Subject: FRUITFACTS: Grower Grants: Speciality Crops

FRUIT FACTS: A LIST-SERVE FOR THE COLORADO FRUIT INDUSTRY
 
The recently formed Specialty Crops Center at Colorado State University (CSU-SCC) is requesting
grant applications from producers or groups of producers who are interested in conducting
research, demonstration, and/or education projects related to specialty crop production, processing,
or marketing. The goal of the CSU-SCC is to foster specialty crop production practices that will over
the long-term:
? sustain the economic viability of Colorado agriculture through high value specialty crops;
? enhance the quality of life for Coloradans; and
? make the most efficient use of nonrenewable and on-farm resources.
 
See document below for further details.
Cheers
 Shane Max
________________________________________________________________________
 
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Its that simple !
 
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your name and email address
 
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your name and email address.

Any problems contact  shane.max@colostate.edu
 
 
 

Introduction

The Specialty Crops Center at Colorado State University (CSU-SCC) recognizes the value and importance of on-farm/producer experience in developing solutions to agricultural production problems for specialty crops. This new program is supported by a grant from the Colorado Department of Agriculture through funds received from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The authorizing legislation states that the funds must be used for new, specialty crops. The following crops are excluded: wheat, feed grains, oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts, and tobacco. In order to capture the experience of crop producers and enrich our research and education programming, the CSU-SCC is requesting grant applications from producers or groups of producers who are interested in conducting research, demonstration, and/or education projects related to specialty crop production, processing, or marketing. The goal of the CSU-SCC is to foster specialty crop production practices that will over the long-term:

• sustain the economic viability of Colorado agriculture through high value specialty crops;
• enhance the quality of life for Coloradans; and
• make the most efficient use of nonrenewable and on-farm resources.

a) identify specific problems, opportunities or issues hindering the adoption, processing or marketing of specialty crops, and offer potential solutions;

b) demonstrate and disseminate information about the solutions and;

c) are innovative and relevant to other producers in Colorado.

Finding solutions might involve small research trials, new processing approaches, marketing ideas, educational activities, surveys, demonstrations, grower workshops, etc. The proposal must emphasize specialty crops and the following crops are EXCLUDED: wheat, feed grains, oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts, and tobacco.

For 2002-2003, a maximum of $100,000 will be awarded through grants. The maximum amount per year for each individual grant can be up to the following limits:

$10,000 for individual grower/producer and

These grants deal with a research, education, marketing, or demonstration project in the area of specialty crops that is developed, coordinated, and conducted by producers (growers), a group of growers, or an agricultural organization. Interested producers or producer groups should complete the attached application forms describing their project and explaining how it will help other producers and those from the agricultural research, extension & education community.

Individual producers or producer groups in Colorado are eligible to apply for a grant. An individual producer, farm, greenhouse/nursery, ranch, orchard, group, etc. will only be awarded one grant annually. This program is designed for commercial growers, processors or marketers. Proposals based at educational or research institutions are ineligible for this program; however, the work proposed must be linked to a Technical Adviser associated with Colorado State University or the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

What type of research/education projects get funding?

Funded projects are those that clearly define a problem, opportunity or issue in growing, processing, or marketing a specialty crop and propose innovative, specific, potential solutions to adoption of a specialty crop. Grower research and education projects should include the field testing of an idea or technology related to specialty crop production and/or subsequent processing or marketing of the crop. Possible subjects include, but are not limited to: crops, horticulture, turf, agroforestry, product development, processing, and marketing. Solutions may involve small research trials, demonstrations, farmer/grower workshops, and/or market surveys. The research and education project should provide producers with the useful information needed to implement specialty crop production and marketing for their operation(s).

What is required for a proposal?

• Producer(s) - All proposals must be under the leadership of one producer. You qualify as a producer if: 1) your primary occupation is farming; 2) you have a farm tax number; or 3) you derive a significant portion of your income from your farm and you are actively involved in the daily operation. This producer must be fiscally responsible for the project and provide his/her Social Security Number to receive funding. A farm is any for-profit enterprise involved in producing food, fiber or ornamental crops.

