MGFSP FAQS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S) ON MICROGRANTS FOR FOOD SECURITY

 

GENERAL

  1. Is there an application fee?

There is no fee to apply for this subaward (grant).

  1. What if I cannot complete an online application?

If you are unable to complete an application online, please contact us (Phone: 808-973-9594 or Email: [email protected]) to arrange for an application to be mailed to you.

  1. I made an error on my application, can HDOA fix it for me?

No. HDOA will not make corrections to your application. If there are errors, you will need to submit a new application. HDOA will only accept the most recent submission per household address. NOTE: Try to keep your submissions to a minimum. Take the time to check and double check your application before submitting.

  1. What should I include in my Project Description and Measurables?

Tell the reviewer what you hope to accomplish through the MGFSP and how you will do it. Describe these items: a coherent plan for your project, an estimate of how much food will be produced over 12 months, how your project will help with food insecurity, how many beneficiaries your project will feed/support (direct and indirect), a description of the project area (lanai, backyard, acres, farm plot, balcony, etc.), a timeline of how you will complete your one year project, and how you will measure and keep track of the amount of food you produce.

  1. I submitted multiple applications – Can I request for only one of them to be reviewed?

No. HDOA will only review the latest submission per household address.

 

PROGRAM RULES

  1. What is considered an eligible entity?

The term “eligible entity” means an entity located in one of the eligible states or territories. Eligible entities are: an individual, an Indian Tribe or tribal organization, a non-profit organization engaged in increasing food security (ex: food bank, food pantry, religious organization), a federally funded educational facility, or a local or tribal government that may not levy local taxes under State or Federal law.  Eligible entities must be a resident of and located in the state of Hawai’i, and at least 18 years of age.

  1. What is the application period?

Applications are open from July 10, 2024 to August 12, 2024. All applications must be received by 12:00 P.M. Noon on Monday, August 12, 2024, as evidenced by the HDOA timeclock.

  1. Is HCE compliance required?

Compliance with various state agencies is not required for individuals in this round of microgrants. Compliance will be needed by organizations only.

  1. Is insurance required?

Insurance is not required for Individuals in this round of microgrants. Insurance will be needed for organizations only.

  1. What federal rules govern this grant?

Fixed Amount Awards: 2 CFR 200.45 H.R.2

Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018: Microgrants for Food Security (Page 175) Equipment: 2 CFR 200.313

  1. What are things that I can get disqualified for?
  • Your email is incorrect or comes back as “undeliverable”.
  • The total amount of funds requested do not match the award selections you made.
  • The total amount of funds requested exceeds $5000.00
  • The only address provided is a P.O. Box address – where there was no mention of a project/residence location (via zipcode and/or TMK) in the project description or address section.
  1. Are non-profit organizations eligible to apply?

In this year’s MGFSP program, while the program is open to all entities that are eligible to apply, the fixed amount awards framework applies only to individuals. A separate solicitation will be posted since fixed amount awards are not applicable to programs that mandate a matching requirement and the MGFSP requires a 10% cash match for organizations.

  1. Does an applicant need to be a US Citizen?

No. The requirement is that the applicant is over the age of 18 and a resident of the State of Hawaii.

  1. Do you need to include a GE Tax number on the application?

No. A GE Tax number is not required for individuals. GE Tax number will be needed for organizations only.

  1. I have previously been awarded a Microgrant for Food Security through this program – am I able to apply for another award? My spouse? Others in my household?

Yes, they can apply but priority will be given to eligible entities, including households, that have not received an award under this program.

 

USE OF FUNDS

  1. What if I have “left over” funds from a purchase?

In the event that you purchase an item at a cheaper price than the amount awarded for the item – you can use the extra funds to re-invest strictly toward other items that you apply for. All receipts in your report should reflect the items/categories that you select in your application.

  1. What if the item I want to purchase costs more than the fixed amount that is awarded?

In the event that this happens, please search for alternatives or pay for the difference out-of-pocket. The fixed amount award cannot be changed.

