2509 Fiscal year 2014-2015 annual plan for awarding grants under the Pennsylvania Agricultural Fair Act
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Annual Plan for Awarding Grants under the Pennsylvania Agricultural Fair Act [44 Pa.B. 7563]
[Saturday, December 6, 2014]The Department of Agriculture (Department), under the authority of section 8(a) of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Fair Act (act) (3 P. S. § 1508(a)), announces that the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary), with the advice and assistance of the Agricultural Fair Advisory Committee (Committee) at its meeting of November 7, 2014, adopted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014-2015 Annual Plan on the awarding of grants to eligible organizations under the act.
The act authorizes the Department to make grants to organizations conducting eligible agricultural fairs, Statewide agricultural organizations which contribute to the development of agriculture and agribusiness and to eligible agricultural youth groups for support of their programs. The Secretary, with the advice and assistance of Committee created by the act, is to adopt an Annual Plan for awarding of grants subject to the limitations specified in section 5 of the act (3 P. S. § 1505).
The Annual Plan, as adopted by the Secretary, provides for the award of grants to each eligible organization subject to the availability of funds on the following basis:
1. For operating expenses, the maximum payment allowed for each Class Fair under section 5(1)(i)(A) of the act will be paid.
2. For premium reimbursement, the maximum payment allowed under section 5(1)(i)(B) of the act will be paid.
3. For reimbursement to each eligible organization conducting harness horse racing at its annual fair, other than races for colts and fillies 2 and 3 years of age, the maximum amount of reimbursement allowed under section 5(1)(iii) of the act will be paid.
4. For reimbursement to each eligible organization conducting races for colts and fillies 2 and 3 years of age at its annual fair, the maximum amount of reimbursement allowed under section 5(1)(iv) of the act will be paid.
5. For reimbursement of operating costs and premiums, a maximum amount of $2,000 and in addition a maximum amount of $10,000 based on a sum equal to 50% of the amount spent by the eligible Statewide agricultural organizations for premium's that are not in the $2,000 payment as provided under section 5(2) of the act. The total maximum payment hereunder will not exceed $12,000.
6. For actual expenses incurred for activities which contribute to the advancement of agriculture or agribusiness by 4-H youth groups, a payment which will be calculated according to the following formula:
Tier 1: $2,000 for total enrollment of up to 1,000 members plus $1 for each traditional member and $0.50 for each school enrichment/special interest member.
Tier 2: $2,500 for total enrollment of 1,001 to 2,000 members plus $1 for each traditional member and $0.50 for each school enrichment/special interest member.
Tier 3: $3,000 for total enrollment of 2,001 to 3,000 members plus $1 for each traditional member and $0.50 for each school enrichment/special interest member.
Tier 4: $3,500 for total enrollment of 3,001+ members plus $1 for each traditional member and $0.50 for each school enrichment/special interest member, a maximum reimbursement of $9,000.
7. For actual expenses incurred for activities which contribute to the advancement of agriculture or agribusiness by Future Farmers of America (FFA) youth groups, a payment which will be calculated according to the following formula:
Tier I: County FFA organizations with 100 members or less will receive base funding of $1,000 with an additional $2 per member.
Tier II: County FFA organizations with 101 to 210 members inclusive will receive a $2,000 base funding with no additional moneys on a per member basis.
Tier III: County FFA organizations with 211 members or more will receive funding of $2,000 with an additional $2 per member for every member over 210.
8. Any funds remaining after the previously listed grants have been awarded shall be utilized for capital improvement as provided in section 5(1)(ii) of the act.
9. The Secretary will endeavor to disburse the previously listed payments in accordance with the following schedule:
(a) By February 1, 2015, for payment under paragraphs 1—7.
(b) By April 1, 2015, for payment approved and authorized in FY 2014-2015 under paragraph 8.
GEORGE D. GREIG,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 14-2509. Filed for public inspection December 5, 2014, 9:00 a.m.]
