Fall is officially upon us now, and we’re continuing our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month through October 15. As you can see below, both the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) offer many initiatives to support the Hispanic community. I’d also like to highlight the story below recognizing USDA’s 110-year partnership with 4-H, since this is National 4-H Week (October 7-12).

At USDA and OPPE, we are deeply committed to increasing participation in USDA programs. With that in mind, I’m excited to celebrate the awardees of USDA’s 2501 Program grants in 2024. These grants play a vital role in supporting underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers and foresters by connecting them with USDA programs and resources that can help them be successful. This year, USDA is investing $22.6 million in grants to 31 organizations in 22 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.  

Grants are given to organizations that work directly with underserved and veteran groups. These organizations offer vital technical assistance, knowledge and tools to help individuals and communities establish new market opportunities and achieve success. Grantees essentially serve as force multipliers that empower communities and individual farmers alike. Since 2010, the 2501 Program has awarded 680 grants totaling $229.4 million. I encourage you to take a moment to explore some of the recent inspiring 2501 Program stories that highlight the triumphs, resilience and innovation of those we are privileged to serve.

Meet USDA Liaison Hermina Gomez

In her role as a USDA liaison, Herminia Gomez works with communities to create access to USDA programs. She also provides students, faculty and staff at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in the Northeast with professional development and educational opportunities. “I often speak with students who have a lot of skills and do not realize it,” she said. “Those students are persistent, resilient, creative, and speak multiple languages. With those skills, they can do anything.”

E. Kika De La Garza Fellow Helps Students Step Out of Their Comfort Zone

Dr. Circe Niezen, professor at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico is a USDA E. Kika De La Garza (EKDLG) fellow, a role that has made her a conduit of information for USDA at her university, encouraging her students to consider futures in agriculture and USDA. Her specialization in industrial engineering education has been enriched by the EKDLG fellowship, which strengthens educational partnerships with faculty from HSIs to collaborate with USDA to gain insight and understanding of the federal government.

HSI Educators See USDA Staff in Action

USDA Liaison Herminia Gomez recently organized a trip for LaGuardia Community College faculty and John Browne High School staff to Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx, N.Y. There they met with staff from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and Food Safety and Inspection Service to learn about the agencies’ work, including the job duties of an agricultural food inspector and commodity grader to ensure produce safety and quality.

USDA Announces $22.6 Million to Support Underserved and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers through the 2501 Program

USDA is awarding $22.6 million in grants to community-based and nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education and Tribal entities that help underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers own and operate successful farms through the 2501 Program. Based in local communities and rural areas, 2501 Program partners increase equitable participation in USDA’s programs and services.

A 2501 Program Grant Helps Connect Spanish-speaking South Texas Farmers to Agriculture Opportunities at USDA

According to the latest AgCensus, 77% of the agriculture producers in the Rio Grande Valley identify as Hispanic. A University of Texas Rio Grande Valley program is using a USDA 2501 Program grant to connect South Texas farmers to agriculture opportunities at USDA by facilitating access by Spanish-speaking individuals.

“This 2501 grant really gave us an opportunity to help producers understand the opportunities USDA offers and assist them in taking advantage of those opportunities,” said Director Aisha Cruz-Reyes (standing).

OPPE Staff See Firsthand How 2501 Program Grants Make a Difference to Hispanic Farmers

In September, OPPE team members visited 2501 Program grant partner Agriculture and Land Base Training Association (ALBA) in Salinas Valley, Calif. This non-profit organization trains and supports farmworkers to start and expand their own farm or ranch business model. For example, Jessie (second from left), immigrated from Mexico a decade ago as a farmworker and is now halfway through a four-year training program with ALBA. He currently has his own registered farm where he and family members grow produce through a land leasing program offered by ALBA. They sell their produce to wholesale distributors.

 USDA Celebrates National 4-H Week

Early October brings the opportunity to celebrate National 4-H Week and the incredible impact the organization offers young people around the country. At USDA, we pay special tribute to this observance as the 4-H Youth Development program is headquartered in USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Among USDA’s nearly 100,000 employees, many are proud 4-H alumni who attribute their career success to what they learned as members of and past leaders in 4-H.

USDA Celebrates Students as They Return to School

As we enter the time of year when students return to the classroom, USDA is here to cheer you on and offer support at every step of the journey.  At OPPE, we make connections to the education tools and resources available through USDA programs with the help of dedicated staff located around the United States. We foster relationships between students in the classroom and the community by partnering with student organizations and providing a range of initiatives to help youth meet and exceed their potential. USDA also offers employment opportunities for students and recent graduates to work in agriculture, science, nutrition and more. Learn more at https://www.usda.gov/youth.

Agriculture Future of America Student Delegates Visit USDA Headquarters

USDA recently welcomed Agriculture Future of America (AFA) student delegates to its headquarters in Washington, D.C. for a Policy Institute meeting, where they learned about USDA history and career opportunities. Last December, USDA signed an agreement with 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.

USDA and Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) Support a Diverse Talent Pipeline with New Agreement

USDA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) to increase awareness of USDA as an employer of choice and facilitate the recruitment of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander college students.

“As we sign this historic MOU with CAPAL, USDA reaffirms our commitment to connecting AA and NHPI students with the “People’s Department,” said USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement Director Lisa Ramirez. “Today’s MOU signing is made even more special by taking place during Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week.”

CAPAL Intern Drawn to Federal Employment Opportunities

Ally Huang's recent CAPAL internship with USDA Agricultural Research Service shaped her career aspirations, particularly her interest in working for USDA or the federal government more broadly.

“When I came to Washington D.C. and spoke to passionate USDA leaders, it surprised and inspired me to see so much warmth and their eagerness to introduce us to their work,” she said. “It seems like there really is a need for people with my background or who bring their own identities to join the USDA.”

Meet Jaime Wood

Jaime L. Wood joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture in July 2024 and currently serves as the Strategic Initiatives National Program Manager in OPPE. She is responsible for overseeing the 2501 Program, which provides grants to help underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers and foresters. Additionally, Jaime leads OPPE’s work to conduct outreach and enhance access to USDA programs for women, military veterans, migrant farmworkers, and underserved Asian-Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.

Throughout the 10 years prior to joining USDA, Wood served in various roles with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) including South Dakota district director, acting Illinois district director, North Dakota deputy district director, and director for policy and engagement in the SBA headquarters Office of Veterans Business Development. In 2017, she participated in an interagency detail with the USDA as a special advisor to the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison to expand veteran small business ownership in agricultural and rural areas.

Wood began her government civilian career in 2006, serving as a U.S. Department of the Army civilian in multiple military public affairs, strategic communication, and staff positions in U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command in Germany. Her duties included several deployments to Africa and within Europe.

She is a U.S. Army veteran, having served as a military broadcast journalist. Originally from South Dakota, Wood is a Class of 2016 graduate of the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA, where she earned a Master of strategic studies. She also holds a Master of Arts in public administration from Bowie State University in Bowie, Md.

That six states produce more than half of all pumpkins in the U.S. by weight? According to the USDA Economic Research Service, U.S. farms produced about 1.2 billion pounds of pumpkins in 2022. Illinois alone harvested 634 million pounds. The next five largest pumpkin-producing states by weight were Indiana with 161 million pounds, California with 122 million pounds, Michigan and Pennsylvania with 90 million pounds each, and Virginia with 55 million pounds.

Most pumpkins are grown for decorative purposes, with a smaller amount processed into puree to be used in food products such as pies, muffins, or breads. However, in Illinois—the largest producer by both acres and weight— almost 80 percent of pumpkins are grown for pie filling or other processing uses.