Outreach and Assistance for Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (10.443)
Outreach and Assistance for Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (Assistance Listing 10.443) is run by the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, part of the Department of Agriculture. It awarded $127 million in 190 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $666,378 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $741,752. Half of the 190 awards fell between $637,800 and $749,999, and they ranged from $141,083 to $1.5 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$127 million
- Grant awards190
- Typical award$741,752
- Awarded in FY 2025$22.0 million
- Size rank736 of 1824
- Type of assistanceProject grants
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $2.1 million in fiscal 2021 to $22.0 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 736th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 18% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 47 states and territories.
What the program funds
The overall goal of the 2501 Program is to encourage and assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers with owning and operating farms and ranches and in participating equitably in the full range of agricultural, forestry, and related programs offered by USDA. In partnership with the OPPE, eligible entities may compete for funding on projects that provide education and training in agriculture, agribusiness, forestry, agriculturally related services, and USDA programs, and to conduct outreach initiatives designed to accomplish those goals. This partnership includes working closely with OPPE, attend OPPE-led events in your proposed service territory, and collaborate with USDA Service Centers located in your state (Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Development).
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
Any community-based organization, network, or coalition of community-based organizations with documented evidence of working with and on behalf of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers during the 3-year period preceding this application cycle and does not or has not engaged in activities prohibited under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; an 1890 or 1994 institution of higher education (as defined in 7 U.S.C. § 7601); a Hispanic-Serving Institution of higher education (as defined in 7 U.S.C. § 3103); American Indian tribal community colleges and universities and Alaska Native cooperatives colleges; other institutions of higher education with documented experience in providing agricultural education or services to socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers; Indian tribes or national tribal organizations with documented experience in providing agricultural education or services to socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers; organizations or institutions that received funding under 7 U.S.C. § 2279(a) with respect to projects that the Secretary considers similar to projects previously carried out by the organization or institution under this subsection.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Conferences, workshops and demonstrations on various farming techniques and other efforts to connect underserved farmers and ranchers to USDA local officials to help communities increase their awareness of USDA’s programs and services. 2501 organizations extend OPPE’s outreach efforts to connect with and assist socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers. They play a critical role in identifying and addressing the factors and challenges experienced by socially disadvantaged groups while also providing training, education, and technical expertise. These organizations help to ensure socially disadvantaged groups and veterans are able to equitably participate in the full range of USDA programs in an effort to help improve their ability to start and maintain successful agricultural businesses. Funds under this program may not be used for the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building or facility. Program funds may not be used for start-up or financing costs for businesses or for an organization’s capacity building. Program funds may also not be used as small agricultural loans or grants for individual farmers or used to incentivize individuals to attend an event. Finally, large equipment purchases such as vehicles, semi-tractors, or refrigeration systems are unallowable under this program.;
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Deadlines
Please review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for application submission deadlines.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Up to $750,000 per award over a 3-year period. Maximum funding amount each year is $250,000.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2020: Please see our website for examples of projects funded in previous years: https://www.usda.gov/partnerships/socially-disadvantaged-farmers-and-ranchersFiscal Year2021: For projects funded from 2014 through 2022, See "Funded Projects" on USDA OPPE's website: https://www.usda.gov/partnerships/socially-disadvantaged-farmers-and-ranchersFiscal Year2023: A grant was funded to provide veterans with technical assistance and education on vertical farming and other agricultural innovations to promote a more equitable food system by providing fresh, local, and accessible food in their communities.Fiscal Year2024: A grant was funded to provide technical assistance to Native American and Native veteran producers on marketing, food distribution, and value-added product development for local and regional food supply markets. A grant was funded to provide education to veterans and underserved youth about climate-smart and sustainable farming, incubator farms, local food system production, and financial management. A grant was funded to provide support for underserved immigrant and refugee farmers to improve production skills, establish and expand market connections, and help in accessing farmland.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Outreach and Assistance for Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (10.443) awarded$127 million across 190 grant awards, an average of $666,378 per award.
Who usually wins
Nonprofits received 77% of the money, colleges and universities 22% and tribes 0.6%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 144 | $97.7 million | 77% |
| Colleges and universities | 45 | $28.2 million | 22% |
| Tribal governments and organizations | 1 | $750,000 | 0.6% |
By state
32 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 15 | $9.6 million |
| California | 13 | $9.0 million |
| Mississippi | 11 | $7.9 million |
| Georgia | 8 | $5.5 million |
| North Carolina | 8 | $5.3 million |
| Hawaii | 7 | $5.1 million |
| Massachusetts | 7 | $5.0 million |
| New Mexico | 7 | $4.9 million |
| New York | 7 | $4.4 million |
| Arkansas | 6 | $3.9 million |
| Florida | 6 | $3.7 million |
| Minnesota | 6 | $3.5 million |
| District of Columbia | 5 | $3.4 million |
| Washington | 5 | $3.4 million |
| Wisconsin | 5 | $3.2 million |
| Missouri | 6 | $3.0 million |
| Puerto Rico | 4 | $3.0 million |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | $2.7 million |
| Alaska | 4 | $2.7 million |
| Rhode Island | 4 | $2.7 million |
| Alabama | 4 | $2.6 million |
| Ohio | 4 | $2.6 million |
| Oregon | 4 | $2.5 million |
| Oklahoma | 3 | $2.2 million |
| South Carolina | 3 | $2.2 million |
| Virginia | 3 | $2.2 million |
| Maryland | 3 | $2.0 million |
| Colorado | 3 | $2.0 million |
| Illinois | 3 | $1.7 million |
| Nevada | 3 | $1.5 million |
| Kansas | 2 | $1.4 million |
| Iowa | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Guam | 1 | $750,000 |
| West Virginia | 1 | $750,000 |
| Federated States of Micronesia | 1 | $749,761 |
| Michigan | 1 | $749,621 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $748,611 |
| Idaho | 1 | $744,112 |
| Montana | 1 | $741,752 |
| Louisiana | 1 | $737,133 |
| Kentucky | 1 | $702,012 |
| Nebraska | 1 | $697,078 |
| Indiana | 1 | $686,020 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $674,662 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $602,966 |
| Maine | 1 | $599,820 |
| Arizona | 1 | $594,301 |