Stakeholder Listening Session and Request for Information on the Value-Added Producer Grant Program, 47284-47286 [2021-18136]
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47284
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 24, 2021 / Notices
print, audiotape, American Sign
Language, etc.) should contact the
responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET
Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and
TTY) or contact USDA through the
Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.
Additionally, program information may
be made available in languages other
than English.
To file a program discrimination
complaint, complete the USDA Program
Discrimination Complaint Form, AD–
3027, found online at How to File a
Program Discrimination Complaint and
at any USDA office or write a letter
addressed to USDA and provide in the
letter all of the information requested in
the form. To request a copy of the
complaint form, call (866) 632–9992.
Submit your completed form or letter
to USDA by: (1) Mail: U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20250–9410; (2) fax: (202) 690–7442;
or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider,
employer, and lender.
Paul Kiecker,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2021–18210 Filed 8–23–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of the Secretary
Fiscal Year 2021 Raw Cane Sugar
Tariff-Rate Quota Increase and
Extension of the Entry Period
Office of the Secretary, USDA.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Office of the Secretary of
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (the
Secretary) is providing notice of an
increase in the fiscal year (FY) 2021 raw
cane sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) of
90,100 metric tons raw value (MTRV)
and an extension of the TRQ entry
period.
SUMMARY:
DATES:
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Souleymane Diaby, Multilateral Affairs
Division, Trade Policy and Geographic
Affairs, Foreign Agricultural Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop
1070, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20250–1070; by
telephone (202) 720–2916; or by email
Souleymane.Diaby@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 9,
2020, the Secretary established the FY
2021 TRQ for raw cane sugar at
1,117,195 MTRV, the minimum to
which the United States is committed
16:43 Aug 23, 2021
Jkt 253001
Jason Hafemeister,
Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Trade and
Foreign Agricultural Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2021–18194 Filed 8–23–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–10–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Applicable: August 24, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
under the World Trade Organization
(WTO) Uruguay Round Agreements.
Pursuant to Additional U.S. Note 5 to
Chapter 17 of the U.S. Harmonized
Tariff Schedule (HTS) and Section 359k
of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of
1938, as amended, the Secretary has
authority to modify the raw and refined
sugar WTO TRQs. The Secretary gives
notice today of an increase in the
quantity of raw cane sugar eligible to
enter at the lower rate of duty during FY
2021 by 90,100 MTRV. The conversion
factor is 1 metric ton raw value equals
1.10231125 short tons raw value. With
this increase, the overall FY 2021 raw
sugar TRQ is now 1,207,295 MTRV.
Raw cane sugar under this quota must
be accompanied by a certificate for
quota eligibility. The Office of the U.S.
Trade Representative (USTR) will
allocate this increase among supplying
countries and customs areas.
The Secretary also today announces
that all sugar entering the United States
under the FY 2021 raw sugar TRQ will
be permitted to enter U.S. Customs
territory through October 31, 2021, a
month later than the usual last entry
date. Additional U.S. Note 5(a)(iv) of
Chapter 17 of the HTS provides: ‘‘(iv)
Sugar entering the United States during
a quota period established under this
note may be charged to the previous or
subsequent quota period with the
written approval of the Secretary.’’
These actions are being taken after a
determination that additional supplies
of raw cane sugar are required in the
U.S. market. USDA will closely monitor
stocks, consumption, imports and all
sugar market and program variables on
an ongoing basis and may make further
program adjustments during FY 2021 if
needed.
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
[Docket No. RBS–21–BUSINESS–019]
Stakeholder Listening Session and
Request for Information on the ValueAdded Producer Grant Program
Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Request for information.
AGENCY:
The Rural BusinessCooperative Service (RBCS) is hosting a
listening session and opening a request
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
for information for public input about
the Value-Added Producer Grant
(VAPG) program. The VAPG program
helps agricultural producers enter into
value-added activities related to the
processing and marketing of new
products. The goals of this program are
to generate new products, create and
expand marketing opportunities, and
increase producer income. RBCS is
currently considering how it can
streamline the application process,
clarify eligibility requirements
concerning food safety, reduce the
burden for meeting requirements, and
implement such requirements.
