Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (2501 Program)

Eligible Applicants

Additional Requirements

Per 7 CFR 2500.104, proposals may be submitted by any of the following: (a) Any community-based organization, network, or coalition of community-based organizations that: (1) Has demonstrated experience in providing agricultural education or other agriculturally related services to underserved or military veteran farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners; (2) has provided to the Secretary documentary evidence of work with, and on behalf of underserved or military veteran farmers, ranchers, or forest landowners during the three-year period preceding the submission of a proposal for assistance under this program; and; (3) Does not engage in activities prohibited under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 2. An 1890 institution or 1994 institution (as defined in 7 U.S.C. §7601 and in Section 533 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. §301 note). 3. An American Indian Tribal community college or an Alaska Native cooperative college. 12 4. A Hispanic-Serving Institution of higher education (as defined in 7 U.S.C. §3103). 5. Any other institution of higher education (as defined in 20 U.S.C. §1001) that has demonstrated experience in providing agriculture education or other agriculturally related services to underserved or military veteran farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in a region. 6. Eligible tribal entities as defined in 25 U.S.C. § 5304 or a national tribal organization that has demonstrated experience in providing agriculture education or other agriculturally related service to underserved or military veteran farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in a region. Note: entities under 25 U.S.C. § 5304 are defined as “Indian tribe” or “Indian Tribe” which means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. The term “Indian” means a person who is a member of an Indian tribe. 7. Other organizations or institutions that received funding under this program before January 1, 1996, but only with respect to projects that the Secretary considers similar to projects previously carried out by the entity under this program.

Geographic Eligibility

All