October 6, 2023 - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced US$27.6 million in grants to provide training, outreach and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers and foresters to help them own and operate successful farms, ranches and forest lands. Funding is made through USDA's 2501 Program. The 2501 program is administered by the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).
"The 2501 Program demonstrates USDA's commitment to improving the livelihoods of the country's underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers and foresters by ensuring that they have access to and are equipped with the resources, knowledge and tools to be successful," said OPPE Director Lisa Ramirez. "This program is part of USDA's commitment to equity and inclusion for underserved communities and reducing barriers to USDA programs and resources."
In 2023, USDA is investing US$27.6 million in grants to 41 organisations in 27 states for their efforts to provide outreach and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers. This funding is made available through the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.
lAmong the 2501 program awardees is the Recirculating Farms Coalition's Growing Local Veterans in Agriculture project. This project will teach veterans about vertical farming and other agricultural innovations for a more equitable food system providing fresh, local, accessible food and stable, green jobs in New Orleans, Louisiana. Another 2501 award will go to the Pueblo of Isleta for the Farmers Outreach and Assistance Program for Tribal Communities initiative Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico.
The 2501 Program was created through the 1990 Farm Bill to help underserved 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 to include veterans. Grants are awarded to higher education institutions and nonprofit and community-based organisations to extend USDA's engagement efforts in underserved and veteran communities.
Projects funded under the 2501 Program include, but not limited to, conferences, workshops and demonstrations on various farming techniques, and connecting underserved farmers and ranchers to USDA resources and services. Since 2010, the 2501 Program has provided more than US$221 million to fund more than 657 projects.
For more information, visit HERE.
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.
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