Rcovery Act Rehabilitate Historic Agricultural Fields | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the name of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Rcovery Act Rehabilitate Historic Agricultural Fields."

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is NPS ARRANOIWASO100001.

3) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the National Park Service (NPS).

4) What type of award is being offered?

This is a cooperative agreement. NPS has an active role in training, oversight, and technical support.

5) Is this an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funded program?

Yes. It is described as a one-time cooperative agreement funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

6) What is the overall purpose of the project?

The core purpose is to restore and maintain historic agricultural landscapes at Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts by rehabilitating overgrown agricultural fields in the park's Battle Road Unit. The goal is to improve the cultural landscape so visitors can better experience and understand the setting of the opening battles of the American Revolution.

7) Where will the work take place?

Work is expected to take place at Minute Man National Historical Park (Minute Man NHP), specifically the Battle Road Unit, and also at sites in Somerville, Massachusetts in coordination with Groundwork Somerville.

8) What kinds of field activities may be included in the preservation training?

The NPS-led preservation training may include activities such as clearing invasive vegetation from overgrown fields and stone walls, rebuilding stone walls, thinning hedgerows, installing livestock fencing, clearing agricultural drainage ditches, assisting with farm operations, and other tasks tied to maintaining the park's historic agrarian landscape.

9) What is the central theme or emphasis of the project?

A central theme is youth development through practical preservation work, blending education, workforce development, and hands-on resource stewardship.

10) Who is expected to carry out the youth program work?

Groundwork USA, working with its affiliate Groundwork Somerville and in partnership with Minute Man National Historical Park, is expected to provide paid employment and structured training for diverse young adults.

11) What is the intended participant group for the Youth Work Crew?

The announcement specifies four youth trainees ages 18 to 25, with recruitment focused on diverse trainees from the Somerville area.

12) What are the required staffing roles for the Youth Work Crew?

The recipient is expected to provide a Groundwork USA Youth Work Crew consisting of a Crew Supervisor, four youth trainees (ages 18 to 25), and a Farm/Youth Liaison.

13) What are the Crew Supervisor's responsibilities?

The Crew Supervisor is responsible for day-to-day crew management and professional conduct, ensuring trainees arrive on time, dress appropriately, behave respectfully, and follow NPS instructions during NPS-led training. The crew leadership is also expected to handle discipline and personnel issues.

14) Are there any medical or fitness requirements for participants?

Yes. The recipient must ensure crew members and the Crew Leader obtain medical physicals and provide documentation to NPS confirming they are physically able to complete the construction and fieldwork associated with the program.

15) How is the weekly schedule structured?

The youth crew is expected to spend 35 hours per week on hands-on preservation training activities at Minute Man NHP under park direction. In addition, the crew must participate in 5 hours per week of career training workshops and community service activities led by Groundwork Somerville and partners.

16) What are the three integrated components the recipient must implement?

The recipient responsibilities are organized around implementing a Youth Work Crew Preservation Training Program with three integrated components: (1) preservation training activities, (2) career training workshops, and (3) community service projects.

17) What planning or documentation deliverables are required?

In collaboration with NPS, the recipient must produce a comprehensive program overview describing how the program will operate, who will participate and their backgrounds, the budget and timeline, the training activities at the park and other locations, and the division of roles and responsibilities among NPS, Groundwork USA, and Groundwork Somerville, along with related curriculum and service-learning elements.

18) Does the project connect historic landscape work to food systems or sustainability learning?

Yes. The objectives include increasing awareness of local food production and sustainability concepts and providing hands-on experience with agriculture and local food systems as part of the overall historic landscape preservation effort.

19) How does this youth-led work relate to other park field clearing activities?

The announcement notes that youth-led fieldwork supported by this award is designed to complement separate contracted work that will also clear and improve additional agricultural acreage.

20) What is the required cost share or match?

Cost sharing is mandatory. A 25% non-federal match is required and may be met through cash or in-kind contributions, consistent with Public Land Corps requirements as described in the announcement.

21) What types of contributions can count toward the non-federal match?

The announcement anticipates match could include volunteer consultants providing professional development and job-skill workshops, partner organizations supporting community service projects and providing volunteers, and additional match met through staff time, supplies, and documented community service hours. It also states leveraged resources such as in-kind donations, pro bono work, volunteer hours, materials, and equipment must be tracked and documented.

22) What tracking or documentation is required for leveraged resources?

The recipient must track and document all leveraged resources supporting the program, including in-kind donations, pro bono work, volunteer hours, materials, and equipment.

23) Who is responsible for recruiting and hiring staff and trainees?

The recipient must finalize job descriptions for the Crew Supervisor and Farm/Youth Liaison, recruit and hire those roles in consultation with NPS, and finalize trainee job descriptions while recruiting and hiring four diverse trainees from the Somerville area.

24) Who provides transportation for participants?

The recipient must provide transportation for the crew, liaison, and supervisor to and from Minute Man NHP and to any related program activities, so participants can reliably access field sites and training/workshop locations.

25) What is NPS responsible for under this cooperative agreement?

NPS will provide funding for planning and implementation, deliver hands-on preservation training to the five-member youth crew and their supervisor, provide instruction, supervision, and on-site oversight, orient and support the Farm/Youth Liaison, provide ongoing technical assistance to Groundwork USA and Groundwork Somerville, and help connect the partnership with other NPS sites and programs that could expand or strengthen the training model.

26) What is the total anticipated funding amount?

The opportunity anticipated one award totaling $85,000. The award floor and ceiling were both listed as $85,000.

27) How many awards were expected?

The announcement anticipated one expected award.

28) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants were limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.

29) What is the CFDA number and program name listed?

The CFDA number listed is 15.931, "Conservation Activities by Youth Service Organizations."

30) When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The posting timeline indicates it was posted March 5, 2010, created March 10, 2010, and closed March 15, 2010. The opportunity was archived April 14, 2010.

31) Who is the contact person listed in the announcement?

The contact listed is Jennifer Gartzke, Contract Specialist. The announcement includes a phone number for assistance accessing the full announcement electronically.

32) What park is being supported and why is it historically important?

The work supports Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts. The project is intended to improve the cultural landscape so visitors can better experience the setting of the opening battles of the American Revolution.

33) Does the program include community service beyond the park work?

Yes. The program includes community service activities as part of the weekly 5-hour block, and the Youth Work Crew is expected to leverage additional volunteers through partners to support community service commitments.

34) Is there any mention of additional youth groups participating?

Yes. The announcement notes that Groundwork Somerville's "Green Team" of high school employees will visit the park twice during the summer for service projects.