Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers | OAO 012

Opportunity Information: Apply for OAO 012

The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers grant opportunity (often referred to as the "2501 Program") is a mandatory USDA funding program administered through the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OAO). Its central purpose is to support projects that provide practical training, outreach, and technical assistance to help socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and veteran farmers and ranchers successfully own, manage, and sustain viable agricultural operations. The program is framed around equity and access, with an explicit emphasis on ensuring these producers can participate fairly in USDA programs and services that may otherwise be harder to navigate without targeted support.

This opportunity is categorized as an agriculture grant (Funding Activity Category: Agriculture) and is listed under CFDA number 10.443. The funding mechanism is a grant, and the opportunity itself is labeled as mandatory, indicating it is tied to program authorization and required funding provisions rather than being purely discretionary. The funding opportunity title is "Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers," and the specific funding opportunity number is OAO 012. The posting shows a creation date of March 26, 2018, with an original application closing date of May 15, 2018. The award ceiling listed is $200,000, which signals that individual awards were expected not to exceed that amount. While the notice references expected awards, the provided source text does not include a numeric value.

Eligible applicants are a range of organizations that are positioned to deliver outreach, education, and hands-on assistance at the community level. The eligibility list includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education). In addition, the description highlights eligibility for certain types of colleges and universities defined under federal law, including any 1890 and/or 1994 Institution of Higher Education (as defined in 7 U.S.C. 7601) and any Hispanic-serving Institution of Higher Education (also defined in 7 U.S.C. 7601). These institution types are specifically called out because they often have established extension, workforce development, and community training capabilities aligned with the program's goals.

In practical terms, the projects supported through this program are meant to reduce barriers that socially disadvantaged and veteran producers face when trying to start, expand, or stabilize agricultural enterprises. That can include delivering training that improves business viability, providing one-on-one technical assistance, and conducting outreach that connects producers to USDA programs and resources. The emphasis on "equitable participation" indicates the program is not only about general farm training, but also about helping eligible producers understand, access, and successfully use USDA offerings that affect farm operations, financing, conservation practices, risk management, and long-term sustainability. The overall intent is to strengthen producer capacity and improve outcomes for groups that have historically had less access to institutional support and federal program participation.

• The Office of Partnerships and Public Engagements in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "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 2018-03-26.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-05-15. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, 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, Others.

Apply for OAO 012

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