State Mediation Grants
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To assist States in establishing and administering mediation programs and services for agricultural producers, creditors of producers, (as applicable) and persons involved in an issue for which mediation services are provided by a Certified Mediation Program.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. State Government
- Department/Agency of U.S. State
- County Government
- State
- Nonprofit Organization
States (including the District of Columbia), State-Related Institutions of Higher Education, Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education, State Governments, County Governments, and Non-Profit entities.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
FSA will consider the following in determining the grant award to a qualifying State: (1) Demand for and use of mediation services (historical and projected); (2) Scope of mediation services; (3) Service record of State’s Certified Mediation Program, as evidenced by (i) Number of inquiries; (ii) Number of requests for and use of mediation services, historical and projected, as applicable; (iii) number of mediations resulting in signed mediation agreements; (iv) Timeliness of mediation services; and (v)
Activities promoting awareness and use of mediation; (4) Historic use of program funds (budgeted versus actual); and (5) material changes in the State program.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 30 to 60 days
Thirty days from receipt of a complete application package.
Program details & compliance
Description
States meeting conditions specified in this part may have their mediation programs certified by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and receive Federal grant funds for the operation and administration of agricultural mediation programs.
Mission Categories
Primary: Production and Operation
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Grants made under this part will be used only to pay the allowable costs of operation and administration of the components of a qualifying State’s Certified Mediation Program that have been certified as specified in §785.3(a)(2). Costs of services other than mediation services to covered issues and covered persons within the State are not considered part of the cost of operation and administration of the Certified Mediation Program for the purpose of determining the amount of a grant award.
Specific categories of costs allowable under the State's Certified Mediation Program include, and are limited to: (§785.4(c)(1)) Subject to applicable cost principles in 2 CFR 200, subpart E, allowable costs for operation and administration are limited to those that are reasonable and necessary to carry out the State's Certified Mediation Program in providing mediation services for covered persons within the State.
Required Documentation
To obtain certification from FSA for the Certified Mediation Program, the State must meet the requirements of this section. A new request for certification of a State mediation program must include descriptive and supporting information regarding the mediation program and a certification that the mediation program meets certain requirements as prescribed in this section. If a State is also qualifying its mediation program to request a grant of Federal funds under the Certified Mediation Program, the State must submit with its request for certification additional information as specified in §785.4.
Matching Requirements
A grant award shall not exceed 70 percent of the budgeted allowable costs of operation and administration of the State's Certified Mediation Program. In no case will the sum granted to a State exceed $500,000 per fiscal year.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements