Outreach and Assistance for Veteran Farmers and Ranchers 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 i

This program ensures that socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers can equitably participate in USDA programs. Differences in demographics, culture, economics, and other factors preclude a single approach to identifying solutions that can benefit our underserved farmers and ranchers. Community-based and non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and eligible Tribal entities with experience in working with socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers or veteran farmers and ranchers can play a critical role in addressing the unique difficulties they face and can help improve their ability to start and maintain successful agricultural businesses. Through this program, organizations can provide agricultural outreach and technical assistance and extend our outreach efforts to connect with and assist socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers to provide them with information on available USDA resources.

Any community-based organization, network, or coalition of community-based organizations with documented evidence of working with and on behalf of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers during the 3-year period preceding this application cycle and does not or has not engaged in activities prohibited under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; an 1890 or 1994 institution of higher education (as defined in 7 U.S.C. § 7601); a Hispanic-Serving Institution of higher education (as defined in 7 U.S.C. § 3103); American Indian tribal community colleges and universities and Alaska Native cooperatives colleges; other institutions of higher education with documented experience in providing agricultural education or services to socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers; Indian tribes or national tribal organizations with documented experience in providing agricultural education or services to socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers; organizations or institutions that received funding under 7 U.S.C. § 2279(a) with respect to projects that the Secretary considers similar to projects previously carried out by the organization or institution under this subsection.

A farmer or rancher who is a member of one or more of the following groups whose members have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities: African-Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asians, and Pacific Islanders. Beneficiaries also include military veterans. The Secretary of Agriculture will determine on a case-by-case basis whether additional groups qualify under this definition.

Funds will be awarded to eligible entities that have documented knowledge of and experience with USDA programs and experience in providing agricultural education or other agriculturally related services to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers or veteran farmers and ranchers during the 3-year period preceding the submission of an application. The Secretary shall give priority to nongovernmental and community-based organizations with demonstrated history of serving socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers. An applicant MUST be an entity or organization. Individuals and for-profit organizations do not meet the eligibility criteria. Community-based organizations and non-profit organizations should provide a current certification of non-profit status in accordance with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and have dated Articles of Incorporation for at least 3 years prior to application.

Conferences, workshops and demonstrations on various farming techniques and other efforts to connect underserved farmers and ranchers to USDA local officials to help communities increase their awareness of USDA's programs and services. 2501 organizations extend OPPE's outreach efforts to connect with and assist socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers. They play a critical role in identifying and addressing the factors and challenges experienced by socially disadvantaged groups while also providing training, education, and technical expertise. These organizations help to ensure socially disadvantaged groups and veterans are able to equitably participate in the full range of USDA programs in an effort to help improve their ability to start and maintain successful agricultural businesses.

Per the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on Grants.gov, grants are awarded for a period of three years.

An intergovernmental review may be required. Applicant(s) must contact their State's Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the State's process under Executive Order 12372 (https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html) Name and addresses of the SPOCs are maintained at the Office of Management and Budget's home page at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/SPOC-February-2019.pdf

Criteria are dependent upon identification of specific project requirements and program priorities developed by the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), in consultation with collaborating agencies and organizations. Contact OPPE for additional information. Please review the Notice of Funding Opportunity on www.grants.gov for more explicit information on selection criteria.

Eligible entities whose proposals meet the threshold criteria stated in the Notice of Funding Opportunity will be reviewed. Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by a Review Panel which rates the qualification of applicants and the merit of proposals. Funding decisions will be based on the Panel's ranking scores of each proposal. Final funding decisions will be made by the designated approving official.

Please review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for application submission deadlines.

Proposals must be received by the deadline indicated on the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on www.grants.gov. Proposals received after the posted deadline will not be considered for funding.

For renewals, a new Notice of Funding Opportunity will be posted on grants.gov. Extensions must be requested at least 45 days before the end of the Period of Performance.