USDA Rural Development Public Service Announcement - Community Economic Development Events, Publications and Funding Opportunities
USDA Rural Development sent this bulletin at 03/16/2016 03:36 PM EDT
In the information below you will find the latest Community Economic Development events, publications and funding opportunities.
FUNDING
Strategic Economic and Community Development
Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) is a new provision from the 2014 Farm Bill that prioritizes projects which support the implementation of multi-jurisdictional plans whose long-term community and economic growth strategies reflect stakeholder collaboration and the unique strengths of rural communities. SECD sets aside up to 10 percent of program funds in Rural Development’s Community Facilities, Water and Environmental Programs, Business & Industry Guaranteed Loans, and Rural Business Development Grants for these purposes.
The New Rural: Innovations in Rural Health Award.
The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust is now taking submissions for the 2016 The New Rural: Innovations in Rural Health Award. In the spirit of the Trust's long history of leading and supporting rural health innovation, we want to encourage and recognize promising work that has the potential to improve the health status of people living in rural communities throughout the state and across the country. We’re looking for original, innovative solutions to drive health improvement in rural communities. These don't have to be finalized projects - we encourage submissions from around the country that highlight new ideas and emerging innovations. Individuals, for-profits, nonprofits and government agencies are welcome to apply. Finalists will receive a $7,500 award and one innovative and inspiring idea will win the New Rural Award and a total of $25,000. All submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 29, 2016. For more information about the award, visit our information page. If you have any questions about the award, please contact Erin Barlow, ruralprize@kbr.org. To learn more about how you can help with our efforts to market the award, please contact the Trust’s Communications Director Nora Ferrell, nora@kbr.org.
Application Deadline: March 15, 2016 – Food Distribution Program Nutrition Education (FDPNE)
USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) seeks applications for the Food Distribution Program Nutrition Education (FDPNE). FDPNE grants provide funds for nutrition education projects to Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and State agencies (SAs) that have a direct agreement with FNS to administer the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. The FY 2016 SNAP Education Plan Guidance is the basis for FDPNE nutrition, gardening, and physical activities. FNS selects components of this guidance for development of FDPNE project requirements. Additional information, including guidance on how to submit an application, is available at Grants.gov.
Application Deadline: March 14, 2016 – Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Sustainable Communities Project
NIFA requests applications for the Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk Sustainable Community Projects (CYFAR SCP) for fiscal year (FY) 2016 to marshal resources of the Land-grant and Cooperative Extension Systems so that, in collaboration with other organizations, they can develop and deliver educational programs that equip youth who are at-risk for not meeting basic human needs with the skills they need to lead positive, productive, and contributing lives. While 1994-designated Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) are not eligible to directly apply at this time, eligible applicants can gain 5 points on their peer review through a real collaboration with a 1994 and an additional 2 points for projects in persistent poverty communities (see Request For Applications, page 31). Example: In 2014, Montana State University partnered with Two Eagle River School on the Flathead Indian Reservation to provide students with training on how to use GPS units, mapping, geocaching, aerial photography, and how to identify invasive plant species from photographs and computer software (2014 Annual Report). Applications may be submitted to Grants.gov.
Application Deadlines: April 6, 2016 – Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Native Americans is seeking applications for 5 funding opportunities
Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance
Program Information ǀ Application
Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance – Esther Martinez Immersion
Program Information ǀ Application
Social and Economic Development Strategies
Program Information ǀ Application
Social and Economic Development Strategies for Alaska
Program Information ǀ Application
Sustainable Employment and Economic Development Strategies (SEEDS) The application period for the 2016 Environmental Education (EE) Grants Program is open. Approximately $2.7 million of funding is available to support locally-focused EE projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate EE practices, methods, or techniques. Through the EE Local Grants Request for Proposals (also known as a solicitation notice), EPA is looking to support locally-focused EE projects that increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues. Projects should promote environmental stewardship and help develop informed, knowledgeable and responsible citizens in the community(ies) in which the project is located. Find background on the EE Grants Program and resources for applicants hereApplication Deadline: May 4, 2016 – AmeriCorps Indian Tribes Grants The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is making over $26 million in grant funding available to strengthen local and regional food systems through the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program, and hosting a series of webinars to help farmers markets, producers groups, and other potential applicants with the grant process. Administered by AMS, the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program provides a combined total of over $26 million in competitive grants, divided equally between the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP). FMPP grants support direct producer-to-consumer marketing projects such as farmers markets, community-supported agriculture programs, roadside stands, and agritourism. LFPP funding supports projects that develop, improve, and expand local and regional food business intermediary supply chain activities, including processing, distribution, aggregation, and storage of locally- or regionally-produced food products.Stakeholder Announcement $62 Million in Grant Funding Available to Assist the Specialty Crop Industry
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is announcing the availability of AmeriCorps Indian Tribes grant funding that will place AmeriCorps members on the ground to help tackle the unique challenges facing Native American communities. The AmeriCorps funding opportunity for federally-recognized Indian Tribes is designed to target resources on a core set of challenges: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families. Successful applicants will be notified in July 2016.
