Funding Opportunity Announcement: Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers | OPPE 014

Opportunity Information: Apply for OPPE 014

This funding opportunity announcement (OPPE 014) is a mandatory USDA grant administered through the Department of Agriculture, DM-Office of Advocacy and Outreach, and it supports the work of the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, commonly referred to as the "2501 Program" (CFDA 10.443). The central purpose of the program is to expand fair access and real participation in USDA agricultural, forestry, and related programs by helping socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers strengthen their ability to own and operate farms and ranches. In practical terms, the program is designed to reduce barriers that can keep these producers from fully benefiting from USDA services and opportunities, and to increase their skills, knowledge, and readiness to engage with USDA programs and the broader agriculture economy.

The projects funded under this announcement are expected to focus on outreach, education, and training. That can include training in production agriculture, agribusiness, forestry, and agriculturally related services, along with guidance on how to navigate and use USDA programs. The announcement emphasizes efforts that help target producers participate equitably across the full range of USDA offerings, which typically means applicants should be thinking not only about technical or business training, but also about practical program access support such as awareness-building, application assistance, and helping producers understand eligibility rules, documentation needs, and program requirements. The overall structure is meant to pair community-based outreach with hands-on assistance so that producers are not just informed about opportunities, but are actually able to act on them.

Eligibility is broad and intended to include organizations that are positioned to reach underserved producer communities. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), and nonprofit organizations, including both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits that do not hold 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education). This mix of eligible entities reflects the program's reliance on trusted local, regional, and educational partners that can deliver culturally competent outreach and producer-focused training in ways that are accessible and responsive to the needs of the intended audiences.

From the funding details provided, awards under this opportunity have an award ceiling of $450,000, with an estimated 50 awards expected. The opportunity is categorized under multiple funding activity areas, including Agriculture, Community Development, Education, Food and Nutrition, and Opportunity Zone Benefits, which signals that projects may be competitive when they combine producer training and outreach with broader community or economic development outcomes tied to agriculture and land-based enterprises. The announcement was created on July 15, 2020, and had an original closing date of August 26, 2020, meaning it is a specific cycle of funding; applicants interested in current opportunities would typically look for the most recent 2501 Program notice or successor announcement.

At a high level, a strong proposal for this opportunity would usually be expected to show a clear plan for reaching socially disadvantaged, veteran, and beginning producers; delivering practical education and training in relevant agricultural and business topics; and providing effective outreach and assistance related to USDA program participation. The announcement notes that additional requirements and instructions are included in the attached package, which is where an applicant would normally find the formal definitions, required components of the application, evaluation criteria, reporting expectations, and any special conditions tied to the 2501 Program and OPPE partnership.

• The Department of Agriculture, DM-Office of Advocacy and Outreach in the agriculture, community development, education, food and nutrition, opportunity zone benefits sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Funding Opportunity Announcement: Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.443.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 15, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 26, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $450,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for OPPE 014

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