  1. Can I incur expenses before award of the grant?

No-Awarded applicants will need to be approved by the USDA, sign a contract, and receive their microgrant funds before expenses can be incurred.

 

ADDRESSES & BENEFICIARIES

  1. What is a direct beneficiary?

Direct beneficiaries are people within your household (under one roof) that will benefit from the project.

  1. What is an indirect beneficiary?

Indirect beneficiaries are people you will be sharing, selling, or donating food to that are outside of your personal household.

  1. Should I use my mailing or my physical address on the application?

You will need to input a project location address AND a mailing address. If a street address is not applicable for your project, please include a TMK as well.

  1. There are multiple renters on my property – is each household eligible to be awarded separately?

If the addresses differ, then yes – each household would be eligible to receive a microgrant. However, if all households have the same address, then only one microgrant would be eligible for that household address. EX: 123 Aloha Lane Unit A would be considered a different address from 123 Aloha Lane Unit B.

  1. What if I don’t know what my zipcode is?

Contact your local United states Postal Office or look up your TMK (Tax Map Key) on your designated county’s “real property tax” website.

  1. Who should I put as the “Primary Applicant” on my application?

Enter the name of the primary person, per single household address, that will primarily oversee the project, the project activities, project purchasing, and project reporting.

 

PROJECT ESTIMATIONS

  1. If the food to be produced cannot be harvested or consumed within the time frame of the project, is it acceptable to estimate the amount of food the project intends to produce?

Yes. Tree crops are not expected to be producing a harvest for 5 – 8 years. An estimate of how much food can be harvested in a year would be reported. Same for other crops that may not be ready to harvest before the report is due.

  1. What is the time frame for estimating “food produced as a result of this project”?

The 12-month term of the project is the time frame in which you will need to estimate the amount of food produced as a result of the project.

 

PROJECT TYPES

  1. What if the item I want to purchase is not included in the listed Categories A-C?
    The fixed amount awards are not meant to cover other than what is shown for small-scale gardening, herding and livestock operations in food insecure communities. If the supplies you need fall under a project type category, please select the most applicable item. Utilize the project description and measurables area to further explain your selections. EX: You need a tiller, but “tiller” is not listed. SOLUTION – select “Land Clearing” under section A and explain how you will use the tiller to achieve the goal of your project in your project description.
  2. Would a Biogas Methane Digester be an acceptable composting system for my project?

Yes – keep in mind the project is to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food and should report to the actual and/or estimated amount of food to be produced from the project. Your purchase should not reflect solely as a “commercial gain”.

  1. Can I change the budget for project types that I select?

No. Each project type and subsequent item that you can apply for have a fixed amount for each award. However, please also refer to the Use of Funds section of our FAQs.

  1. Does Project Type B cover non-permanent, mobile structures like chicken coops?

Yes. Please use this project type for non-permanent, mobile structures such as any “off-the-ground” livestock enclosures.

  1. My location does not have water available. Would a portable water tank or rain barrels be an allowable purchase?

Yes. Please select project category A: “Irrigation systems, supplies”.

  1. Can I select different project types adding up to a maximum of $5000?

No. You can only select one project category adding up to a maximum of $5000.

  1. Is fencing restricted to only 8′ or 4′ as listed on the application?

No. Though, 8′ fencing would be recommended to successfully deter axis deer.

  1. Is fencing only for keeping livestock in OR can it also be used to keep invasive pests/animals out?

There is no restriction. Fencing can be used for either instance. Though, the use of the fence would need to achieve the purpose of the microgrant; which is to increase the quality and quantity of locally grown food. Therefore, if you are primarily applying for fencing, you will need to quantify the amount of food grown or produced as a result of the fence.

  1. Is labor something that I can apply for?

Yes. Please select project category A: “Land clearing, labor support”.

 

CONTACT [email protected] or call 808-973-9594 for further assistance.