Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Program Objective
The purposes of the Program are-
(1) to increase capacity for food, garden, and nutrition education within host organizations or entities and school cafeterias and in the classroom;
(2) to complement and build on the efforts of the farm to school programs implemented under section 18(g) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769(g));
(3) to complement efforts by the Department and school food authorities to implement the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the school breakfast program established by section 1773 of title 42;
(4) to carry out activities that advance the nutritional health of children and nutrition education in elementary schools and secondary schools (as those terms are defined in section 7801 of title 20); and
(5) to foster higher levels of community engagement and support the expansion of national service and volunteer opportunities.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. Federal Government
- State
- Local
- Nonprofit Organization
- Tribal Government (other)
- U.S. Territory Government
- Unrestricted by Individual Type
The Secretary may make grants to carry out research, extension, and education under this subsection to-
(A) State agricultural experiment stations;
(B) colleges and universities;
(C) university research foundations;
(D) other research institutions and organizations;
(E) Federal agencies;
(F) national laboratories;
(G) private organizations, foundations, or corporations;
(H) individuals; or
(I) any group consisting of 2 or more of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (H).
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Within the limit of funds authorized, the NIFA awarding official will make grants to eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in this RFA.
A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA), signed by the Authorized Departmental Officer, will be provided to the applicant organization for successful applications. The NoA is the authorizing document and will be sent via email to the recipient's Authorized Representative.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 30 to 60 days
Contact the National Program Leader (NPL) regarding dates for specific deadlines, start and end dates, and range of approval/disapproval time.
Information is also available via our website and may be obtained via the Grants.gov website. NIFA’s respective links regarding general information are provided below:
http://nifa.usda.gov/
http://www.grants.gov.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFA is available via:
https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/food-and-agriculture-service-learning-program
RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database.
Program details & compliance
Description
FASLP supports projects that bring together stakeholders from the distinct parts of the food
system to increase the capacity for food, garden, and nutrition education within host
organizations or entities, such as school cafeterias and classrooms, while fostering higher levels
of community engagement between farms and school systems. The goal of these efforts is to not
only increase access to school meals for underserved children, but also to dramatically improve
their quality.
FASLP is also focused on the development of leadership skills, knowledge, and qualities
necessary to prepare students for food and agricultural and related careers in the private sector,
government, and academia. Specific activities may include:
1. Developing practical applications to increase understanding of leadership roles, including
critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills; ethics and professionalism;
and working in teams;
2. Connecting the academic classroom experiences with daily leadership roles and
organizational activities;
3. Providing opportunities for mentoring and shadowing; and
4. Organizing leadership academies, workshops, trainings, etc.
Handling of baseline data and data collection will be addressed per approved project evaluation
or performance measures/outcomes.
Mission Categories
Primary: Elementary and Secondary Education
Other categories:
Food and Nutrition for Children
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
In making grants under this section, the Secretary may consider projects that are carried out by entities that-
(A) have a proven track record in carrying out the purposes described in subsection (b);
(B) work in underserved rural and urban communities;
(C) teach and engage children in experiential learning about agriculture, gardening, nutrition, cooking, and where food comes from; and
(D) facilitate a connection between elementary schools and secondary schools and agricultural producers in the local and regional area.
Required Documentation
Applicants (unless excepted under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) must (1): Have an active SAM registration prior to applying; (2) Provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier number in its application; and (3) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an application under consideration or an active federal award.
Applicants must furnish the information required in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process.
Matching Requirements
In accordance with Section 1492 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3371), as added by section 7128 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79), for grants awarded after Oct. 1, 2014, the recipient of an award from the FASLP program must provide funds, in-kind contributions, or a combination of both, from sources other than funds provided through such grant in an amount that is at least equal to the amount awarded by NIFA unless one of the exemptions described herein is applicable. Note that NIFA included information at http://www.nifa.usda.gov/business/awards/matching_require.html to further assist you in determining if you must meet the new matching requirement.
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