WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2019 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
announced it will issue $16.2 million in grants
to provide training, outreach, and technical assistance to underserved and
veteran farmers and ranchers. This funding is available through the USDA’s
Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and
Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the 2501 Program),
managed by the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).
“All farmers and ranchers
deserve equal access to USDA programs and services,” said Mike Beatty,
director of the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. “2501
grants go a long way in fulfilling our mission to reach historically
underserved communities and ensure their equitable participation in our
programs.”
The 2501 Program was created
through the 1990 Farm Bill to help socially disadvantaged farmers,
ranchers, and foresters, who have historically experienced limited access
to USDA loans, grants, training, and technical assistance. The 2014 Farm
Bill expanded the program’s reach to veterans. Grants are awarded to higher
education institutions and nonprofit and community-based organizations to
extend USDA’s engagement efforts in these communities. Projects funded
under the 2501 Program include -- but are not limited to -- conferences,
workshops, and demonstrations on various farming techniques, and connecting
underserved farmers and ranchers to USDA local officials to increase
awareness of USDA’s programs and services while filling the needs for
increased partnerships.
Additionally, Alcorn State
University will continue to administer the Socially Disadvantaged Policy
Research Center (The Center) with a $525,000 grant funded under this
program. The Center specializes in policy research impacting socially
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in order to make policy recommendations
that will improve their success.
Since 2010, the 2501 Program has
awarded 484 grants totaling $119.5 million.
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