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Here at the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), we serve as the front door to USDA. Our mission is to develop and maintain partnerships to find solutions to the challenges facing rural and underserved communities – and to connect those communities to the education, tools and resources available through USDA programs and initiatives.
The 2501 Program, which was created through the 1990 Farm Bill, is a key part of this mission. Grants from the 2501 Program are awarded to higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations to extend USDA’s engagement efforts to help underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers and foresters.
Since 2010, the 2501 Program has provided more than $194 million dollars to fund more than 615 projects. This year, USDA will invest $27.6 million in grants to 41 organizations in 27 states.
Last week we announced the 2501 awardees for fiscal year (FY) 2023. I want to take this opportunity to recognize the amazing work that these organizations do to improve the lives of underserved communities and individuals across the country.
Through collaboration, we have a unique and critical opportunity to extend the value and benefits that each of our awardees brings to underserved individuals and communities. Their efforts align with, and expand the reach of, USDA’s own goals.
The work done at USDA is about foundationally and fundamentally improving the quality of life for people around the country. We could not do this work without the help, collaboration and partnership of organizations like this.
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The application process for USDA’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program, which offers financial assistance for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021, has been extended through January 13, 2024. For more information or to apply, visit 22007apply.gov. Updates on the program are available through a weekly e-newsletter that features information about the program, resources, recent office openings, and local events across the country. View previous newsletters here and sign up here to receive future newsletters.
USDA Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers
The Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers (ACMF) works to ensure that all farmers have equal access to USDA programs. The most recent ACMF meeting held on June 27-29 in Savannah, GA, and minutes and recommendations can be viewed on the ACMF website.
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“All aspects of your life, the heartaches and the joys, have brought you to where you are now,” Dr. Penny Brown Reynolds, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s deputy assistant secretary for civil rights, shared with a group of USDA 1890 national scholars at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program provides full tuition, fees, books, and room and board for selected students from rural and underserved communities who are studying food, agriculture, natural resources and other related sciences at an 1890 land-grant university.
“Your duty and responsibility is to leave this world better than you found it," she said. "Start where you are, with yourself, and always give back.”
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A recent graduate of Alcorn State University, Christopher Epps, experienced firsthand how a USDA investment in a student’s educational career can have a lifetime impact.
“The 1890 National Scholars Program played a crucial role in shaping my future career, education and life goals,” said Epps, who recently started his new career as a soil conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Brunswick, Georgia. “This experience solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in agriculture.”
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Since 1998, E. Kika De La Garza Fellowships have recognized highly accomplished staff and faculty at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Hispanic-Serving School Districts. Participants meet with USDA agencies to learn about the opportunities available for their respective institutions and their students. Science Fellows, like Associate Professor of Biotechnology Alok Arun from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico Barranquitas campus, also collaborate with leading USDA scientists and a USDA Research Center.
“My selection as one of USDA’s E. Kika De La Garza Science Fellows in 2022 opened many doors,” Arun said. “I spent a week in Washington, D.C. interacting with other fellows as well as leaders from various USDA agencies. I also learned about USDA’s funding initiatives to help HSIs excel at education and research in agriculture and allied areas.”
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OPPE oversees the Thurgood Marshall Internship Program, which gives students an opportunity to apply their educational and professional development experiences and obtain valuable experience that can lead to a full-time career upon graduation.
Kourtney Graves, a political science major at Jackson State University in Mississippi, was one of 64 students across the U.S. selected for a 10-week internship. “The opportunity to serve as an intern at USDA has had a significant impact on my professional development and increased the respect I have for United States federal agencies,” she said. “I have learned so much about the functions of not only USDA, but other federal agencies as well.”
Sign up for OPPE news to learn about future TMCF Internship Program and other student opportunities.
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OPPE Helps Train Future Farmers of America
USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small (pictured) spoke at the recent National Future Farmers of America (FFA) State Officer Summit in Washington, D.C. Attendees learned about USDA programs and resources at this five-day event. OPPE Deputy Director Kenya Nicholas and Youth Development Coordinator Lindsey Abentroth attended the event, where they were able to meet and engage with attendees throughout the week.
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Organizations gather to learn about USDA Resources at 2501 Symposium
Late last month, OPPE hosted the first in-person 2501 Symposium in three years. For two days, organizations that work with underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers had an opportunity to engage directly with USDA leaders and staff and become familiar with the programs, resources and services offered by USDA agencies.
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USDA announced $27.6 million in grants to provide training, outreach and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers and foresters. Funding is made through USDA’s 2501 Program, which is administered by OPPE. In FY 2023, USDA is investing $27.6 million in grants to 41 organizations in 27 states to help them provide outreach and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers.
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OPPE will host a two-day training opportunity tailored to transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses on October 31 and November 1. The One USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Training webinar provides a comprehensive overview of the opportunities, programs and services available at USDA to those interested in pursuing their journey in farming and ranching. Participants will learn how to connect with USDA and the programs and services that are available, as well as how to build a supportive network that will aid in the success of an agricultural operation.
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USDA, in coordination with other federal agencies, announces up to $65 million in grants available for the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program. This program helps address workforce needs in agriculture, promote a safe and healthy work environment for farmworkers, and aims to support expansion of lawful migration pathways for workers, including for workers from Northern Central America through the Department of Labor’s seasonal H-2A visa program.
Eligible employers include fixed-site employers, joint-employers, agricultural associations, and H-2A labor contractors. The maximum award amount is $2,000,000 and the minimum amount is $25,000 per grant agreement (including any sub-awardees).
Applications for the FLSP program must be received by on November 28, 2023 on or before 11:59 pm Eastern Time.
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How to Work with USDA
Are you wondering how your business or organization can work with USDA? The first step is understanding the different opportunities available:
- A contracting action includes any oral or written action that results in the purchase, rent, or lease of supplies or equipment, services, or construction. A contracting action does not include grants, cooperative agreements, or memorandums of understanding (MOU).
- A grant is a legal instrument of financial assistance between a federal awarding agency and a non-federal entity to carry out a public purpose authorized by law.
- A cooperative agreement reflects a relationship between the U.S. Government and a recipient and is used to assist the intermediary in providing goods or services to an authorized recipient.
- An MOU is a signed non-obligating and legally non-binding document that describes the intentions, roles, and responsibilities of parties who decide to work together under a collaborative effort.
Find out more at https://www.usda.gov/da/business.
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Meet Mina Gomez
Herminia (Mina) Gomez recently joined the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement as a USDA liaison for HSIs in the Northeast. Mina is based at the LaGuardia Community College, where she connects students, staff and other HSIs to USDA resources. A native of Queens, New York, Mina is thrilled to introduce other New Yorkers to opportunities and resources available through USDA.
She is a USDA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility champion and bridge-builder who likes to provide information and guidance for students, especially access to educational and professional opportunities to underrepresented communities.
Mina previously worked in higher education for more than 15 years: As an academic advisor at New York University (NYU), an admissions councilor at the City University of New York Welcome Center, and most recently as a program specialist/partnership manager for the Peace Corps Office of University Programs.
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