USDA accepting Applications for Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers

Deadline: 26-Aug-20

This notice announces the availability of funds for two fiscal years (FY 2020 and FY2021) and solicits 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 socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, 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.

In partnership with the OPPE, eligible entities may compete for funding on projects that provide education and training in agriculture, agribusiness, forestry, agriculturally related services, and USDA programs and to conduct outreach initiatives designed to accomplish those goals. See attached package for additional information.

Scope of Work

The 2501 Program provides funding to eligible organizations with at least 3 years of documented history working with socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or veteran farmers or ranchers for projects designed to provide education and training in agriculture and to assist socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and operating viable agricultural enterprises. This is a non-construction grant. Proposals must be consistent with requirements stated in 7 U.S.C. 2279(c)(3). Under this statute, the education, training and outreach program funds shall be used exclusively:

To enhance coordination of the outreach, education, and training efforts authorized under agriculture programs;
To assist the Secretary of Agriculture in:
- reaching current and prospective socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or veteran farmers or ranchers in a linguistically appropriate manner;
- improving the participation of those farmers and ranchers in USDA programs.

Priority Areas

There are five priority areas that support the goals of the 2501 Program. Proposals from eligible entities must address at least two of the five following priority areas:

Assist socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and operating successful farms and ranches;
Improve participation among socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers in USDA programs;
Build relationships between current and prospective farmers and ranchers who are socially disadvantaged or veterans and USDA’s local, state, regional, and National offices;
Introduce agriculture-related information to socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers through innovative training and technical assistance techniques;
Introduce agricultural education targeting youth and beginning socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in rural and persistent poverty communities.

Outcomes

Project Directors will be required to document anticipated outcomes that are funded under this announcement including, but not limited to the following:

Documenting the number of new farmers and/or ranchers your organization assisted as a result of your project and the type of assistance;
Documenting race, sex, national origin, disability and number of socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers or ranchers applying for USDA programs and services by program area;
Documenting race, sex, national origin, disability and number of USDA program applications approved for funding, by program area, for socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers as a result of your activities;
Documenting the number of socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers and/or ranchers that have better access to USDA Programs as a result of your outreach and/or training efforts;
Documenting the enhanced sustainability and retention of farming operations among socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers;
Documenting higher profitability and economic stability among socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers resulting from increased access to marketing and enhanced sales opportunities for their products;
Documenting an increase in the number and types of USDA programs and services utilized as a result of your project.

Funding Information

The total estimated funding expected to be available for awards in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 under this competitive opportunity is approximately $15 million.
Timeframe: The performance period for projects selected from this solicitation will not begin prior to the effective award date listed in the grant agreement. The maximum project period is three (3) years.

Eligibility Criteria

Any non-profit, community-based organizations, networks, or a coalition of community-based organizations with at least 3 years of documented expertise in working with socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or veteran farmers or ranchers that:

demonstrates experience in providing agricultural education or other agriculturally related services on USDA programs and services to socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers;
provides documentary evidence of work with, and on behalf of, socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers during the 3-year period preceding the submission of a proposal for assistance under this program;
does not or has not engaged in activities prohibited under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.

For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=328115