GAINESVILLE, FL, October 12, 2021 — 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.  

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

GAINESVILLE, FL, October 12, 2021 — 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, including the signup re-opening of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2). These proposals will also assist in outreach for FSA’s farm programs, conservation programsfarm loanscounty committee electionsdisaster 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, 5 will directly impact farmers and ranchers in Florida,” said CHristy Marshall, Acting State Executive Director for FSA in Florida. “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 Florida include:

  • National Young Farmers Coalition, Inc. providing support on CFAP2 statewide
  • Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA providing support on CFAP2 statewide
  • Center for Community & Economic Development Inc. providing support on CFAP2 and all FSA programs in North Florida counties
  • Florida National Women in Ag. Association, Inc. providing support on CFAP2 and all FSA programs in Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Broward, Marion, and Osceola counties
  • North South Institute, Inc. providing support on CFAP2, New Farm Enrollment, Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), Receipt for Service (RFS), Microloans, Ownership Loans (OL), and Farm Operating Loans (FO) in thirty-seven (37) counties in seven (7) clusters and their correlating USDA local service centers:

Cluster 1: Miami-Dade, Broward
Cluster 2: Palm Beach, Glades, Hendry, Collier, Hardee, De Soto, Highlands
Cluster 3: St. Lucie, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Brevard, Volusia
Cluster 4: Polk, Sumter, Osceola, Seminole, Orange, Lake
Cluster 5: Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, Pasco
Cluster 6: Marion, Alachua, Gilchrist, Levy
Cluster 7: Jackson, Holmes, Gadsden, Madison, Leon, Jefferson

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.  

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