Application Deadline: April 8, 2016 – Environmental Education Grants (Environmental Protection Agency)
Program Information ǀ Application
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is making more than $62 million in grant funding available to support specialty crop producers through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). SCBGP grants are allocated to U.S. states and territories for projects that help support specialty crop growers, including locally grown fruits and vegetables, through research and other programs to increase demand. Those interested in applying should do so directly through their state departments of agriculture, which administer a competitive grant process. A listing of the SCBGP’s state contacts, and how to apply with state application due dates, can be found at www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp. State departments of agriculture must submit their applications to AMS by July 6, 2016.
IRS Accepting Applications for Part-Year Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Grants in Identified Underserved Areas
The Internal Revenue Service is accepting applications for a part-year Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) matching grant from qualified organizations, in certain identified geographic areas, to provide representation to low income taxpayers and education about taxpayer rights and responsibilities to individuals who speak English as a second language.
The supplemental application period will close on April 1, 2016.
View the IRS Press Release.
View the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Grant Announcement.
U.S. Department of Justice | Second Chance Act Technology-Based Career Training Program for Incarcerated Adults and Juveniles FY 2016 Competitive Grant Announcement
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applicants for funding under the Second Chance Act to provide mentoring grants to nonprofit organizations and Indian tribes. This program furthers the Department’s mission by providing services and programs to help facilitate the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals as they return to their communities.
This solicitation is aimed at promoting more effective and successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals through the utilization of comprehensive, evidence-based wrap-around reentry plans that address the identified needs of the individuals and are supported by trained mentors. These needs are often related to housing, employment, substance abuse, and mental health.
Deadline: April 12, 2016
U.S. Department of Justice | Second Chance Act Comprehensive Community-Based Adult Reentry Program Utilizing Mentors FY 2016 Competitive Grant Announcement
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applicants for funding under the Second Chance Act to provide mentoring grants to nonprofit organizations and Indian tribes. This program furthers the Department’s mission by providing services and programs to help facilitate the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals as they return to their communities.
This solicitation is aimed at promoting more effective and successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals through the utilization of comprehensive, evidence-based wrap-around reentry plans that address the identified needs of the individuals and are supported by trained mentors. These needs are often related to housing, employment, substance abuse, and mental health.
A core component of programs supported under this solicitation is the utilization of trained mentors who are assigned to program participants. The assigned mentors then support the individuals’ preparations for release and help to link them to programs and services in the community that address their identified needs. In addition, mentors provide emotional support and encouragement to individuals returning from incarceration, hold them accountable throughout the treatment process and play active roles in promoting positive behavioral changes.
Deadline: April 12, 2016
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | Community Economic Development Healthy Food Financing Initiative Projects
This FOA has been modified to update the closing date listed on Grants.gov. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS) will award up to $9.5 million in Community Economic Development (CED) discretionary grant funds to Community Development Corporations (CDCs) for community-based efforts to improve the economic and physical health of people in areas designated as food deserts. OCS seeks to fund projects that implement strategies to increase healthy food access, foster self-sufficiency for low-income families, and create sustained employment opportunities in low-income communities. To do this, the CED-HFFI program will provide technical and financial assistance for healthy food ventures designed to: (1) improve access to, and purchase and consumption of healthy, affordable foods; and (2) address the economic needs of individuals and families with low-income through the creation of employment and business opportunities in low-income communities.
Deadline: April 27, 2016
View the CED- HFFI Funding Opportunity Announcement.
More information is available on the HHS website.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | Community Economic Development Projects
This FOA has been modified to update the closing date listed on Grants.gov. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Community and Economic Development (CED) program, administered by the Office of Community Services (OCS) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), will provide up to $17.7 million in grants ($800,000 maximum per project) to Community Development Corporations (CDCs) for projects designed to address the economic needs of individuals and families with low-income through the creation of employment and business opportunities.
For more information, please refer to pages 51 of the Funding Opportunity Announcement.
Deadline: April 27, 2016
View the CED Funding Opportunity Announcement.
More information is available on the HHS website.
PUBLICATIONS
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing—where producers engage with consumers face-to-face at roadside stands, farmers’ markets, pick-your-own farms, on farm stores, and community-supported agricultural arrangements (CSAs)—brings benefits for consumers as well as the farm businesses. According to Census of Agriculture data, farmers who market food directly to consumers had a greater chance of remaining in business than those who market through traditional channels. Sixty-one percent of farms with DTC sales in 2007 were in business under the same operator in 2012, compared with 55.7 percent of all U.S. farms. Based on a comparison of farms across four size categories (defined by annual sales), farmers with DTC sales had a higher survival rate (measured as the share of farmers who reported positive sales in 2007 and 2012) in each category. The differences in survival rates were substantial—ranging from 10 percentage points for the smallest farms to about 6 percentage points for the largest. This chart is found in the March 2016 Amber Waves feature, “Local Foods and Farm Business Survival and Growth.”
