National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture

photo by Cynthia Vagnetti

Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers

2002 Farm Bill-Section 10707

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Program Description

Formerly known as "Section 2501," the 2002 Farm Bill significantly improves and strengthens this program by:

Allowing other agencies and programs within USDA to contribute funds to the grants and contracts authorized under the program;
Allowing the outreach office to coordinate outreach efforts among the many USDA agencies that serve farmers; and
More clearly defining organizations and institutions that are eligible for funding.

Program Administration

Coordination of the program has been recently moved and now functions out of Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). Outreach will remain in FSA. Grantees can be from anywhere in the country.

Program Status

This is an existing program. The availability of 3 year grants offers grantees greater support and allow them to establish better functioning and more sustainable programs.

How the Program is Funded

Funding for this program must be appropriated yearly.

Using the Program

Organizations representing socially disadvantaged producers can apply for funds to do outreach and training on a variety of issues such as marketing and conservation. Applications should be submitted to Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Competitive Grants Program; c/o Proposal Services Unit, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 1420, Waterfront Centre, 800 9th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024, telephone: (202) 401-5048.

CSREES suggests that proposed projects might include one or more of the following: the use of existing, and the formation of new, outreach and assistance networks focused on increasing participation in various USDA and other programs by socially disadvantaged agricultural producers; further development or modification of farm and ranch management (including marketing) and financial management curricula and materials designed to enhance the potential for farm and ranch ownership by socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; the development of innovative delivery systems that improve the effectiveness of these programs; and the development or improvement in the means by which assistance is provided to the targeted audiences.

Additional information, the request for applications, and application forms are posted on the web at http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/outreach.html Criteria for Eligibility

Entities eligible to apply for the program grants include any community-based organization, network, or coalition of community-based organizations that meets the program requirements for demonstrated experience in providing education or other services to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. Specified Institutions of higher education and those with experience in serving socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, tribal organizations, Hispanic-serving institutions, and others are also eligible entities.

Who to Contact

Rural Coalition
1012 14th Street NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone (202) 628-7160

Resources on the Internet

Additional information, the request for applications, and application forms are posted on the web at http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/outreach.html