(a) Grant funds may be used to pay up to 50 percent of the total eligible project costs, subject to the limitations established for maximum total grant amount.
(b) The maximum total grant amount provided to a grantee in any one year shall not exceed the amount announced in an annual notice issued pursuant to Sec. 4284.915, but in no event may the total amount of grant funds provided to a grant recipient exceed $500,000.
(c) A grant under this subsection shall have a term that does not exceed 3 years, and a project start date within 90 days of the date of award, unless otherwise specified in a notice pursuant to Sec. 4284.915. Grant project periods should be scaled to the complexity of the objectives for the project. The Agency may extend the term of the grant period, not to exceed the 3-year maximum.
(d) The aggregate amount of awards to majority controlled producer-based businesses may not exceed 10 percent of the total funds obligated under this subpart during any fiscal year.
(e) Not more than 5 percent of funds appropriated each year may be used to fund the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, to support electronic capabilities to provide information regarding research, business, legal, financial, or logistical assistance to independent producers and processors.
(f) Each fiscal year, the following amounts of reserved funds will be made available:
(1) 10 percent to fund projects that benefit beginning farmers or ranchers, or socially-disadvantaged farmers or ranchers; and
(2) 10 percent to fund projects that propose development of mid-tier value chains.
(3) Funds not obligated by June 30 of each fiscal year shall be available to the Secretary to make grants under this subsection to eligible entities as determined by the Secretary. Sec. Sec. 4284.926-4284.929 [Reserved]
Applying for a Grant