• Group of Producers or Agricultural Organization - Three or more producers from independent and separate operations. One producer or appropriate officer of an organization must agree to serve as the primary contact and be fiscally responsible for the grant. His/Her Social Security number must be provided in order to receive funding.

• Technical Advisor - All proposals must have a qualified technical advisor who can assist with the project planning, evaluation, and information outreach. Technical advisors are Colorado State University personnel such as Cooperative Extension agents and/or specialists or researcher scientists or staff at the Colorado Department of Agriculture. An abbreviated (1 page limit) vitae or resume of the technical advisor must be included with the proposal. In addition to CSU or CDA staff, other consultants or technical experts could be involved with the project.

• Outreach Plan - A plan for sharing information with other producers. Identification of who will be reached, when, and how, is required. Means of outreach may include: field days, fact sheets, brochures, workshops, etc.

Projects may be funded for up to $10,000 for one year for an individual and up to $25,000 for groups of producers or an organization. This grant program is designed to encourage feasibility testing through research/education/marketing projects. Some projects will be conducted along with a normal agricultural operation, in which case only those costs that are over and above normal costs of the operation can be included in the grant budget. A grant will cover the costs of sampling and sample analysis, additional labor costs associated with the project (i.e. installation of pipe, scouting assistance, and market surveys) and the costs of materials and supplies needed for the project. Funds are not for personal use and will not pay salaries for technical advisors. Appropriate and reasonable travel funds for the technical advisor to visit the project site will be covered by the CSU-SCC, and do not need to be part of the grant budget.

Equipment purchases are discouraged. Durable equipment (such as tillage or harvesting machinery, buildings, etc.) should be leased rather then purchased. Permanent improvements or equipment (fencing, or seeding of perennial plants, irrigation equipment, refrigerators, computers, etc.) will only be reimbursable at up to 25% of the cost. The program administrators reserve the right to restructure or reduce the budget of a grant application before final approval is granted.

What expense will you be expected to cover if you get a grant?

All project applicants are required to show that they are contributing to the project. These are called "matching contributions" and represent monetary or non-monetary contributions that are being provided by the producer/producer group. A minimum of 25% of the requested funds should be provided in matching. For example: a request of $5,000 of program money would require a minimum matching contribution of $1,250 making the actual cost of the project $6,250. Examples of matching contributions can include extra labor requirements associated with the project, seed, equipment leasing, and the rental value of the land or other facilities that you are using for the project.

How are grants selected?

All eligible proposals received by the due date go through a two-stage review process.

Phase 1 - External reviews will be solicited from a diverse group of people. Reviewers will include producers who are familiar with specialty crops, people from the research and extension community, nongovernmental organizations, and state/federal government agencies throughout Colorado. Written reviews will be compiled and forwarded to the Evaluation Committee.

Phase 2 - The Evaluation Committee meets to discuss and numerically rank the proposals based upon the evaluation criteria (listed below). The Evaluation Committee will consist of producer representatives, Colorado Department of Agriculture staff, and Colorado State University research and Cooperative Extension staff. All funding is awarded competitively.

The Evaluation Criteria are:

1) Addresses a problem/opportunity facing specialty crops; innovation is important. 25 points

2) Methods are an appropriate and realistic way to address the problem. 25 points

3) Proposal explains how the results will be communicated to a larger audience-other producers. 25 points

4) The budget is realistic and appropriate for the project.15 points

5) The project is innovative and creative. 10 points

100 points Possible

What will happen if you are selected for a grant?

• Notification - Final review and selections will be made by the CSU-SCC administrative team (Department Head of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Director of Cooperative Extension, Director of Agricultural Experiment Station, Director of Marketing Division, CDA) in March, 2002. Authors will be notified of the results by April 1, 2002.

• Contract - Grant recipients will be asked to sign a contractual arrangement with Colorado State University. CSU is the contracting institution for the CSU-SCC program. If you sign the contract, you agree to conduct the activities outlined in your application under CSU policies and procedures.

