As we approach Veterans Day, I want to personally thank all the veterans for your service. Because of you, America remains strong. As an Army veteran myself, I have a first-hand appreciation of the sacrifices that you’ve made for your country. 

At USDA, we understand the critical role that veterans, military spouses and transitioning service members can play in revitalizing and strengthening our agricultural industry. This is why we take pride in providing valuable resources that can help veterans as they transition from military to civilian life.

USDA’s Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison, also known as the MVAL, connects veterans with the resources they need to obtain the right tools, skills, training, experience and qualifications to participate in careers in agriculture. In fact, the MVAL hosted a Beginning Farming and Ranching Virtual Webinar for Transitioning Service Members, Spouses and Veterans earlier this month. This workshop provided the basics on how to begin a farming or ranching career, as well as information about urban agriculture, employment opportunities at USDA, and how to create a business plan. 

Additionally, USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) manages the 2501 Program for underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers provides up to $750,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education to, in turn, provide no-cost outreach and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. 

As USDA improves support to veterans, underserved farmworkers farmers, ranchers, landowners and communities, I encourage you visit our web page for veterans to learn more about the employment, education and entrepreneurship opportunities available through USDA, and to reach out to our MVAL for more information at veterans@usda.gov. 

USDA Offers Many Resources for Veterans

USDA understands the essential role that veterans, military spouses, and transitioning service members have in revitalizing and strengthening our agricultural industry. We are dedicated to providing a range of training resources and support. Last week, USDA hosted a webinar outlining the basics on beginning a farming or ranching career, finding employment at USDA, and more. Almost 600 veterans, transitioning veterans and military spouses participated. Much of the resources described are featured in USDA’s “Get Started! A Guide to USDA Resources for Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers” book. This publication describes assistance and targeted opportunities available to minority, women, veteran, beginning and limited resource producers and is available in multiple languages.

Carolina Air National Guard Veteran Topeka Ham Finds New Calling with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service

Veteran Topeka Ham found a new calling serving the American public through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) after 26 years in the South Carolina Air National Guard. As her Air Force career began winding down, Ham began looking into opportunities to continue her federal career in the civilian sector. She reached out to the USDA’s Military Veteran Agricultural Liaison (MVAL), Monshi “Ram” Ramdass. 

Ham says her military experience, where she honed her administrative and multitasking skills, helped prepare her for her current position as a program support assistant at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS). 

USDA Signs Memorandum of Understanding with National FFA Organization

On November 2, 2023, USDA Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo to underscore the Department’s commitment to the next generation of agricultural leaders. Under the MOU, USDA commits to building awareness of the reach and importance of agriculture across multiple fields and disciplines, as well as communicating available USDA internship opportunities to the National FFA Organization members and alumni. USDA will also identify areas where a student or youth perspective may benefit USDA programs and resources and engage with FFA to provide such representation. 

This partnership builds on USDA’s commitment to finding solutions to the challenges facing rural and underserved communities and connecting those communities to the education, tools, and resources available to them through USDA programs and initiatives. “The MOU signed today comes at a key time to strengthen USDA’s involvement with the National FFA Organization and its valuable education mission,” said Secretary Vilsack. “Through our partnership, we will continue working together to prepare young people to pursue careers in agriculture.”

For more information about USDA’s resources and opportunities for youth, visit www.usda.gov/youth.

USDA Sponsors HACU Conference

USDA recently sponsored the 37th Annual Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Annual Conference Annual Conference in Chicago, IL. Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small addressed the entire conference at the Opening Plenary, and representatives from 12 USDA agencies engaged with approximately 2000 academic professionals and 500 students while hosting workshops, participating on networking panels, and hosting the OneUSDA booth. Additionally, USDA sponsored 23 students from Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to attend the conference and participate in the Adelante Student Professional Development Track.

USDA Sponsors SACNAS Conference

USDA recently sponsored the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in STEM (SACNAS) Conference in Portland, OR. Staff from multiple USDA agencies exhibited in the career fair and met with students to provide information about internship and employment opportunities at USDA. SACNAS is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advance degrees, careers and positions of leadership in STEM. This year’s SACNAS Conference achieved record attendance numbers, counting over 6,500 registered attendees, with nearly half being students.

Associate Professor Makes a Better Way for Students through E. Kika de la Garza Fellowship

USDA’s E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program strengthens educational partnerships with faculty and staff from HSIs. Fellows meet directly with USDA agencies to learn about USDA opportunities that are available for their respective institutions and their students as well as their surrounding communities.  

Associate Professor Dr. Engil Pereira, from the School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, was a USDA E. Kika de la Garza Science Fellow in 2022. “I have been able to create partnerships that provide internship opportunities for my students, giving them the hands-on experience, they'll need in their careers,” she said.

USDA Liaisons Partner with 1890 Universities Foundation to Help Students Find Jobs

Multiple USDA Liaisons from the 1890 Program, as well as Natural Resource Conservation Service staff, shared information about USDA programs and resources with 1890 students and staff at the 1890 Universities Foundation Career Development Conference in Atlanta, GA. The 1890 Universities Foundation works with 1890 USDA Liaisons to identify students in the 1890s Program who completed specific courses with majors relating to soil conservation and soil sciences. Through a grant from NRCS, students were able to travel to the conference with university chaperones and their USDA Liaison at no cost.

USDA Extends Application Deadline for Discrimination Financial Assistance to January 13

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, we encourage you to 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. 

USDA Launches the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program

USDA has extended the deadline for the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP). Applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. on January 3, 2024.

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).

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Anthony Hudson

Colonel Anthony Hudson has worked for USDA for over 28 years, eight of them as a USDA Liaison at Alabama A&M University, an 1890 Land-Grant Institution. In this role, he works with university faculty and staff to ensure that they are aware of USDA programs and opportunities – especially the USDA 1890 Scholars Program. He also works closely with students in a mentorship role. 

Hudson is a member of the United States Army Reserve and has been in the Army Reserves and National Guard for over 28 years. He serves as the Officer in Charge of Army Material Command - Army Reserve Element DET1/5 and recently helped with relief efforts after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He previously served two combat tours in multiple roles. Hudson has also served as a Company and Battalion Commander. 

“I feel like my military experience really prepared me to plan and execute tasks,” he said. “It’s also helped me to become a better and more direct communicator.” 

Hudson has completed Command and General Staff College and training as an Equal Opportunity Advisor. He will graduate from the Army War College in July 2024. He has received numerous awards, including medals for Meritorious Service, Joint Service Commendation, Army Commendation, Global War on Terrorism and Army Reserve Components Achievement.