DATES: The listening session will be
held on:
October 6, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
ET
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/
register/574045542162812683
Comments must be submitted by
11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
on https://www.regulations.gov.
ADDRESSES: Federal eRulemaking Portal:
Go to https://www.regulations.gov and,
in the ‘‘Search’’ box, type in the Docket
No. RBS–21–BUSINESS–0019. A link to
the Notice will appear. You may submit
a comment here by selecting the
‘‘Comment’’ button or you can access
the ‘‘Docket’’ tab, select the ‘‘Notice,’’
and go to the ‘‘Browse & Comment on
Documents’’ Tab. Here you may view
comments that have been submitted as
well as submit a comment. To submit a
comment, select the ‘‘comment’’ button,
complete the required information, and
select the ‘‘Submit Comment’’ button at
the bottom. Information on using
Regulations.gov, including instructions
for accessing documents, submitting
comments, and viewing the docket after
the close of the comment period, is
available through the site’s ‘‘FAQ’’ link
at the bottom. Comments on this
information collection must be received
by October 25, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg
York, Program Management Division,
Rural Business-Cooperative Service,
United States Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW, MS 3226, Room 5801—South,
Washington, DC 20250–3250, or call
202–720–1400, or email cpgrants@
wdc.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview of VAPG
The VAPG program is authorized
under section 231 of the Agriculture
Risk Protection Act of 2000 (Pub. L.
106–224), as amended by section 10102
of the Agriculture Improvement Act of
2018 (Pub. L. 115–334) (see 7 U.S.C.
E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM
24AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 24, 2021 / Notices
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1627c). Applicants must adhere to the
requirements contained in the program
regulation, 7 CFR 4284, subpart J. Terms
you need to understand are defined in
7 CFR 4284.902.
The objective of this grant program is
to assist viable Independent Producers,
Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer
and Rancher Cooperatives, and
Majority-Controlled Producer-Based
Businesses in starting or expanding
value-added activities related to the
processing and/or marketing of ValueAdded Agricultural Products. Grants
will be awarded competitively for either
planning or working capital projects
directly related to the processing and/or
marketing of value-added products.
Generating new products, creating and
expanding marketing opportunities, and
increasing producer income are the end
goals of the program. All proposals must
demonstrate economic viability and
sustainability to compete for funding.
Instructions
Response to this notice is voluntary.
Each individual or institution is
requested to submit only one response
as directed in the ADDRESSES section of
this notice. Submission must not exceed
10 pages and fonts must be 12 point or
larger, with a page number on each
page. Responses should include the
name of the person(s) or organization(s)
filing the comment. Comments
containing references, studies, research,
and other empirical data that are not
widely published should include copies
or electronic links of the referenced
materials. Comments containing
profanity, vulgarity, threats, or other
inappropriate language or content will
not be considered. Comments submitted
in response to this notice are subject to
disclosure under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552).
Responses to this notice may also be
posted, without change, on a Federal
website.
Therefore, we request that no business
proprietary information, copyrighted
information, or personally identifiable
information be submitted in response to
this notice. In accordance with FAR 52–
215–3(b), responses to this notice are
not offers and cannot be accepted by the
Government to form a binding contract.
Additionally, the U.S. Government will
not pay for response preparation or for
the use of any information contained in
the response.
To inform the Federal government’s
decision-making process, RBCS now
seeks public input on the following
questions.
