Web Analytics

fundsforNGOs

Grants and Resources for Sustainability

You are here: Home / Latest Funds for NGOs and Calls for Proposals and Calls for Applications / CFAs: Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers & Ranchers (2501 Program) in the US

CFAs: Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers & Ranchers (2501 Program) in the US

Deadline: 05-Jul-2024

The Office of Partnerships and Public Engagements is soliciting applications from community-based and non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and Tribal entities to compete for financial assistance through the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (hereinafter referred to as the “2501 Program”).

The overall goal of the 2501 Program is to encourage and assist underserved farmers and ranchers, military veteran farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers with owning and operating farms and ranches and in participating equitably in the full range of agricultural, forestry, and related programs offered by USDA. It also includes projects that develop underserved youths’ interest in agriculture. In partnership with the OPPE, eligible entities may compete for funding on projects that provide education and training in agriculture, agribusiness, forestry, agricultural-related services, and USDA programs, and to conduct outreach initiatives designed to accomplish those goals. This partnership includes working closely with OPPE, attend OPPE-led events in your proposed service territory, and collaborate with USDA Service Centers located in your state (Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Development).

Scope of Work
  • The 2501 Program provides funding to eligible organizations with at least 3 years of documented experience, preceding the submission of an application, in working with underserved farmers and ranchers or military veteran farmers and ranchers to improve their ability to start and maintain successful forestry and/or agricultural-related operations. Proposals must be consistent with requirements stated in 7 U.S.C. 2279(c)(3). Under this statute, the outreach and technical assistance program funds shall be used exclusively:
    • To enhance coordination of the outreach, technical assistance, education, and training efforts authorized under USDA agriculture programs;
    • To assist the Secretary of Agriculture in:
      • reaching current and prospective underserved farmers or ranchers, military veteran farmers or ranchers, or beginning farmers and ranchers in a linguistically appropriate manner; and
      • improving the participation of those farmers and ranchers in USDA programs.
  • There are five programmatic mission areas that support the goals of the 2501 Program. Proposals from eligible entities must address at least two of the five following programmatic mission areas as they develop their goals:
    • Assist underserved, military veteran farmers and ranchers, including beginning farmers and ranchers in owning and operating successful farms and ranches;
    • Improve participation among underserved or military veteran farmers and ranchers in USDA programs;
    • Build relationships between current and prospective farmers and ranchers who are underserved or military veterans and USDA’s local, state, regional, and National offices;
    • Assist in reaching current and prospective underserved farmers, ranchers, or forest landowners in a linguistically appropriate manner; and
    • Assist with identifying problems and barriers underserved farmers experience and working towards minimizing or alleviating those issues to enable their equitable participation in USDA programs.
Funding Information
  • The total estimated funding expected to be available for awards under this competitive opportunity is approximately $22.3 million. The maximum amount of requested federal funding shall not exceed $750,000.
  • The performance period for projects selected from this solicitation will not begin prior to the effective award date listed in the grant agreement. The project period must be three (3) years.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Per 7 CFR 2500.104, proposals may be submitted by any of the following: (a)
    • Any community-based organization, network, or coalition of community-based organizations that:
      • Has demonstrated experience in providing agricultural education or other agriculturally related services to underserved or military veteran farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners;
      • has provided to the Secretary documentary evidence of work with, and on behalf of underserved or military veteran farmers, ranchers, or forest landowners during the three-year period preceding the submission of a proposal for assistance under this program; and;
      • Does not engage in activities prohibited under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
  • An 1890 institution or 1994 institution (as defined in 7 U.S.C. §7601 and in Section 533 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. §301 note).
  • An American Indian Tribal community college or an Alaska Native cooperative college.
  • A Hispanic-Serving Institution of higher education (as defined in 7 U.S.C. §3103).
  • Any other institution of higher education (as defined in 20 U.S.C. §1001) that has demonstrated experience in providing agriculture education or other agriculturally related services to underserved or military veteran farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in a region.
  • Eligible tribal entities as defined in 25 U.S.C. § 5304 or a national tribal organization that has demonstrated experience in providing agriculture education or other agriculturally related service to underserved or military veteran farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in a region. Note: entities under 25 U.S.C. § 5304 are defined as “Indian tribe” or “Indian Tribe” which means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. The term “Indian” means a person who is a member of an Indian tribe.
  • Other organizations or institutions that received funding under this program before January 1, 1996, but only with respect to projects that the Secretary considers similar to projects previously carried out by the entity under this program.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.