TARGETED ASSISTANCE GRANT
(TAG) PROGRAM

2007-2009 Guidelines

Printable Version (pdf)

For technical assistance contact:
Rachel Seifert-Spilde, Noxious Weeds Specialist
rseifert@nd.gov
701-328-2983 or 1-800-242-7535

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. Program Details
3. 2007-2009 Funds Available
4. Eligibility
5. Match
6. Deadlines
7. Committee
8. Project Evaluation
9. Application Check List
10. 2007-2009 Grant Application and Budget Form
11. Anticipated Funding Sources
12. Noxious Weed Grant Match Rate Sheet
13. Grant Voucher Form

Please Note:  An electronic version of the grant guidelines, application and voucher forms can be found on the North Dakota Department of Agriculture website at
http://www.agdepartment.com/programs/plant/tag.htm.

Introduction

The goal of the Targeted Assistance Grant (TAG) Program is to provide a simple, fair and accountable mechanism that will help you to target noxious and invasive weed control needs and provide a cost-share opportunity to county and city weed boards to meet those identified needs. TAG proposals should describe a noxious or invasive weed problem within your county or city weed board’s jurisdiction and propose a management strategy to diminish the problem. Basically, describe your weed problem and propose a solution to that problem that you would like us to fund.

Program Details

2007-2009 Funds Available

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) will make approximately $400,000 available for targeted assistance grants during the 2007-2009 biennium. Grant applications can request any amount but must show a demonstrated need for funds by describing the noxious and invasive weed problem, the acreage and location of infested acreage, the number of landowners affected, the estimated treatment costs and the management methods to be implemented, etc.

Eligibility

All county and city weed boards are eligible for TAG funds. Targeted assistance grants will not fund indirect costs and may not be used on state or federal lands.

Match

All grant applications are encouraged regardless of weed board match potential.
The North Dakota Century Code 63-01.1-06 (2) and 63-01.1-07.6 (2) specifies that weed boards may not receive more than one-half of the board’s actual cost-share expenditures for noxious weed control or eradication from any legislative appropriation, unless the commissioner in consultation with the weed board determines a noxious weed is seriously endangering areas of a city, county or the state. Project expenditures and match costs must be documented and submitted to the NDDA. Match expenditures can be referenced to the Noxious Weed Grant Match Rate Sheet.

Committee

A five-person advisory committee has been assembled to evaluate proposals and make recommendations. Committee members and the agencies they represent include Al Ulmer, NDSU Extension Service; Dan Stewart, North Dakota Association of Counties; Dave Hirsch, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; Myron Dieterle, North Dakota Weed Control Association, and Rachel Seifert-Spilde, North Dakota Department of Agriculture.

Project Evaluation

Applications will be reviewed and ranked by the TAG committee. The funding recommendations of the committee will be presented to the Agriculture Commissioner for approval.

The advisory committee will consider the following when ranking proposals.

1. Completeness of the grant application
2. Priority of noxious or invasive species being targeted
3. Appropriateness of the proposed weed management methods
4. Need for early detection and rapid response to new invaders in your area
5. Participation of private landowners and different cooperators in the project
6. Appropriateness of the budget for the proposed activities
7. Appropriateness of the introduction or maintenance of biological controls
8. Use of GPS/GIS mapping in the project
9. Project follow-up, including monitoring and evaluation of infested areas, biological controls, etc.
10. Need for educational materials and or trainings
11. Restoration of valuable ecosystems
12. Need for equipment purchases

TARGETED ASSISTANCE GRANT

Application Check List

For Technical assistance contact:

Rachel Seifert-Spilde, Noxious Weeds Specialist
rseifert@nd.gov
701-328-2983 or 1-800-242-7535

Please submit grant proposals to:

North Dakota Department of Agriculture
Attention: Rachel Seifert-Spilde
600 E Boulevard Ave Dept 602
Bismarck ND 58505-0020

TARGETED ASSISTANCE GRANT

2007-2009 Grant Application and Budget Form

A map of the project area (if applicable) must be submitted along with this application. Please highlight problem areas within the map and outline the project boundaries.

GPS coordinates, if available, of weed surveys, locations, etc. should be submitted upon project completion. Coordinates must be in latitude and longitude decimal degrees and in NAD83 or WGS84 datum.

Please list the specific activities that will be completed in order to accomplish the project goals. Please detail who will perform the activities, the herbicides or methods to be used to control weeds, timeframes, associated costs, etc. Italicized wording in the gray area is meant to serve as and example. In calculating anticipated project expenditures refer to the Noxious Weed Grant Match Rate Sheet. Utilize page 9 if more space is needed.

Anticipated Funding Sources

Use Noxious Weed Grant Match Rate Sheet (page 12) as a reference in completing the table above.

TARGETED ASSISTANCE GRANT

Noxious Weed Grant Match Rate Sheet

(*August 1, 2007 North Dakota Department of Transportation State Fleet Services Rental Rates.)

Use of NDDA purchased equipment is not an eligible expenditure.

TARGETED ASSISTANCE GRANT Grant Voucher Form