1. The Agricultural Improvement Act
of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) added food
safety and food safety equipment as
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:43 Aug 23, 2021
Jkt 253001
eligible use of program funds. RBCS is
seeking feedback on applicant eligibility
requirements as it relates to food safety
and food safety equipment.
a. The 2018 Farm Bill requires food
safety to be an eligible activity in 7 CFR
part 4284 Subpart J. In defining food
safety, what can be included in the
definition to further assist the
applicants with understanding what
qualifies as food safety?
b. The 2018 Farm Bill requires food
safety equipment to be an eligible
expense in 7 CFR part 4284 Subpart J.
What can be included in the definition
of food safety equipment to further
assist the applicants with understanding
what qualifies as food safety equipment?
c. The 2018 Farm Bill allows expenses
relating to costs incurred in obtaining
food safety certifications. Given that
eligible cost must be related to postharvest value-added activities for the
VAPG program, what type of food safety
certifications should be included as
eligible expenses?
d. The 2018 Farm Bill allows for
recipients to make changes and
upgrades to food safety practices. Given
that eligible costs for the VAPG program
must be related to post-harvest valueadded food safety practices, what would
you like to see as eligible uses of funds?
e. The 2018 Farm Bill further states
that a recipient may use not more than
$6,500 of the amount of a grant to
purchase or upgrade equipment to
improve food safety. Given that eligible
cost for the VAPG program must be
related to post-harvest value-added
activities, what would you like to see
included as eligible uses of funds as it
relates to food safety equipment?
f. The 2018 Farm Bill requires that a
reserve be established for food safety
assistance of not more than 25 percent
of the available funds. However, other
statutory reserved fund categories (setaside) such as Beginning Farmer or
Rancher, Socially-Disadvantaged Farmer
or Rancher, and Mid-Tier Value Chain
projects are each currently capped at 10
percent of program funds. Are there any
compelling reasons to establish a food
safety set-aside higher than 10 percent?
2. RBCS is seeking feedback on the
submission of a Business Plan related to
a VAPG project. Currently, the VAPG
program requires the Business Plan be
completed by a Qualified Consultant
and specifically for the proposed valueadded project. However, RBCS has
considered changing this requirement to
allow applicants to prepare their own
Business Plan associated with the valueadded project without the assistance of
a Qualified Consultant. Should an
applicant be allowed to prepare their
own Business Plan without the
PO 00000
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47285
assistance of a Qualified Consultant?
Are there any unforeseen issues with
allowing the applicant to prepare their
own Business Plan?
3. RBCS is seeking feedback for
evaluating and measuring the economic
impact of the program on new and
existing market outcomes related to the
post-harvest value-added activities.
Currently our program measures the
production of value-added products, job
creation, and increases in revenue
return and customer base to the
producer as a result of the value-added
project. Are there other outcomes
related to the value-added project that
RBCS should be measuring?
4. RBCS seeks feedback on when the
application deadline for the program
should be. It is our intention to have a
consistent deadline from year to year,
rather than released at variable times
through a Federal Register Notice. In
keeping with traditional agricultural
production cycles, we are trying to
avoid an application deadline during
production season. What would be an
appropriate application deadline date
for the VAPG program?
Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil
rights laws and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights
regulations and policies, the USDA, its
Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices,
employees, and institutions
participating in or administering USDA
programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, gender
identity (including gender expression),
sexual orientation, disability, age,
marital status, family/parental status,
income derived from a public assistance
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity,
in any program or activity conducted or
funded by USDA (not all bases apply to
all programs). Remedies and complaint
filing deadlines vary by program or
incident.
Program information may be made
available in languages other than
English. Persons with disabilities who
require alternative means of
communication to obtain program
information (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, American Sign Language)
should contact the responsible Mission
Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA
TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600
(voice and TTY); or the Federal Relay
Service at (800) 877–8339.
