Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers

Providing grants to educational institutions and nonprofit organizations that provide outreach, training, and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers

This program is designed to reverse the decline of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers by encouraging and supporting them in their efforts to own and operate farms, participate in agricultural programs, and become an integral part of the agricultural community.

Project Examples

• Assistance was provided to farmers in marketing strategies and improvements, including the processing and marketing of food products through a food park developed in conjunction with a local chamber of commerce. The project also includes assistance to farmer participants to provide access to new markets and adding value (such as packing capabilities) to joint marketing efforts. The overall goal of the project is to increase net yields for participating small and disadvantaged farmers.
• Farm planning and marketing assistance is provided to increase the variety (including reintroducing native plants) of vegetables. Participation in the project also enables farmers to pursue continuing education toward a degree in agricultural fields. The overall goal is to increase farmer yields by better meeting food security and nutrition needs of local customers.

Training workshops and meetings (68 total) were held on farm management, record-keeping, and marketing topics. As a result of these and other project activities, 121 farmers were assisted in developing farm and home plans; 88 farmers began using record-keeping systems; 49 farmers secured loans from commercial banks and 29 secured loans from Farm Service Agency (FSA); 21 farmers completed conservation plans; and six farmers graduated from FSA credit to commercial sources. The project also developed a demonstration on how to grow greens and an 8-week residential program for youth on beginning agriculture.

Application and Financial Information
Requests for proposals appear in the Federal Register. Eligible educational institutions and community-based organizations should submit a written proposal to the address given in the Federal Register. Notice of action taken on proposals will generally be given within 90 days of the proposal submission deadline.

Eligibility, Uses, and Restrictions
Eligible institutions include community-based institutions; land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee University, Indian tribal community colleges and Alaska Native cooperative colleges; and Hispanic-serving post-secondary educational institutions that:

• Have demonstrated experience in providing agricultural education or other agriculturally related services to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers
• Provide documentary evidence of past experience in working with socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers during the 2 years preceding the application for assistance
• Do not engage in activities prohibited under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986

Applicants must have the financial, legal, administrative, and operational capacity to carry out the objectives of the program. Applicants should provide a certification of all members of the applicant/applicant entity including name, gender, race, and national origin.

Educational and community-based organizations receive grants to provide outreach and technical assistance to encourage and assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to own and operate farms and ranches and to participate in USDA programs and services. Assistance includes information on:

• Farm management — operating a farm or ranch to produce income adequate to service debt, maintain farm or ranch operations, and provide a reasonable standard of living
• Application and bidding procedures
• Other essential information needed to participate in USDA programs and services

Contact
Dr. E. Tuckermanty
National Program Office
Phone: (202) 2050241
Fax: (202) 7207489

Internet
www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/outreachassistancesociallydisadvantagedfarmersranchers.html