• Funds - Detailed financial records are required. Receipts may be requested by CSU to meet General Accounting Office (GAO) requirements. Grants may start anytime after April 1,2002, but must be finished no later than December 31, 2002 unless approved as a multi-year project. No-cost extensions are available. The granting mechanism will involve CSU issuing a Purchase Order for the activities defined in the proposal. The successful grant recipients will receive 25% of their grant award upon signing the initial invoice and returning it to CSU-SCC. The intermediate payments will be made during the grant period based on financial needs of the project as identified in the proposal. The final 25% will be provided upon completion and acceptance of the final report. Any changes in information (address, phone, Technical Advisor, etc.) and/or other activities of your funded proposals must be reported to the CSU-SCC.

• Reports – An annual and completion report are required. The project does not need to be finished to submit an annual report. Guidelines for reporting will be sent out in Sep-Oct 2002. These reports are due by 31 December of each year the project is underway. Upon conclusion of the project, grantees will submit a written final report evaluating their project. A final budget sheet demonstrating financial accountability is also required. Project reports will be compiled annually and shared with other producers, interested policymakers, and leaders in your community, and at state, regional and national levels. Final reimbursements (final 25%) will be provided when a satisfactory final report is provided and accepted by the CSU-SCC.

Send the original and ten copies of your completed proposal form to the CSU-SCC Office (address below). Alternatively, send the original hard copy with all required signatures and submit the proposal as a Microsoft Word or WordPerfect document as an email attachment. Proposals must be received by the office no later than 5:00 pm MDT, February 15, 2002. All project participants/cooperators/technical advisors must either sign the application form or submit a letter of support for the project. The Technical Advisor must sign the form or send a written letter of support outlining his/her role in the project. If you have any questions about the application procedure or the CSU-SCC program, contact:

Dr. Steve Wallner

Specialty Crops Center phone: 970-491-7018

Department of Horticulture FAX: 970-491-7745

Colorado State University email: swallner@agsci.colostate.edu

Fort Collins, CO 80523
 
 

Please Type or Print Clearly.

Cover Page

Project Title:

Specialty Crop Addressed:

Producer(s)/Organization (Project Leader):

Address:

County:

Telephone:

Fax:

E-mail:

Technical Advisor(s)

Name and title:

Address:

Telephone:

Fax:

E-mail

Funding Request: Matching Funds:

Type of Project: __Individual __Group of Producers __Agricultural Organization

Project Duration: __Standard Grant: April 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002

__Multi-year: April 1, 2002 to ________(include justification)

Project Description:

1. What do you (or your group) want to do? Briefly state the problem the project will address, and what you propose to do about it. How will the results of the project help specialty crop growers in Colorado?
2. Tell us about your agricultural operation, and how the proposed project will fit in with your operation. For example, are you a full or part-time Grower (or group of growers)? What do you grow/raise? Do you own or rent land?
3. Briefly state the role that you, the technical advisor, and each cooperator will play in the project. List the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any other cooperators who have agreed to participate in the project. Cooperators can include other growers, ranchers, agribusiness, extension agents/specialists, researchers, and other agricultural service providers (NRCS, etc.) that have agreed to help you in your project.
4. Project Methods: Describe in detail how the project will be carried out. Give a tentative timetable for project activities.
5. How will the results be measured?
6. Outreach plan. How will project results and/or activities be communicated to other producers and/or interested parties? Outreach activities can include field days, workshops, or publications.
7. All project participants/cooperators (includes technical advisor) must either sign this application or submit a letter of support, which states their role in the project, with the application.

Date

Signature of Technical Advisor

Date

Project Title:

Project Leader:

Telephone:

This form, or a similar form, must be completed and returned with your application. Please use the first column to show how the grant funds will be used in this project. List all personnel, supplies needed, rental costs, equipment purchases, etc. Equipment expenses will be reimbursed at the current rental/lease rate. The cost of each item to be purchased or paid for with grant funds should be listed in the second column. Use the Matching Funds column to show your contributions (cash value) of labor, facilities, supplies, etc. If you have questions about completing this form, please call

(970) 491-7018.

Funds Disbursement

1. 25% at project initiation
2. Describe and provide justification for distribution schedule for remaining 50% of grant.
3. 25% upon acceptance of project final report