Agenda Item Name:
Title
Award of Small-Producer Agriculture Capital Support Pilot Grants
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Presenter:
Diedre Houchen, Equity & Community Outreach Manager
Cynthia B. Sanders, PhD Director UF/IFAS Alachua County Extension
Sean McLendon, Strategic Initiatives Manager
Description:
Award of small-producer agriculture capital support pilot grants to three recipients.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Award three pilot grant applications to Dominic Purcell $3,245 (score 39.0) and Raquel Penabella $5,000 (score 39.0) and a partial funding award of $1,755 to Karen Pierce (score 38.7).
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Prior Board Motions:
June 8, 2021 - approved the pilot grant program and directed staff to solicit applications for up to $10,000 in available funding ($5,000 Maximum Award per application)
Feb 9, 2021 - refer to staff the concept to research if there is any possibility to establish now or for next year a mini-grant program. The motion carried 4-0.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
For the three top scoring applications there is $10,000 budgeted in the Economic Development Division in account 001.17.1770.552.82.53 for FY21.
There is no budget in FY22 to continue this program.
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Background:
The Small-Producer Agriculture Capital Support (SMAACA) Grant is aligned to the Commission’s strategic vision of “Achieving Social and Economic Opportunity for All” and desire to “promote the economic prosperity of all citizens, address economic equity, and diversify the tax base.”
SMAACA Grant funding is limited to capital equipment needs of Alachua County residents that have small producer agricultural operations wholly contained within Alachua County. A small producer (farm) is defined as a commercial operation with an established gross cash income of at least $1,000 but no more than $250,000 per year from the regular harvest and sale of crop, livestock, or aquaculture products meant for human consumption.
To reduce inequity in marginalized communities, this grant prioritized small-producer operations that are owned by black, women, indigenous, and persons-of-color.
The grant review panel scores for the Viability questions were averaged and added to the Economic and Equity Priority scores to achieve a final total project score. A maximum score of 40 points was possible. A total of 48 applications were received; 37 of which met all criteria and were evaluated. The final scoring matrix, minutes, and attendance sheet are attached.
The review panel prioritized awarding the full amount requested for the top two scoring applications and is also recommending partial funding for a, third, lower scoring applicant due to the availability of County funds.