Farmer and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Mini-Grant Program

This program was created to address mental health needs in rural communities and the agriculture industry through the use of mental health speakers, workshops and new or expanding trainings that support emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The overarching goal of the Mini Grants Program is to facilitate and support outreach activities by providing a range of services, including trainings, workshops, and support services that will directly improve agriculture-related stress and agricultural suicide prevention for Montana. Activities could include but are not limited to: • Mental health speaker for your annual conference • Mental health awareness workshops • Trainings to help increase knowledge and skills on recognizing mental health issues • Stress assistance workshops Approved Mini-Grants will reimburse community organizations in Montana for the expense of trainings, workshops, and support services that will directly improve agriculture-related stress and agricultural suicide prevention. The maximum award amount is $10,000. The minimum award amount is $1,000. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 1. Applicants must be Montana based. 2. Registered with SAM.gov 3. Registered and in good standing with Montana Secretary of State 4. May not be debarred or suspended from receiving federal or state funding 5. Activity must be relevant to farmers and ranchers in Montana and address causes and solutions for agriculture stress in Montana. 6. Only one award per organization. County Subsidiaries of an organization will count as a different entity 7. Each award must benefit more than one company / or individual. 8. The Montana Department of Agriculture will make the final decision as to a company’s eligibility for this program. 9. The activity must take place between September 1, 2021 and August 31, 2024. ELIGIBLE EXPENSES 1. Speaker Fees 2. Travel costs for speaker (airfare or mileage, hotel, per diem) (These must follow federal per diem guidelines for Montana - https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates) 3. Room Rental Fees 4. Educational materials 5. Materials to promote awareness of trainings and events INELIGIBLE EXPENSES Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to: 1. Expenditures directly related to the operation of the business (staff salaries, printing of generic business brochures and handouts, general advertising not related to the activity). 2. Expenses related to influencing legislation or decision makers 3. Meal expenses 4. Alcohol 5. Expenses not directly related to this request for proposals See program guidelines for additional information: https://agr.mt.gov/Topics/E-G/FRSAN-pages/Mini-Grants

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 1. Applicants must be Montana based. 2. Registered with SAM.gov 3. Registered and in good standing with Montana Secretary of State 4. May not be debarred or suspended from receiving federal or state funding 5. Activity must be relevant to farmers and ranchers in Montana and address causes and solutions for agriculture stress in Montana. 6. Only one award per organization. County Subsidiaries of an organization will count as a different entity 7. Each award must benefit more than one company / or individual. 8. The Montana Department of Agriculture will make the final decision as to a company’s eligibility for this program. 9. The activity must take place between September 1, 2021 and August 31, 2024. ELIGIBLE EXPENSES 1. Speaker Fees 2. Travel costs for speaker (airfare or mileage, hotel, per diem) (These must follow federal per diem guidelines for Montana - https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates) 3. Room Rental Fees 4. Educational materials 5. Materials to promote awareness of trainings and events INELIGIBLE EXPENSES Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to: 1. Expenditures directly related to the operation of the business (staff salaries, printing of generic business brochures and handouts, general advertising not related to the activity). 2. Expenses related to influencing legislation or decision makers 3. Meal expenses 4. Alcohol 5. Expenses not directly related to this request for proposals