Farm Bill Assistance in Trinity County, CA

Post Date

April 28th 2010

Application Due Date

May 13th 2010

Funding Opportunity Number

USDA-NRCS-CA-10-0004

CFDA Number(s)

10.912

Funding Instrument Type(s)

Cooperative Agreement

Funding Activity Categories

Natural Resources

Number of Awards

1

Eligibility Categories

State Governments
County Governments
City or Township Governments
Special District Governments
Public and State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
Federally Recognized Native American Tribal Governments
Public Housing Authorities or Indian Housing Authorities
Non-Profits With 501 (c) (3) Status With The IRS (Except Higher Education Institutions)
Individuals
Small Businesses

Funding

• Estimated Total Funding:

  $25000

• Award Range:

  $10000 - $25000

Grant Description

Introduction: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an Agency of the Department of Agriculture, works with private landowners through conservation planning and assistance designed to benefit soil, water, air, plants, and animals that result in productive lands and healthy ecosystems. NRCS's natural resources conservation programs help land owners reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters. NRCS achieves much of its conservation work through conservation programs under the Farm Bill including: • The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers who face threats to soil, water, air, and related natural resources on their land. Through EQIP, NRCS provides financial incentives to producers to promote agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals, optimize environmental benefits, and help farmers and ranchers meet Federal, State, Tribal, and local environmental regulations. • The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) a voluntary conservation program that encourages producers to address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner by undertaking additional conservation activities and improving, maintaining, and managing existing conservation activities. • The Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) is a voluntary conservation initiative that enables the use of three conservation programs and resources of eligible partners to provide financial and technical assistance to owners and operators of agricultural and nonindustrial private forest lands. The Secretary of Agriculture has delegated the authority for CCPI to the Chief of NRCS. Eligible producers located in an approved project area identified in a partner agreement, may apply for program assistance. • The Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial support to help landowners with their wetland restoration efforts. The NRCS goal is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled in the program. This program offers landowners an opportunity to establish long-term conservation and wildlife practices and protection. (For more information on these and other NRCS programs see: www.nrcs.usda.gov) Background: Applicants will be responsible for working in conjunction with NRCS in Trinity County, CA to provide technical assistance and outreach to private landowners (producers) to strengthen, increase, and encourage the voluntary approach and participation in USDA Farm Bill Programs administered by NRCS as well as facilitate program execution and conservation delivery. Work performed under this agreement will focus on accelerating implementation of conservation practices by participants in USDA Farm Bill Programs and administrative support and coordination related to program execution. It will involve direct contact with landowners and land managers. The successful applicant will work in conjunction with NRCS staff to perform field visits and carry out a follow-up schedule for applying soil conservation practices in accordance with plans developed by professional planning technicians. Work will also include, in cooperation with NRCS staff, planning and delivering of community outreach events. NRCS expects to award one cooperative agreements based on proposals submitted and benefits derived for the current fiscal year. The funding ceiling available for the current fiscal year is: $25,000. Any agreements resulting from this solicitation will have a one-year base period and three one-year options. Activities under this cooperative agreement will be carried out from approximately June 1, 2010 through June 1, 2011. Scope of Work: The successful applicant will be responsible for working with the NRCS office in Trinity County California to coordinate technical and/or administrative service activities that are necessary to accelerate the implementation and tracking of new and prior year Farm Bill contracts. Activities will include: • Assist in facilitating producer participation in USDA Farm Bill Programs. This will include assisting in outreach to producers, providing information about conservation programs, answering producer questions about conservation and USDA programs, assisting with screening and ranking of applications, processing and determinations regarding eligibility, processing applications of incoming contracts, and contract technical planning. • Assist with coordinating field checks of contract based conservation practice implementation for payment. This will involve working with program participants to verify that all paperwork is up to date, receipts (if applicable) accurately reflect correct practice implementation, and required program forms are provided to client and signed and returned by client. • Assist with field office technical assistance to producers with conservation management practices in existing contracts by collecting producer records. • Assist with completion of Status Reviews of existing contracts including sending letter to participants to inform them when practices are due to ensure timely implementation of conservation practices. • Assist with outreach and networking to ensure fair delivery of USDA programs. The successful applicant will participate in interagency meetings to coordinate delivery of Conservation Programs in local communities. The successful applicant will submit quarterly reports of progress tracking progress on all tasks and submit a year-end report documenting accomplishments. All administrative services provided in coordination of conservation planning, conservation practice application or verification, and other technical and/or administrative assistance must meet USDA-NRCS standards and specifications as set forth in the NRCS regulations. (for more information on these regulations see: www.nrcs.usda.gov) NRCS will be substantially involved in carrying out the work covered by this cooperative agreement. NRCS will also provide a representative to participate in the planning and management of the cooperative agreement and coordinate activities. NRCS will provide oversight and as necessary, agency software, forms, and other resource information. Evaluation Criteria – Listed in Descending Order of Importance 1. Organizational Capabilities – the adequacy of organizational resources and experience to successfully manage and perform the project. This includes background and experience of staff that will completes the tasks in a professional manner and reflect a positive image of NRCS. 2. Knowledge of conservation issues in Trinity County, CA and NRCS practice standards and specifications related to those conservation issues. 3. Ability to work with NRCS and local producers on conservation issues. 4. Knowledge of local and State ordinances and regulations related to implementing conservation practices in Trinity County, CA Each proposal will be evaluated and ranked in accordance with the evaluation factors listed above. Discussions may be held with each applicant regarding the applicant’s experience, the proposed plan of action or alternative courses of action. After selection, NRCS will enter into negotiations with the selected applicant to discuss cost and the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement to be signed.

Contact Information

• Agency

  Department of Agriculture

• Office:

  Natural Resources Conservation Service

• Agency Contact:

  Kim Pedersen
  Phone 530-792-5678

• Agency Mailing Address:

  POC email

• Agency Email Address:

  kimberly.pedersen@ca.usda.gov

• Location:

  California State Office