Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA2011ACE01
Apply for USDA2011ACE01
- The DM Office of Advocacy and Outreach in the agriculture employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agricultural Career and Employment Grants Program (ACE)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 20, 2011 and posted on Oct 20, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 15, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $4,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Special district governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Small businesses County governments State governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education City or township governments.
- Entities eligible for awards are non profit organizations or a consortium of entities comprised of a non profit organization and one or more of the following agribusinesses, State and local governments, agricultural labor organizations, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and community based organizations with the capacity to train farmworkers. The criteria by which an entitys capacity to train farmworkers will be evaluated, at a minimum, by the following items 1) an understanding of the issues facing hired farmworkers and conditions under which they work 2) familiarity with the agricultural industry in the geographic area to be served, including agricultural labor needs and existing services for farmworkers and 3) the capacity to effectively administer a program of services and benefits authorized by the grants program.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Agricultural Career and Employment Grants Program (ACE) is a discretionary USDA grant opportunity designed to strengthen and stabilize the agricultural workforce by increasing the supply of skilled farmworkers and helping workers stay connected to agricultural employment over time. The program focuses on practical, worker-centered supports that make it easier for farmworkers to secure a job in agriculture, keep that job, move into higher-skill roles, or return to agricultural work after time away. In other words, ACE is aimed at improving both workforce readiness and workforce retention in a sector where seasonal demand, geographic movement, and limited access to services can create constant turnover.
ACE-funded projects are expected to deliver direct services that address common barriers to steady agricultural employment. Allowable activities include agricultural labor skills development and training, sharing agricultural labor market information so workers understand where jobs are available and what skills are in demand, and providing transportation to help workers reach worksites. The program also allows short-term housing support while workers are traveling to an agricultural job location, which is a key need for highly mobile farm labor. In addition, ACE supports workplace literacy efforts, including English as a Second Language services, which can improve job performance, safety, and long-term advancement. Health and safety instruction is another central component, explicitly including training on practices that help safeguard the United States food supply. The Secretary may also approve other related services considered appropriate to meeting the program goals, giving grantees some flexibility to tailor assistance to local conditions.
Funding for this opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA2011ACE01) was posted on October 20, 2011, with an application deadline of November 15, 2011, and an archive date of December 15, 2011. The program anticipated making about 8 awards from an estimated total funding pool of $4,000,000. Individual awards could be as large as $500,000, with no stated minimum award amount (award floor listed as $0). There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the barrier to participation for organizations that may not have access to substantial non-federal funds.
Eligibility is centered on nonprofit capacity and collaboration. Awards may be made to nonprofit organizations or to consortia led by a nonprofit organization partnered with one or more additional entities such as agribusinesses, state or local governments, agricultural labor organizations, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and community-based organizations that are capable of training farmworkers. While the listing of eligible applicant types includes various government entities and business categories, the detailed eligibility language emphasizes that the applicant should be a nonprofit or a consortium anchored by a nonprofit. Applicants are expected to demonstrate real capability to serve farmworkers effectively. At a minimum, USDA evaluates capacity based on three core factors: a clear understanding of the issues hired farmworkers face and the working conditions they experience; familiarity with the agricultural industry in the service area, including local labor needs and what services already exist for farmworkers; and the administrative ability to run a program that delivers the authorized services and benefits reliably and compliantly.
The administering agency for this opportunity is identified as the USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach. For assistance accessing the full announcement, the contact listed is Christine Chavez, National Farmworker Coordinator, at 202-205-4215.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Agricultural Career and Employment Grants Program (ACE)
What is the Agricultural Career and Employment Grants Program (ACE)?
The Agricultural Career and Employment Grants Program (ACE) is a discretionary USDA grant opportunity intended to strengthen and stabilize the agricultural workforce. It focuses on increasing the supply of skilled farmworkers and helping workers stay connected to agricultural employment over time.
What problem is ACE trying to address?
ACE is designed to improve both workforce readiness and workforce retention in agriculture, a sector where seasonal demand, geographic movement, and limited access to services can lead to constant turnover. The program supports practical, worker-centered services that reduce barriers to steady agricultural employment.
What kinds of outcomes does ACE aim to support for farmworkers?
