2501 Grant Program for Underserved Farmers, Ranchers, and Foresters

The 1990 Farm Bill created the 2501 Program to help underserved farmers, ranchers, and foresters, who have historically experienced limited access to USDA programs and services. The 2014 Farm Bill expanded the 2501 Program to include veterans.

The objective of the 2501 Program is to show USDA’s commitment to ensuring that underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers, and foresters can equitably participate in USDA programs. Grants are awarded to community-based, non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and eligible Tribal entities with at least 3 years of experience in working with socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers or veteran farmers and ranchers.?

Projects funded under the 2501 Program include, but are not limited to demonstrations on various farming techniques, and connecting underserved farmers and ranchers to USDA local officials to help communities increase their awareness of USDA’s programs and services.

Because of differences in demographics, culture, economics, language, and other factors, there is no single approach to identifying solutions that can benefit underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers, and foresters. 2501 Program partners are based in local communities and rural areas, where they serve a critical role in maximizing USDA’s outreach efforts, by identifying systemic barriers that need to be removed and working to increase equitable participation in USDA’s programs and services.?

If you are part of a grassroots organization that works with underserved or veteran farmers please take a look at this program and see if it is something that could benefit the community you work with!