To file a program discrimination
complaint, a complainant should
complete a Form AD–3027, USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint
Form, which can be obtained online at
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24AUN1
47286
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 24, 2021 / Notices
https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/
ad-3027, from any USDA office, by
calling (866) 632–9992, or by writing a
letter addressed to USDA. The letter
must contain the complainant’s name,
address, telephone number, and a
written description of the alleged
discriminatory action in sufficient detail
to inform the Assistant Secretary for
Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature
and date of an alleged civil rights
violation. The completed AD–3027 form
or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20250–9410; or
(2) Fax: (833) 256–1665 or (202) 690–
7442; or
(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity
provider, employer, and lender.
Karama Neal,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–18136 Filed 8–23–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
[Docket No. RBS–21–BUSINESS–0013]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Stakeholder Listening Sessions and
Request for Information on the
Agriculture Innovation Center
Demonstration Program
Overview of AIC
Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, Department of Agriculture
(USDA).
ACTION: Request for information.
AGENCY:
The Rural BusinessCooperative Service (RBCS) is hosting a
listening session and opening a request
for information for public input about
the Agriculture Innovation Center
Demonstration (AIC) Program. The AIC
program provides grants to Centers that
provide services to agricultural
producers to assist them with marketing
value-added agricultural products.
RBCS is currently considering how it
can streamline the application process,
clarify eligibility requirements and
reduce the burden for meeting them,
revise the merit review process, and
assess the program’s performance.
DATES: The listening session will be
held virtually on: October 5 at 2 p.m.–
4:00 p.m. ET; https://
attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/
3831947973149428235.
Comments must be submitted by
11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
on https://www.regulations.gov.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:43 Aug 23, 2021
Jkt 253001
Federal eRulemaking Portal:
Go to https://www.regulations.gov and,
in the ‘‘Search’’ box, type in the Docket
No. RBS–21–BUSINESS–0013. A link to
the Notice will appear. You may submit
a comment here by selecting the
‘‘Comment’’ button or you can access
the ‘‘Docket’’ tab, select the ‘‘Notice,’’
and go to the ‘‘Browse & Comment on
Documents’’ Tab. Here you may view
comments that have been submitted as
well as submit a comment. To submit a
comment, select the ‘‘comment’’ button,
complete the required information, and
select the ‘‘Submit Comment’’ button at
the bottom. Information on using
Regulations.gov, including instructions
for accessing documents, submitting
comments, and viewing the docket after
the close of the comment period, is
available through the site’s ‘‘FAQ’’ link
at the bottom. Comments on this
information collection must be received
by October 25, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gail
Thuner, Grants Division, Cooperative
Programs, Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, United States Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW, MS 3201, Room 5803—South,
Washington, DC 20250–3250, or call
202–720–1400, or email cpgrants@
wdc.usda.gov.
ADDRESSES:
The AIC Program was authorized in
Section 6402 of the 2002 Farm Bill (Pub.
L. 107–171), as amended by Section
7608 of the 2018 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 115–
334). Terms you need to understand are
defined in 7 CFR 4284.3 and 4284.1004.
The intent of AIC is to provide technical
assistance to agricultural producers to
help them market value-added
agricultural products.
