USDA has announced $27.6 million in grant funding for underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers through a program originally created in the 1990 Farm Bill.
The funding, distributed through USDA's 2501 Program, aims to “provide training, outreach and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers, and foresters to help them own and operate successful farms, ranches, and forest lands,” USDA said in a news release.
Forty-one organizations in 27 states will receive funding through this program.
Five groups in California are among those receiving funding: Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, Community Partners, California Farmlink, California Association of Resource Conservation Districts and American Farmland Trust.
The program, run through USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, “demonstrates USDA’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of the country’s underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers and foresters by ensuring that they have access to and are equipped with the resources, knowledge and tools to be successful,” said OPPE Director Lisa Ramirez.
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The program was created in the 1990 Farm Bill “to help underserved farmers, ranchers and foresters who have historically experienced limited access to USDA loans, grants, training and technical assistance,” USDA said.
It was expanded to include veterans in the 2014 Farm Bill.
A list of all funded projects and descriptions of each are available on the OPPE website.
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