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Funding is being provided to eligible entities who, in partnership with the Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO), will conduct outreach initiatives and training to achieve the overall goal of the Outreach for Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (2501 Program)—to assist socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and operating farms and ranches while increasing their participation in agricultural programs and services provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Funding Levels: $200,000 (maximum award) - $8.4 million is available in funding

Eligibility: Funding will be awarded based on peer competition within the following three categories:

1. Category #1: 1890 Land Grant colleges and universities, 1994 Alaska Native and American Indian Tribal colleges and universities, and Hispanic-Serving colleges and universities. OAO expects to make awards totaling at least $2 million for this category.
2. Category #2: Nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, including a network or a coalition of community-based organizations, Indian Tribes and National Tribal organizations. OAO expects to make awards totaling at least $2 million for this category
3. Category #3: All other institutions of higher education including 1862 colleges, nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status certification from the IRS, and other organizations or institutions, including those that received funding under this program before January 1, 1996. OAO expects to make awards totaling at least $1 million for this category

Eligible projects: The 2501 Program provides funding to eligible organizations for training and technical assistance projects designed to assist socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and operating viable agricultural enterprises. The outreach and technical assistance program funds shall be used exclusively:

1. To enhance coordination of the outreach, technical assistance, and education efforts authorized under agriculture programs;
2. To assist the Secretary of Agriculture in:
   • Reaching current and prospective socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and veteran farmers or ranchers in a linguistically appropriate manner; and,
   • Improving the participation of those farmers and ranchers in USDA programs.

Proposals from eligible entities must address two or more of the following priority areas:

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

Duration: The maximum project period is one year.

Match: There is no match requirement for this program.

The application is due August 7, 2017. The anticipated award date is no later than September 30, 2017.

The full Request for Application can be found here.

For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison's assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530.893.4764.