General Program Information

MARS Farm Connection Grant Program General Information

This section provides an overview of the following grant program areas:

Program Implementation
RC&D Limits of Responsibility
Applications -- Process
Applications -- Disapproved
Cost Recovery
Land Eligibility
Farmer Eligibility


Program Implementation

• The RC&D MARS Farm Connection Grant Program will be implemented on a first-come, first-served basis in 3 phases, contingent upon available funding.
   
• For an application to be eligible for contract development by the RC&D, proof of initiation of the connection process for reuse water with Manatee County Utilities Operations will be required.
   
• Applications for land with a final site plan approved by Manatee County and still current will be prioritized below land that does not have a final site plan approved/current.
   
• The total MARS Farm Connection Grant Program payments paid to a farmer shall not, in the aggregate exceed $499,000 for all contracts entered into by that farmer, including any reimbursement for Manatee County’s connection fee for reuse water. Most Manatee County connection fees will be reimbursed to the farmer by the grant program, unless the fee exceeds reasonable cost, in which case the RC&D will help the farmer apply for a fee waiver from Manatee County. The RC&D Board of Directors will evaluate reasonable cost for connection fees on a case-by-case basis.
   
• Acceptance of applications for eligible program participants qualifies participant for contract development. Funding is not guaranteed until a contract is signed between the farmer and Florida West Coast RC&D.
   
• Grant payments are limited to the least-cost alternative to achieve the minimum practice standards and specifications needed, unless new or innovative technology is involved, as determined by the MARS Project Manager and as approved by the Florida West Coast RC&D Board of Directors.
   
• The Florida West Coast RC&D Board of Directors determines the maximum cost-share payment rates to be paid for practices to maximize participation and optimize environmental benefits (Phase III).

RC&D Limits of Responsibility

• The RC&D will not be responsible for MARS water rates, quantities, availability, or chemistry. Manatee County Utilities is solely responsible for delivery of the county’s reclaimed water resource and main transmission line maintenance.
   
• For an application to be eligible for contract development by the RC&D, proof of initiation of the connection process for reuse water with Manatee County Utilities Operations will be required.
   
• Grant assistance will not be provided to farmers for MARS pipeline connections started or installed prior to approval of a written contract with Florida West Coast RC&D Council.

Applications – Process

• The RC&D will take the following actions for all applications received:
  
  - Verify that RC&D has sufficient MARS funds.
  
  - Complete review and evaluation of the application as summarized by the MARS Project Manager.
  
  - Approve/disapprove the applications for development of a MARS Farm Connection Grant contract.
  
  - Document the selection process and write letter notifying applicant of approval/disapproval.
   

Applications – Disapproved

• Applications not selected for contract development shall be disapproved and removed from funding consideration, due to any of the following:
  
  • The applicant does not meet “eligible producer” criteria.
  
  • The land does not meet “land eligibility” criteria.
  
  • If either the land or the producer becomes eligible at a later date, the farmer can resubmit his/her application to the program during another application period.
  
  • The applicant requests the application be terminated.
  
  • The applicant had a previous contract terminated due to non-compliance.

Cost Recovery
 

• During the term of the contract, the farmer will be assessed actual expenditures made by the MARS Farm Connection Grant Program where any of the following apply:
  
  - Termination due to fraud.
  
  - Land use changes from agriculture to non-agricultural use.
  
  - The participant voluntarily requests termination.
  
  - The participant voluntarily loses control or transfers all or part of the land under contract, and there is no successor-in-interest.
  
  - Termination due to non-compliance with contract provisions.
  
  - This payment is for recovery of administrative costs and technical services and is not a penalty.

Land Eligibility

• In general, the term “eligible land” means land on which agricultural commodities are produced.
   
• The following Manatee County Zoning Definitions for agriculture will also be used to determine eligible land:
  
  - The production of strawberries, tomatoes, vegetables or other food and grain crops.
  
  - The production of nut trees, citrus and other fruit trees, vines and bushes.
  
  - Agricultural Research Facility shall mean any premises where the principal use is the experimentation, testing, planting, raising, or growing of agricultural flora or fauna* for research purposes.
  
  *Note: Fauna-related operations are not eligible under the MARS Farm Connection Grant Program.
   

Farmer Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in the MARS Farm Connection Grant Program, an applicant must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

• Be the owner or registered representative of an agricultural operation that is engaged in agricultural production as defined in this section.
   
• The applicant is an individual, entity, or joint operation.
   
• The land being contracted for the MARS program is used in agricultural production as defined in this section.
   
• Be an owner or registered representative intending to start an agricultural operation. The RC&D Board of Directors will evaluate on a case-by-case basis. The farmer will be responsible for providing documentation which supports his/her intent to farm.
   
• Have control of the land for the TERM of the proposed contract
   
• Be in compliance with all federal regulations required by the federal government for disbursement of federal funds:
   
• Clean Air/Water Act – self-certification of compliance using the RC&D self-certification form or the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Form AD 1026. The farmer should notify the RC&D if a current Form AD 1026 is on file with the FSA.
   
• EEO/Drug-free workplace — self-certification of compliance will be included as one of the items in the RC&D contract with the farmer and all subcontractors working on the farmer’s connection.
   
• Entities that do not meet agricultural eligibility requirements are not eligible for MARS funds.
   

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