As the year ends, I want to take a moment to celebrate the impact that USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) and its many partners have had this year. Through our collective efforts, we have empowered students, educators, veterans, underserved farmers and nonprofit organizations to achieve their goals and make a difference in their communities.

The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, Thurgood Marshall Scholarship, and HEP/CAMP internship program have enabled deserving students to pursue their education and unlock their full potential by easing their financial burdens and providing opportunities to build strong foundations for their future careers. Through the E. Kika De La Garza Fellows program, educators at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) have gained insight into federal funding resources to help HSIs expand collaborations with USDA.

USDA’s Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison connects veterans to training and employment opportunities, allowing them to continue their service as civilians. Through USDA 2501 Program grants, USDA has empowered institutions and organizations to implement innovative initiatives that address critical social and environmental challenges faced by veterans and underserved communities. These partnerships have allowed them to expand their reach, enhance their impact, and create sustainable change in their respective fields.

By fostering strong relationships with students, nonprofit partners and USDA, these efforts have also created a network of like-minded individuals and organizations working together towards a common vision of a better future.

As we look forward to the coming year, let us continue to embrace the spirit of giving and empowerment. Together, we can further expand our reach, deepen our impact, and create even more opportunities for underserved students and communities.

USDA Opens Applications for 2024 E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program 

USDA is accepting applications for the 2024 USDA E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program. This program offers faculty and staff from Hispanic-Serving Institutions the opportunity to work collaboratively with USDA to gain insight and understanding of the federal government. Fellows receive access to long-term collaboration opportunities with USDA agencies, and then share what they have learned with students and colleagues at their home institutions and in their communities.  Applications are due by March 4, 2024.

Discovering Alternative Careers in Agriculture through the E. Kika de la Garza Fellowship

A longtime biology instructor at Yakima Valley College (YVC), Claire Carpenter was selected as one of 20 fellows for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 2022 E. Kika de La Garza (EKDLG) Fellowship Program. As an EKDLG Science Fellow, she also had the opportunity to partner with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) laboratory and experimental farm in Wapato, Washington to study the role of insects in transmitting agricultural diseases. She now includes plant pathogens in class content about vector-mediated disease transmission.

“Many students are not considering agricultural research or policy as a career,” she said. “Many YVC students with an interest in science will benefit from learning about these and other career options for doing meaningful work with USDA.”

USDA 1890 Scholar Helps Lead 2024 Macy’s Day Parade

USDA 1890 National Scholar Zakiah Goodlow, a standout sophomore at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, is excelling both academically and musically. Majoring in Business Administration with a focus on Finance and maintaining an impressive 4.0 GPA, Goodlow is not only a scholar but also a skilled percussionist in the Marching Maroon and White Band.

Recently, she achieved a historic milestone by being in the first Historically Black University Band to lead the Macy's Day Parade. Practicing tirelessly throughout the season, Goodlow and her bandmates showcased their talents on the 2.5-mile parade route, captivating audiences and making their mark on one of the nation's grandest stages. For Goodlow, the experience went beyond the parade as she relished her first visit to New York, soaking in the festive atmosphere of Rockefeller Center and the enchanting Christmas lights.

MVAL Meets with Florida Senators

USDA Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison (MVAL) Monshi “Ram” Ramdass (left) recently met with the Florida Senate Agricultural Committee to describe the USDA programs available to veterans.

He also highlighted USDA’s commitment to including transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses in every aspect of the Department’s business and developing and retaining a high-performing workforce that includes military families.

2501 Grant Enhances Food Sovereignty Among Native Communities

Based in King County, Washington, FEED 7 Generations works to improve the health of Native people in the Pacific Northwest by strengthening local businesses and enhancing food security and community connections. The organization was able to secure a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2501 grant, designed to help underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers and foresters, to further their efforts.

The organization began by conducting a needs analysis of the Native producers in the region, then used the data collected to create a resource directory featuring Native farms and food producers in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Upon learning that Native producers also sought training opportunities, the organization hosted a food sovereignty symposium where attendees could learn how to start a food business, bring cultural traditions into the marketplace, and develop strong connections within Indian Country’s food system while showcasing their products.

USDA Signs MOU with Agriculture Future of America 

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Agriculture Future of America (AFA) formalizing a partnership to strengthen the future competitiveness and sustainability of the U.S. agriculture industry by preparing more young people for careers in agriculture. AFA seeks to build bridges for young leaders to foster engagement and innovation in food and agriculture and connect them with today’s industry leaders, equipping them with the skills necessary for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

USDA and AFA will continue to collaborate to foster leadership development; explore opportunities for providing expertise in consulting, planning and technical assistance; and equitably implement USDA programs to further agriculture research, extension, and teaching programs as well as library and information services. 