ACE aims to make it easier for farmworkers to secure a job in agriculture, keep that job, move into higher-skill roles, or return to agricultural work after time away.
What types of activities and services are allowable under ACE?
Allowable activities include agricultural labor skills development and training, sharing agricultural labor market information, providing transportation to help workers reach worksites, short-term housing support while traveling to an agricultural job location, workplace literacy efforts (including English as a Second Language services), and health and safety instruction (including practices that help safeguard the United States food supply). The Secretary may also approve other related services considered appropriate to meeting program goals.
Does ACE require projects to provide direct services to farmworkers?
Yes. ACE-funded projects are expected to deliver direct services that address common barriers to steady agricultural employment.
What is meant by "agricultural labor skills development and training" in ACE?
ACE allows skills development and training aimed at improving farmworker readiness for agricultural jobs and supporting movement into higher-skill roles. The opportunity description does not list specific curricula, but it clearly identifies skills development and training as an allowable activity area.
How can labor market information be used in an ACE project?
ACE allows sharing agricultural labor market information so workers understand where jobs are available and what skills are in demand. This support is intended to help workers connect to opportunities more effectively and maintain employment over time.
Is transportation assistance an allowable ACE activity?
Yes. Providing transportation to help workers reach worksites is an allowable ACE activity.
Does ACE allow housing-related support?
Yes. ACE allows short-term housing support while workers are traveling to an agricultural job location, recognizing the mobility needs of farm labor.
Are English language services allowable under ACE?
Yes. ACE supports workplace literacy efforts, explicitly including English as a Second Language (ESL) services.
Does ACE include health and safety training?
Yes. Health and safety instruction is a central component, explicitly including training on practices that help safeguard the United States food supply.
Can an ACE project include additional services beyond the ones listed?
Potentially. The opportunity states that the Secretary may approve other related services considered appropriate to meeting the program goals, which can provide flexibility to tailor assistance to local conditions.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for ACE?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is USDA2011ACE01.
When was this ACE funding opportunity posted?
This opportunity was posted on October 20, 2011.
What was the application deadline for this ACE opportunity?
The application deadline was November 15, 2011.
When was this opportunity archived?
The archive date listed is December 15, 2011.
How much total funding was estimated for this ACE opportunity?
The estimated total funding amount was $4,000,000.
How many awards did USDA anticipate making?
The program anticipated making about 8 awards.
What was the maximum award size under this ACE opportunity?
Individual awards could be as large as $500,000.
Was there a minimum award amount?
No stated minimum award amount is listed. The award floor is shown as $0.
Is cost sharing or matching required for ACE?
No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated for this opportunity.
Who is eligible to apply for ACE funding?
Awards may be made to nonprofit organizations or to consortia led by a nonprofit organization partnered with one or more additional entities (such as agribusinesses, state or local governments, agricultural labor organizations, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and community-based organizations capable of training farmworkers). While various applicant types may appear in eligibility listings, the detailed eligibility language emphasizes a nonprofit applicant or a consortium anchored by a nonprofit.
Can a consortium apply, and who must lead it?
Yes. A consortium can apply, but it must be led by a nonprofit organization and may include one or more partners such as agribusinesses, state or local governments, agricultural labor organizations, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and community-based organizations capable of training farmworkers.
What does USDA evaluate when assessing an applicant's capacity?
USDA evaluates capacity based on at least three core factors: (1) a clear understanding of the issues hired farmworkers face and the working conditions they experience; (2) familiarity with the agricultural industry in the service area, including local labor needs and what services already exist for farmworkers; and (3) the administrative ability to run a program that delivers the authorized services and benefits reliably and compliantly.
Which USDA office administers this ACE opportunity?
The administering agency is identified as the USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach.
Who is the contact person for help accessing the full announcement?
The listed contact is Christine Chavez, National Farmworker Coordinator.
What phone number is provided for the ACE contact?
The phone number provided is 202-205-4215.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA2011ACE01) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| AgrAbility and Youth Farm Safety Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 004208 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 004208 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| State and Regional AgrAbility Program Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 003405 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 003405 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $180,000 |
| USAID/India s Economic Development of Tibetan Settlements (EDOTS) Apply for RFA 386 11 000001 Funding Number: RFA 386 11 000001 Agency: India USAID New Delhi Category: Agriculture Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
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