States, Feds See High-Speed Data Infrastructure Key to Economic Growth
This week, the White House announced the ConnectAll Initiative, an effort to reform federal communications programs to focus on bringing more Americans online. The focus of this effort will be on lower-income families who often lack access to affordable service and the devices to make use of them. Under the proposed plan, low-income families could be eligible for a monthly broadband subsidy. Getting more people online is vital to the future of the American economy and to shared prosperity, according to the report released by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in tandem with the White House announcement. Seeing the potential economic benefits, a number of states, including New York and Alabama, have recently made their own investments in Internet accessibility. Read more...
Over the last month, several universities have announced new initiatives that look to spur investments in startups to support economic growth and prosperity within their region or state. Four universities in North Carolina have announced the creation of the Triangle Venture Alliance to unify and coordinate the efforts across several angel capital groups including sourcing deals across participating alumni angel groups. In Indiana, Purdue University has combined all its efforts into a single entity making it easier for Purdue-affiliated startups to navigate the early stage investment process. Oregon State University and Rogue Venture Partners announced that it will raise up to $20 million (including $4 million from the university) to make equity-based investments to startups across the state. Read more...
EVENTS/LEARNING
WEBINAR: March 17, 2016 (2:00PM ET) – Is GroupGAP Right for You?
The AMS Specialty Crops Inspection Division (SCI) will present a webinar on GroupGAP, an exciting new program is designed to make USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification program accessible for all growers. AMS will begin accepting applications for the GroupGAP Program on April 3, 2016. This, AMS’ second GroupGAP webinar, will focus on the specific requirements of the USDA GroupGAP Program, including:
Benefits of Group Certification
Implementing a Successful GroupGAP System
Creating a Quality Management System
Buyers’ Expectations You’ve put in so much hard work! Now, how do you promote your farm to school program to ensure student, school, and community engagement? Hear about programs that have successfully promoted farm to school programs while managing a tight budget. Chef Ann Cooper, Food Service Director for Boulder Valley School District in Colorado, joins us with tips and tricks for successful promotion. Registration is available online. FY16 Second Chance Act Technology-based Career Training Grant Solicitation WebinarOfficials from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and the National Reentry Resource Center explain the grant program and application process. These grants will provide up to $750,000 for a 36-month project period to states, units of local government (including educational institutions considered to be units of state or local governments), territories, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments. The goal of this program is increase the post-release employability of the incarcerated population in technology-based jobs. Wednesday, March 16,2016, 2-3 PM EDT Sponsors: National Gang Center and the National Training and Technical Assistance CenterRegister for this webinar.Access resources on juvenile gangs from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service.FY16 Second Chance Act Adult Reentry Mentoring Grant Solicitation WebinarOfficials from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and the National Reentry Resource Center explain the grant program and application process. These grants will provide up to $1,000,000 for a 36-month project period to nonprofit organizations (including tribal nonprofit organizations) with a documented history of administering comprehensive, evidence-based reentry services. The goal of this program is to promote more effective reentry incarcerated individuals through the utilization of comprehensive, evidence-based wraparound reentry plans. A core component is the involvement of trained mentors who support the participants’ preparation for release and help link them to programs and services in the community based on their needs.
Thursday, March 17, 2016 2 PM EDT Sponsor: National Reentry Resource Center
Learn more about the OJJDP Comprehensive Gang Model for addressing communities' gang problems.
The National Gang Center (NGC), OJJDP, and the National Training and Technical Assistance Center will present “Street Outreach and Law Enforcement Collaboration: Prioritizing Safety When Working With Gang Members.” This 1-hour webinar will focus on how to conduct street outreach when gang-involved clients are in danger. Presenters will examine the importance of building collaborative relationships among outreach staff, police, schools, and justice systems to develop crisis response and safety plans. The work of NGC and the Houston Mayor's Anti-Gang Office will be discussed. The National Gang Center is supported by OJJDP and the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Webinar To Discuss Outreach for Working with Gang-Involved Clients
Register online for this free webinar.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016, 2 PM EDT Sponsor: National Reentry Resource Center
WEBINAR: March 17, 2016 (2:00PM ET) – Promoting Your Farm to School Program
The webinar is free! Registration is required, and space is limited.
Scott Sutherland
Community and Economic Development
Rural Development
United States Department of Agriculture
PO Box 11005, Casper, WY 82602
Office: 307-233-6706 | Cell: 307-251-9644
Email: scott.sutherland2@wy.usda.gov
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