The program currently awards grants
of up to $1,000,000 to Centers that can
provide at least one-third of the project
costs in matching funds and who have
the capability to provide services to
agricultural producers to assist them
with marketing value-added agricultural
products. The types of services that can
be provided include:
• Financial advisory services related to
the development, expansion, or
operation of business owned by an
agricultural producer(s) that will
produce a value-added agricultural
product, as long as the assistance is
not to support forming a joint
marketing effort by a group of
producers, such as a farmers
market, roadside stand, communitysupported agriculture, and online
sales
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
• Process development services,
including:
Æ Engineering services including
scale-up of production systems (not
to include cost of renovating or
constructing a facility or system)
Æ Scale production assessments,
defined as studies that analyze
facilities, including processing
facilities, for potential value-added
activities to determine the size that
optimizes construction and other
cost efficiencies
Æ Systems development
Æ Other technical assistance and
applied research related to
development, implementation,
improvement and operations of
processes and systems to produce
and market a value-added
agricultural product
• Organizational assistance, including
legal and technical advisory
services related to the development,
expansion, or operation of a
business owned by an agricultural
producer(s) that will produce a
value-added agricultural product, as
long as this assistance is not
provided to support forming a joint
marketing effort of food and food
products by a group of producers,
such as a farmers market, roadside
stand, community-supported
agriculture, and online sales
• Outreach assistance, limited to
assistance with connecting an
agricultural producer to a
distribution system, processing
facility, or commercial kitchen
• Technical assistance for product
development (excluding R&D),
where product development has the
following definition: Stages
involved in bringing a product from
idea or concept through
commercial-scale production,
including concept testing,
feasibility and cost analysis,
product taste-testing, demographic
and other types of consumer
analysis, production analysis, and
evaluation of packaging and
labeling options
• Grants of $5,000 or less to agricultural
producers for the above services
• Costs associated with establishing and
operating a Center, such as legal
services, accounting services,
clerical assistance, technical
services, hiring employees,
monitoring contracts, and Board of
Director travel
Centers may also use their matching
funds to provide the following services:
• Business development services, such
as feasibility studies, business plans,
and other types of technical assistance
E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 24, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47284-47286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18136]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
[Docket No. RBS-21-BUSINESS-019]
Stakeholder Listening Session and Request for Information on the
Value-Added Producer Grant Program
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Request for information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS) is hosting a
listening session and opening a request for information for public
input about the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. The VAPG
program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities
related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of
this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing
opportunities, and increase producer income. RBCS is currently
considering how it can streamline the application process, clarify
eligibility requirements concerning food safety, reduce the burden for
meeting requirements, and implement such requirements.
DATES: The listening session will be held on:
October 6, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. ET
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/574045542162812683
Comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
(EST) on https://www.regulations.gov.
ADDRESSES: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and, in the ``Search'' box, type in the Docket No.
RBS-21-BUSINESS-0019. A link to the Notice will appear. You may submit
a comment here by selecting the ``Comment'' button or you can access
the ``Docket'' tab, select the ``Notice,'' and go to the ``Browse &
Comment on Documents'' Tab. Here you may view comments that have been
submitted as well as submit a comment. To submit a comment, select the
``comment'' button, complete the required information, and select the
``Submit Comment'' button at the bottom. Information on using
Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents,
submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the
comment period, is available through the site's ``FAQ'' link at the
bottom. Comments on this information collection must be received by
October 25, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg York, Program Management
Division, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, MS 3226, Room 5801--South,
Washington, DC 20250-3250, or call 202-720-1400, or email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview of VAPG
The VAPG program is authorized under section 231 of the Agriculture
Risk Protection Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-224), as amended by section
10102 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334) (see
7 U.S.C.
[[Page 47285]]
1627c). Applicants must adhere to the requirements contained in the
program regulation, 7 CFR 4284, subpart J. Terms you need to understand
are defined in 7 CFR 4284.902.
The objective of this grant program is to assist viable Independent
Producers, Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer and Rancher
Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Businesses in
starting or expanding value-added activities related to the processing
and/or marketing of Value-Added Agricultural Products. Grants will be
awarded competitively for either planning or working capital projects
directly related to the processing and/or marketing of value-added
products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing
opportunities, and increasing producer income are the end goals of the
program. All proposals must demonstrate economic viability and
sustainability to compete for funding.
Instructions
Response to this notice is voluntary. Each individual or
institution is requested to submit only one response as directed in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice. Submission must not exceed 10 pages
and fonts must be 12 point or larger, with a page number on each page.
Responses should include the name of the person(s) or organization(s)
filing the comment. Comments containing references, studies, research,
and other empirical data that are not widely published should include
copies or electronic links of the referenced materials. Comments
containing profanity, vulgarity, threats, or other inappropriate
language or content will not be considered. Comments submitted in
response to this notice are subject to disclosure under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552). Responses to this notice may
also be posted, without change, on a Federal website.
