Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (2501 Program)

Background
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) is announcing the availability of funds for fiscal year (FY) 2024 and 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 (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.

Grant Details
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). The programmatic mission areas that support the goals of the 2501 Program include assisting underserved, military veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and operating successful farms; improving participation among underserved or military veteran farmers in USDA programs; building relationships between current and prospective farmers who are underserved or military veterans; assisting in reaching current and prospective underserved farmers or ranchers in a linguistically appropriate manner; assisting with identifying problems and barriers underserved farmers experience.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible entities include community-based organizations, networks, or coalitions with demonstrated experience in providing agricultural education or other agriculturally related services to underserved or military veteran farmers, ranchers, or forest landowners; 1890 institutions or 1994 institutions; American Indian Tribal community colleges or Alaska Native cooperative colleges; Hispanic-Serving Institutions of higher education; other institutions of higher education that have 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.

Period of Performance
The project period must be three (3) years for all proposals.

Grant Value
The total funding provided for this competitive grant program is approximately $22.3 million as provided in the 2018 Farm Bill. The maximum amount of requested federal funding for projects shall not exceed $750,000 over the 3-year period. Additionally, the maximum award per year is $250,000.