To solely enhance the competitiveness of New Mexico s specialty crops in domestic or foreign markets. What does this mean?

To solely enhance the competitiveness of New Mexico s specialty crops in domestic or foreign markets. What does this mean?

USDA defines specialty crops as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). For a comprehensive list: http://www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp

Request for Proposals Proposals Reviewed by Evaluation Committee and NM Secretary of Agriculture NMDA Notifies Applicants Successful Applicants Complete Full Proposals NMDA Submits State Plan to USDA USDA-AMS Approval Sub- Contracts Between Project Coordinators and NMSU/NMDA

Projects must: Help make NM-grown specialty crops more competitive in the market place Benefit more than one product or organization Be completed within three years Single organizations, institutions, and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners.

Enhancing food safety GAP/GHP/GMP Research focused on conservation and environmental outcomes Developing new and improved seed varieties Pest and disease control Developing organic and sustainable production practices Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems Developing local and regional food systems Improving food access in underserved communities

Capital Expenditures General Purpose Equipment Equipment Entertainment Activities Indirect Costs

Special Purpose Equipment Salary and Wages Advertising and Public Relations Travel Materials and Supplies Rental Cost of Building and Equipment Meetings and Conferences Communication Costs Training

Does my project solely relate to specialty crops? Will it benefit more than one product or organization? (Benefiting one commodity is allowed) Can it be completed within three years?

Relevance: Do the goal and objectives match the needs or problems? Effectiveness: Is the proposed approach practical? Has it been tried elsewhere? How will changes be measured? Feasibility: Are the budget and timeframe realistic? Can it be done?

Impact: What will happen as a result of the project? How will it make a difference in the community? Who will be affected? How will you know if the results have been achieved? Longevity: Are there lasting benefits after the end of the project? How will the project continue after the funding? Will other funds be available to carry forth the project after the grant ends?

Project Title and Abstract Applicant Details Project Purpose Potential Impact Expected Measurable Outcomes Work Plan Budget

Project Title Should adequately describe the project Abstract A concise description of the proposed project that includes the goal, objectives, and methods to be used Written in a manner that the general public can understand 200 words or less

A broad or big-picture statement of what is to be accomplished Helps guide what you do Should be verifiable at the end of the project

Applicant Details Applicant Name Type of Business/Organization Contact Information Has this project been submitted to any other grant program? Is this project an extension of a previous project?

Project Purpose Should include the specific issue, problem, interest, or need to be addressed and why the project is important and timely

Objective Problem Importance Many school children do not have access to healthy fruits and vegetables (PROBLEM). The School Nutrition Association will subsidize installation of salad bars in 40 schools to increase access to nutritious fruits, vegetables, and nuts in school breakfasts and lunches (OBJECTIVE). Not only will this result in increased purchases from specialty crop growers, but will the evaluation component will provide a model for other schools in their efforts to market healthy meals to children (IMPORTANCE).

Similar to goals, but more specific and more focused on time frames and measurement Objectives are the final results that together achieve the project goal (how the goal will be accomplished) Provide a more detailed picture of what is to be accomplished

Specific statements of what the project will accomplish Measurable or observable Achievable Realistic in recognizing the concrete results a project can actually accomplish Time-bound (or time-specific)

Use words such as increased, decreased, or other action verbs Determine how you will collect and analyze the data and information

Purpose To conserve X land and water resources and increase income of farm families in X County. A common pitfall is no linkage between purpose, goals, objectives, and budget. Focus on developing the logic. Goal Objective To improve X resource management and increase the crop productivity among 85 percent of farmers in X County by a minimum of 15 percent over the current average production levels within six years By the end of the project, 85 percent of farmers in X County will practice appropriate farming and conservation methods

Beneficiaries: Who are they? How many are there? How will they be impacted? What is the potential economic impact?

People/ Operations Affected Beneficiaries Economic Impact Existing and new specialty crop growers taking part will receive an extensive education on many aspects of direct retail marketing (BENEFICIARIES). Based on feedback from growers, we expect a minimum of 50 attendees at the workshops (# OF BENEFICIARIES). Through grower education, farmers will be exposed to information on how to grow crops and successfully sell their produce at direct-to-consumer markets (how beneficiaries will be IMPACTED.)

A result you can measure showing progress toward the goal Include at least one distinct, quantifiable, and measureable outcome. Does it directly and meaningfully support the project s purpose? Is it of direct importance to the intended beneficiaries?

Should encompass: GOAL PERFORMANCE MEASURE BENCHMARK TARGET

GOAL Realistic Specific Outcome-oriented

PERFORMANCE MEASURES Indicators used to observe progress and measure actual results compared to expected results Quantifiable should be objective and measurable (use numeric values, percentages, scores, and indices) Qualitative measures are appropriate in certain circumstances

BENCHMARK- What is your starting point? You can/should use established benchmarks from industry If data is unavailable, describe the lack of data

TARGET- Where you d like to finish Realistic Specific

Develop performance monitoring plan or data collection plan Define data sources How will it be collected and analyzed to improve performance? Should be integrated into work plan and budget

Goal Benchmark Targets Performance Measure Increase the number of specialty crop farmers following Good Agricultural Practices (GOAL) from the current 10 (BENCHMARK) to 25 in two years (TARGET) measured by the number of GAP audits passed (PERFORMANCE MEASURE).

If you do not measure results, you cannot tell success from failure. If you cannot see success, you cannot learn from it. If you cannot recognize failure, you cannot correct it. If you can demonstrate results, you can win public support.

Identify activities Include performance monitoring/data collection plan Indicate who will do the work Specify roles and responsibilities Include timelines for each activity with a start date and end date A table format is preferred

Detailed Budget in Bullet or Table Format Budget Categories- Personnel Fringe Benefits Travel Equipment Supplies Contractual Other Will the project generate program income? Describe how the income will be used to further enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.

Have a third party, who is not familiar with the project/program, review your proposal Edit for grammar and spelling Recheck budget calculations Do not wait until the last minute! (Especially if you plan to ask others, including NMDA, for help)

Description NMDA Releases Request for Proposals (RFP) and Conducts Outreach Date January and February 2015 NMDA Hosts Workshops March 2015 Concept Proposals Due April 20 Evaluation Committee Meets May 2015 Applicants Notified of Status May 2015 Full Grant Proposals Due TBD State Plan Due to USDA July 8, 2015 USDA Reviews and Approves State Plans August/September NMDA- Mail Award Letters for Federal SC Funding Conduct Project/Program (Quarterly Progress Reports and a Final Report are required.) September/October October 1 through September 30

NMDA Website www.nmda.nmsu.edu and www.newmexicotradition.com NMDA E-mail specialtycrops@nmda.nmsu.edu USDA-AMS Website www.ams.usda.gov/scbgp