Therefore, we request that no business proprietary information,
copyrighted information, or personally identifiable information be
submitted in response to this notice. In accordance with FAR 52-215-
3(b), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by
the Government to form a binding contract. Additionally, the U.S.
Government will not pay for response preparation or for the use of any
information contained in the response.
To inform the Federal government's decision-making process, RBCS
now seeks public input on the following questions.
1. The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) added
food safety and food safety equipment as eligible use of program funds.
RBCS is seeking feedback on applicant eligibility requirements as it
relates to food safety and food safety equipment.
a. The 2018 Farm Bill requires food safety to be an eligible
activity in 7 CFR part 4284 Subpart J. In defining food safety, what
can be included in the definition to further assist the applicants with
understanding what qualifies as food safety?
b. The 2018 Farm Bill requires food safety equipment to be an
eligible expense in 7 CFR part 4284 Subpart J. What can be included in
the definition of food safety equipment to further assist the
applicants with understanding what qualifies as food safety equipment?
c. The 2018 Farm Bill allows expenses relating to costs incurred in
obtaining food safety certifications. Given that eligible cost must be
related to post-harvest value-added activities for the VAPG program,
what type of food safety certifications should be included as eligible
expenses?
d. The 2018 Farm Bill allows for recipients to make changes and
upgrades to food safety practices. Given that eligible costs for the
VAPG program must be related to post-harvest value-added food safety
practices, what would you like to see as eligible uses of funds?
e. The 2018 Farm Bill further states that a recipient may use not
more than $6,500 of the amount of a grant to purchase or upgrade
equipment to improve food safety. Given that eligible cost for the VAPG
program must be related to post-harvest value-added activities, what
would you like to see included as eligible uses of funds as it relates
to food safety equipment?
f. The 2018 Farm Bill requires that a reserve be established for
food safety assistance of not more than 25 percent of the available
funds. However, other statutory reserved fund categories (set-aside)
such as Beginning Farmer or Rancher, Socially-Disadvantaged Farmer or
Rancher, and Mid-Tier Value Chain projects are each currently capped at
10 percent of program funds. Are there any compelling reasons to
establish a food safety set-aside higher than 10 percent?
2. RBCS is seeking feedback on the submission of a Business Plan
related to a VAPG project. Currently, the VAPG program requires the
Business Plan be completed by a Qualified Consultant and specifically
for the proposed value-added project. However, RBCS has considered
changing this requirement to allow applicants to prepare their own
Business Plan associated with the value-added project without the
assistance of a Qualified Consultant. Should an applicant be allowed to
prepare their own Business Plan without the assistance of a Qualified
Consultant? Are there any unforeseen issues with allowing the applicant
to prepare their own Business Plan?
3. RBCS is seeking feedback for evaluating and measuring the
economic impact of the program on new and existing market outcomes
related to the post-harvest value-added activities. Currently our
program measures the production of value-added products, job creation,
and increases in revenue return and customer base to the producer as a
result of the value-added project. Are there other outcomes related to
the value-added project that RBCS should be measuring?
4. RBCS seeks feedback on when the application deadline for the
program should be. It is our intention to have a consistent deadline
from year to year, rather than released at variable times through a
Federal Register Notice. In keeping with traditional agricultural
production cycles, we are trying to avoid an application deadline
during production season. What would be an appropriate application
deadline date for the VAPG program?
Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights laws and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its
Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices, employees, and institutions
participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation,
disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived
from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity
conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Program information may be made available in languages other than
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA TARGET
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY); or the Federal Relay Service
at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form,
which can be obtained online at
[[Page 47286]]
https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/ad-3027, from any USDA office, by
calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The
letter must contain the complainant's name, address, telephone number,
and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in
sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
(ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation.
The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410; or
(2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: [email protected].
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Karama Neal,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-18136 Filed 8-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
