Oct 8, 2020USDA doles out $19 million in grants to socially disadvantaged, veteran farmers
On Oct. 8, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $19.1 million in grants to provide training, outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers.
USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (2501) Program is managed by the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).
“These grants provide access to USDA programs,” said Mike Beatty, Director of the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. “Whether it’s through individual technical training, or grassroots community partnership efforts, these projects empower socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers to help them and their businesses thrive.”
USDA will fund approximately $17.6 million in grants issued to 49 organizations conducting outreach and assistance for socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in 28 states. This funding is made available through the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020.
Additionally, Alcorn State University will continue to administer the Socially Disadvantaged Policy Research Center (The Center) with a $1.5 million grant authorized in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020. The Center specializes in policy research impacting socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in order to make policy recommendations that will improve their success.
Among the projects, the Charleston, South Carolina-based Center for Heirs Property Preservation received a grant to provide landowner outreach and forestry technical assistance to promote land retention and use. The Asian Business Institute and Resource Center in Fresno, California, received a grant to conduct outreach and training to ensure Southeast Asian farmers are aware of USDA programs that benefit their work in terms of financial resources, resources for growth, environmental practices, and long-term economic sustainability. Appalachian Sustainable Development in Bristol, Virginia, received a grant to support veterans in agriculture.
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.