# Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements
**AGENCY:**
Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.
**ACTION:**
Notice of training conference.
**SUMMARY:**
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing a forthcoming training conference for Federal Grants and Cooperative and Contribution Agreements. Special emphasis will be placed on clarifying the grants and agreements process with emphasis on the competitive process.
**DATES:**
The training conference date is: April 26-30, 2004, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A block of rooms has been reserved under USDA/NRCS at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, 500 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, telephone: 1-888-627-7033, on a first come first serve basis. The Marriott New Orleans Hotel (directly across the street), 550 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, telephone 1-888-364-1200 will become the overflow hotel site. A room rate has been set at $146.00 and all reservations must be guaranteed by April 2, 2004.
**ADDRESSES:**
The training conference will take place at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, 500 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, telephone: 1-888-627-7033.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Questions or comments should be directed to Edward Biggers, Jr., Director, Management Services Division, telephone: (202) 720-4102; fax: (202) 720-7149; e-mail: *[email protected]* or Rosann Durrah, telephone: (202) 720-4072; fax: (202) 690-0639; e-mail: *[email protected].*
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
Notice of this conference is given under the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977, 31 U.S.C. 6301-6308. The conference is designed for leaders, administrators, partners, non-government officials, program managers, specialists, management analysts, and others involved with operations, agreements/grants, evaluations, administration, decision process, auditing, program management, budgeting, contracting, and program delivery. Participants will learn: Competing Grants and Agreements, Contribution Agreements, Authorities, Policies, and Earmarks, Roles and Responsibilities, and Cost Analysis and Evaluation of Proposals.
Dated: March 8, 2004.
Helen V. Huntington,
Federal Register Liaison, Natural Resources Conservation Service.