Expands Education for Minority, Women, New, Military Veteran and Urban Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced cooperative agreements with 46 partners to educate producers, including those who have been historically underserved by USDA programs, about Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs that provide financial, disaster or technical support. Nearly $2.5 million will go to nonprofits and universities that will provide training and access to FSA programs, financial resources and other information.
“We’re always innovating to find new ways for our programs to reach more producers and create more jobs in agriculture,” said FSA Administrator Val Dolcini. “The organizations selected as part of this effort share USDA’s priority of helping more Americans build successful farms and ranches.”
Cooperative agreements totaling nearly $2.5 million and encompassing 24 states, will range from $25,000 to $99,999 each. This additional investment builds on the $2.5 million in cooperative agreements awarded in 2016. A list of awardees can be found at www.fsa.usda.gov/cooperativeagreements.
Over the past eight years, USDA has taken big, bold steps to forge a new era for civil rights and ensure all Americans who come to USDA for help are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Through coordinated outreach and consistent engagement, USDA is forming new partnerships in diverse communities and regaining trust where it was once lost. Learn more about our progress during the Obama Administration to increase access to opportunity for all Americans, and to create a more equal and inclusive USDA in Chapter 8 of our yearlong results project: The People’s Department: A New Era for Civil Rights at USDA.