AFA Young Leaders Conference

USDA recently attended the Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Youth Leaders Conference in Kansas City, MO. Staff from multiple USDA agencies exhibited in the career fair and met with students to share information about internship and employment opportunities at USDA. AFA offers leader and career development training and community-based academic scholarships for college students pursuing a career in an agriculture-related field. Over 1,200 students and industry professionals with a passion for the future of agriculture attended this event.

OPPE Seeks to Create Opportunities for Job Corps Students

OPPE staff members recently visited the Weber Basin Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center in Ogden, Utah to witness firsthand how the students in this Forest Service Job Corps program learn different trades, interact with the agency’s fire program, and connect with national forests. Students shared their backgrounds and the experiences they gained from participating in Job Corps, as well as their future goals and plans. OPPE looks forward to connecting with and supporting Job Corps students across rural America with work-based learning and hiring opportunities at USDA. To learn more about the Forest Service Job Corps program, visit the Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers website.

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 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).

Building a Data-driven Decision Strategy

To ensure that USDA policies, programs and investments are grounded in evidence and tailored to the needs of our farmers, ranchers and consumers, on December 1, USDA released an updated and comprehensive 2024-2026 Data Strategy. The Strategy aims to achieve the full potential of data in five focus areas: data governance and leadership, data and analytics workforce, common data and analytics, open data, and analytics for a purpose. It also focuses on advanced analytics and artificial intelligence, including ethical and responsible use of data as well as avoidance of risk and bias.

This strategy is designed to ensure that USDA’s workforce, infrastructure and policies enable a strong culture of data-informed decision-making while supporting our values and commitment to our stakeholders. 

Deputy Director Kenya Nicholas

OPPE Deputy Director Kenya Nicholas (center, above) was recently inducted into the George Washington Carver Public Service Hall of Fame. This public service honor is awarded to individuals whose work demonstrates the philosophy of George Washington Carver: To do the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Award recipients are recognized for their significant accomplishments in the areas of teaching and outreach designed to improve the quality of life for the rural clientele served by the 1890 land-grant universities.

Nicholas has served at USDA for over 32 years, holding the role of OPPE’s deputy director since July 2021. In this role, she establishes and maintains partnerships at the executive level with higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations to achieve mutual strategic goals. She oversees USDA’s 1890 Land-Grant Institutions National Program, including the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program. She also engages in cross-agency collaboration, planning and coordinating outreach efforts in underserved and veteran communities and ensuring that these communities and others are aware of USDA programs, resources and initiatives.

Prior to her current role, she served as a supervisory grants manager with OPPE and as a loan specialist with USDA’s Rural Development within the Rural Utilities Service, as well as the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. She attended Strayer University in Alexandria, Virginia and is a military spouse. 

USDA Food and Nutrition Service offers Summer Meals for Children

USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) offers new tools to address childhood hunger during the summer. On top of USDA’s traditional congregate summer meals program, states now have the option to provide summer meals to children through “grab and go” or home delivered meals in certain rural areas. Additionally, starting next summer, states, tribes, and territories that opt in by January 1, 2024 can provide families with $120 worth of food per summer for each eligible child through our new nationwide Summer EBT Program. To learn more about FNS summer meals programs, visit: https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer. Also, check out and amplify Secretary Vilsack’s video on our summer meals programs, along with a Spanish-language version by Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small.  

USDA Has a Long History of Helping Families Plan Holiday Meals

On December 21, 1931, the USDA Office of Information released the latest installment of the radio program “Housekeepers’ Chat” produced by the Bureau of Home Economics for American farm wives. Titled “A Colorful Christmas,” the program encouraged listeners to make menus early to avoid “that annoying question forever popping up from the back of your mind – ‘What shall I give my guests to eat?’” The host of the program, Aunt Sammy, suggested an appetizer of chilled fruit, a main course of roast turkey with chestnut stuffing, a salad with a Christmas color scheme, and a hot plum pudding for dessert. 

Over 92 years later, the FNS continues to offer healthy, budget-friendly holiday meal planning suggestions. Here you can find recipes, money-saving tips, dietary guidance, and other valuable resources that take some of the stress out of holiday planning. That’s a gift worth sharing!