be long term that exceed the grant period. Describe how 
performance toward meeting outcomes will be monitored. For each 
project, include a performance-monitoring plan to describe the process 
of collecting and analyzing data to meet the outcome-oriented 
objectives.
    (6) Work Plan. For each project, explain briefly the activities 
that will be performed to accomplish the objectives of the project. Be 
clear about who will do the work. Include appropriate time lines.
    (7) Budget Narrative. Provide in sufficient detail information 
about the budget categories listed on SF-424A for each project to 
demonstrate that grant funds are being expended on eligible grant 
activities that meet the purpose of the program. Indirect costs for 
this grant period should not exceed 10 percent of any proposed budget. 
Provide a justification if administrative costs are higher than 10 
percent.
    (8) Project Oversight. Describe the oversight practices that 
provide sufficient knowledge of grant activities to ensure proper and 
efficient administration for each project.
    (9) Project Commitment. Describe how all grant partners commit to 
and work toward the goals and outcome measures of each proposed 
project(s).
    (10) Multi-state Projects. If the project is a multi-state project, 
describe how the states are going to collaborate effectively with 
related projects with one state assuming the coordinating role. 
Indicate 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 a base grant of 
$181,210.00 to solely 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 (2008 National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS) cash receipt data for the 50 States and the Commonwealth 
of Puerto Rico, 2007 Census of Agriculture cash receipts for Guam, the 
U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands, and 2002 Census of Agriculture cash receipts 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...........................................      $433,614.25
 (2) Alaska............................................      $197,114.26
 (3) American Samoa....................................      $218,019.57
 (4) Arizona...........................................    $1,166,388.43
 (5) Arkansas..........................................      $270,128.00
 (6) California........................................   $17,127,418.72
 (7) Colorado..........................................      $768,209.85
 (8) Connecticut.......................................      $442,964.50
 (9) Delaware..........................................      $251,106.99
(10) District of Columbia..............................      $181,210.00
(11) Florida...........................................    $4,755,910.19
(12) Georgia...........................................    $1,007,860.65
(13) Guam..............................................      $183,095.84
(14) Hawaii............................................      $414,690.78
(15) Idaho.............................................    $1,030,188.08
(16) Illinois..........................................      $643,888.15
(17) Indiana...........................................      $397,831.21
(18) Iowa..............................................      $275,455.74
(19) Kansas............................................      $281,914.52
(20) Kentucky..........................................      $272,434.98
(21) Louisiana.........................................      $351,899.77
(22) Maine.............................................      $418,723.36
(23) Maryland..........................................      $430,505.24
(24) Massachusetts.....................................      $500,051.53
(25) Michigan..........................................    $1,404,392.60
(26) Minnesota.........................................      $797,130.77
(27) Mississippi.......................................      $292,545.23
(28) Missouri..........................................      $341,505.95
(29) Montana...........................................      $291,949.91
(30) Nebraska..........................................      $352,417.68
(31) Nevada............................................      $230,612.76
(32) New Hampshire.....................................      $259,755.08
(33) New Jersey........................................      $834,447.41
(34) New Mexico........................................      $394,228.29
(35) New York..........................................    $1,244,624.63
(36) North Carolina....................................    $1,139,042.15
(37) North Dakota......................................      $661,274.92
(38) Northern Mariana Islands..........................      $182,642.19
(39) Ohio..............................................      $670,646.08
(40) Oklahoma..........................................      $368,159.36
(41) Oregon............................................    $1,750,251.40
(42) Pennsylvania......................................    $1,061,441.53
(43) Puerto Rico.......................................      $398,251.58
(44) Rhode Island......................................      $224,083.53
(45) South Carolina....................................      $521,099.28
(46) South Dakota......................................      $208,568.67
(47) Tennessee.........................................      $517,731.71
(48) Texas.............................................    $1,785,844.77
(49) Utah..............................................      $308,658.51
(50) Vermont...........................................      $228,276.36
(51) Virgin Islands....................................      $182,394.46
(52) Virginia..........................................      $510,241.75
(53) Washington........................................    $3,712,628.26
(54) West Virginia.....................................      $213,306.50
(55) Wisconsin.........................................    $1,048,311.07
(56) Wyoming...........................................      $205,910.99
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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. 
AMS will notify the States as to the procedures for applying for the 
reallocated funds.
    AMS requires applicants to submit SCBGP-FB applications 
electronically through the central Federal grants Web site, https://www.grants.gov instead of mailing hard copy documents. Original 
signatures are not needed on the SF-424 and SF-424B when applying 
through https://www.grants.gov and applicants are not required to submit 
any paper documents to AMS. Applicants are strongly urged to 
familiarize themselves with the Federal grants Web site and begin the 
application process well before the application deadline. For 
information on how to apply electronically, please consult https://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp. AMS will send an email 
confirmation when applications are received by the AMS office.
    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: January 28, 2010.
Rayne Pegg,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-2218 Filed 1-29-10; 11:15 am]
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