March 30, 2020

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is committed to working with our applicant community and active grant recipients during this unprecedented time and is implementing the following flexibilities.

AMS has extended the application deadline for the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program and the Regional Food System Partnerships Program until May 26.

In addition, AMS has communicated with its current grant recipients and partners, including state and territorial applicants to the Specialty Crop Block Grant, about administrative and financial flexibilities for those affected by loss of operational capacity, increased costs, or need for project adaptations due to COVID-19.

AMS is offering flexibilities for current grant recipients in all AMS grant programs on a case-by-case basis to ensure the success of their projects, while aligning efforts with 2 CFR §200 requirements.  This includes changes to project activities necessitated by market and operational disruptions.  An Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo (M-20-17) also allows AMS to offer flexibility to perform administrative, financial, and regulatory requirement exceptions to provide relief to grant recipients.  These exceptions are time-limited and will be reassessed by OMB within 90 days.  The specifics of these flexibilities have been communicated directly to current grant recipients.

We appreciate your patience. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the AMS Grants Team at AMSGrants@usda.gov.