Opportunity Information: Apply for OPPE 017
The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers grant opportunity (commonly known as the "2501 Program") is a U.S. Department of Agriculture initiative administered through the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). Its core purpose is to expand access and participation in USDA agricultural, forestry, and related programs for groups that have historically faced barriers, specifically socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers. In practical terms, the program is meant to help these producers strengthen their ability to own and operate farms and ranches, build viable agricultural businesses, and engage on an equal footing with the full suite of USDA services and programs.
The opportunity funds projects that focus on outreach, education, and hands-on assistance. Competitive proposals generally center on training and technical support in areas like production agriculture, agribusiness development, forestry, and other agriculture-related services, along with targeted guidance on how to navigate USDA programs. A notable element is the emphasis on connecting participants directly to USDA resources, including helping them understand eligibility requirements, application steps, and how to make effective use of USDA tools and services. The description also makes clear that youth engagement can be part of the work: projects may include activities aimed at developing socially disadvantaged youth interest in agriculture, which can support longer-term pipelines into farming and agricultural careers.
A distinctive feature of this grant is the expectation of active partnership and coordination with USDA, particularly OPPE. Applicants are expected to work closely with OPPE during the project, participate in OPPE-led events within the proposed service territory, and collaborate with local USDA Service Centers in the state. These Service Centers include the Farm Service Agency (FSA), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Rural Development, which are often the key entry points for producers seeking loans, conservation assistance, disaster programs, and rural business support. The collaboration requirement signals that projects should not operate in isolation; instead, they should be structured to connect underserved and veteran producers to on-the-ground USDA staff and programs in a sustained, practical way.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a mandatory grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number OPPE 017) listed under CFDA 10.443. The eligible applicant pool is broad and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, other tribal organizations, and nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in the nonprofit category). The award ceiling is $750,000, and the agency anticipated making about 50 awards under this announcement. The opportunity was posted on March 10, 2022, with an original closing date of June 8, 2022.
Overall, the grant is designed for organizations that can credibly reach underserved, veteran, and beginning producers, deliver culturally competent and practical education or technical assistance, and demonstrate real coordination with USDA offices so that participants not only receive training, but also successfully engage with USDA programs and services that can support farm and ranch viability over time.Apply for OPPE 017
- The Department of Agriculture, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagements in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) 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 Mar 10, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 08, 2022. (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 $750,000.00 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.
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FAQs: USDA 2501 Program (Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers)
What is the 2501 Program?
The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers grant opportunity, commonly called the "2501 Program," is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiative administered through the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). It funds projects that expand access to and participation in USDA agricultural, forestry, and related programs for producers who have historically faced barriers.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The core purpose is to increase participation in USDA programs by supporting outreach, education, and hands-on assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers. The program aims to help these producers strengthen their ability to own and operate farms and ranches, build viable agricultural businesses, and engage effectively with USDA services and programs.
Which groups are specifically prioritized or served by this program?
Based on the opportunity description, the program is focused on serving: socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers.
What kinds of activities or projects does the grant fund?
The opportunity funds projects centered on outreach, education, and direct assistance. Competitive projects typically include training and technical support in production agriculture, agribusiness development, forestry, and other agriculture-related services, along with targeted guidance to help participants navigate USDA programs.
Does the program support help with USDA program navigation and applications?
Yes. A notable emphasis in the description is connecting participants directly to USDA resources, including helping them understand USDA eligibility requirements, application steps, and how to use USDA tools and services effectively.
Is youth engagement allowed under this opportunity?
Yes. The description states that youth engagement can be part of the work. Projects may include activities that develop socially disadvantaged youth interest in agriculture, supporting longer-term pathways into farming and agricultural careers.
What is OPPE, and what role does it play in funded projects?
OPPE is the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, and it administers this grant opportunity. Funded projects are expected to actively coordinate with OPPE during the project period, including participation in OPPE-led events within the proposed service territory.
Are applicants expected to partner or coordinate with USDA as part of the project?
Yes. A distinctive feature of this grant is the expectation of active partnership and coordination with USDA, particularly OPPE. Projects are expected to collaborate with local USDA Service Centers in the state and participate in OPPE-led events in the service territory.
What are USDA Service Centers, and which agencies are mentioned?
USDA Service Centers are described as key entry points for producers seeking USDA support. The opportunity specifically mentions collaboration with Service Centers that include the Farm Service Agency (FSA), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Rural Development.
Why does the opportunity emphasize working with local USDA Service Centers?
The description signals that projects should not operate in isolation. Instead, they should be structured to connect underserved and veteran producers to on-the-ground USDA staff and programs in a sustained, practical way, so participants can move from training to actual engagement with USDA services.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is OPPE 017.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.443.
Who can apply (eligible applicants) based on the description?
The eligible applicant pool described includes: public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, other tribal organizations, and nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in the nonprofit category).
Do nonprofits need to have 501(c)(3) status to be eligible?
No. The description states that nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status are eligible, as long as they are not institutions of higher education in the nonprofit category.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling stated in the opportunity description is $750,000.
How many awards did USDA anticipate making under this announcement?
The agency anticipated making about 50 awards under this announcement.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on March 10, 2022.
What was the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date stated is June 8, 2022.
What types of outcomes is this grant trying to achieve?
The opportunity is designed to help underserved, veteran, and beginning producers build viable agricultural businesses, strengthen their ability to own and operate farms and ranches, and successfully connect to and participate in USDA programs and services over time.
What makes a proposal more competitive according to the description?
The description suggests competitive proposals typically deliver culturally competent and practical education or technical assistance, credibly reach the targeted producer groups, and demonstrate real coordination with OPPE and local USDA offices so participants can connect directly to USDA resources and programs.
Does the opportunity focus only on farming, or does it include forestry and related areas?
It includes agriculture and forestry, along with related services. The description mentions training and technical support in production agriculture, agribusiness development, forestry, and other agriculture-related services.
Is this grant intended for organizations working directly with producers?
Yes. The structure described is geared toward organizations that can reach targeted producers and deliver hands-on outreach, education, and assistance, including practical support to help participants engage with USDA programs through coordination with USDA offices and Service Centers.
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