FOA-USDA/Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) – Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (OPPE-014); July 28, 2020

 

Purpose:  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) solicits applications for the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the “2501 Program”) to provide funding to assist socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and operating farms and ranches while increasing their participation in agricultural programs and services provided by the USDA. This program will assist eligible community-based organizations, higher education institutions, and tribal entities in providing outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers. Program funds shall be used exclusively:

 

1.   To enhance coordination of the outreach, technical assistance, and education efforts authorized under agriculture programs;

2.   To assist the Secretary of Agriculture in:

a.   Reaching current and prospective socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and veteran farmers or ranchers in a linguistically appropriate manner; and

b.   Improving the participation of those farmers and ranchers in USDA programs.

 

Proposals from eligible entities must address two or more of the following priority areas:

1.   Assist socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and operating successful farms and ranches;

2.   Improve participation among socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers in USDA programs;

3.   Build relationships between current and prospective farmers and ranchers who are socially disadvantaged or veterans and USDA’s local, state, regional, and National offices;

4.   Introduce agriculture-related information to socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers through innovative training and technical assistance techniques; and

5.   Introduce agricultural education targeting socially disadvantaged youth, and/or socially disadvantaged beginning farmers and ranchers, in rural and persistent poverty communities.

 

Note: Applicants must have demonstrated experience in providing agricultural education or services to social disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

 

Funding Amount/Project Period:  $150,000 per year for 3 years

 

Link to Funding Opportunity Announcement

 

Institutional Limit: 1

 

Internal Competition: To participate in the university’s selection process,please upload the following,assembled into a single PDF file, to the Office of the Vice President for Research via this portal with a copy to your Associate Dean for Research by July 28, 2020:

 

·        Names and departments or affiliations of the Project Director and other key personnel or partners;

·        Title of program and/or funding opportunity announcement number;

·        Brief project description, including indication of the priority areas and evidence of required expertise in provision of this outreach and education (2 pages maximum);

·        Brief biographical sketch

 

A committee will be convened to review the material and make a recommendation.

 

For questions or issues with submission through the portal, email the limited submission mailbox (limitedsubmissions@uky.edu), or call 257-2861.

 

Agency Deadline:  August 26, 2020