USDA Invests $4.7 Million to Provide Outreach and Technical Assistance to Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of $4.7 million to establish partnerships with organizations to provide outreach and technical assistance to historically underserved farmers and ranchers. The partnerships will support participation in Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs, including those that are part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.   

Fifty-six project proposals, covering all states and territories, are being finalized to assist historically underserved farmers and ranchers in accessing FSA programs. Programs include outreach for pandemic assistance programs. These proposals will also assist in outreach for FSA’s farm programs, conservation programs, farm loans, county committee elections, disaster programs, the Heirs’ Property Relending Program, heirs’ property succession planning and the Agricultural Marketing Service’s Pandemic Response and Safety Grant program.

“Of the 56 selected proposals, four will directly impact farmers and ranchers in California,” said Jacque Johnson, Acting State Executive Director for FSA in California. “These partnerships will provide important technical assistance, outreach and education and will equip farmers and ranchers with the resources needed to access and participate in FSA’s programs and services.”

The organizations and projects impacting California include:

• California Farmlink providing support on Operating and Farm Ownership Loans in North Coast, Central Coast and Sacramento area.
• California State University Fresno Foundation Inc. providing support on the Tree Assistance Program, ARC-PLC, Emergency Livestock Assistance Program and Farm Registrations in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Merced, Madera, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare counties.
• Interfaith Sustainable Food System Collaborative providing support for FSA disaster programs in Alameda, Contra Costa, Sonoma, San Francisco and Marin counties.
• National Women in Agriculture Association: California Chapter providing support in Farm Ownership, other FSA programs and AMS's Pandemic Response and Safety Grant in San Diego, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Alameda and Fresno counties.

Read about all 56 funded projects and organizations on FSA’s cooperative agreements webpage.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

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Source: USDA

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