Opportunity Information: Apply for OPPE 013
The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers opportunity (commonly referred to as the "2501 Program") is a USDA grant program designed to expand access to farming and ranching resources for two priority groups: socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and veteran farmers and ranchers. The core purpose is practical and outcomes-focused: help these producers own and operate farms and ranches more successfully, and increase their participation in USDA agricultural programs and services that can support business viability, conservation, credit access, risk management, and long-term growth. The program is structured around outreach, education, and direct assistance activities rather than building or construction projects, and it is explicitly identified as a non-construction grant.
Funding is administered through the Department of Agriculture, specifically within the DM-Office of Advocacy and Outreach, and implemented in partnership with the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). The intent behind that partnership is to ensure funded projects are closely aligned with USDA priorities and that recipients are positioned to connect underserved producers to the right USDA offices, programs, and technical resources. In practice, applicants are expected to propose initiatives that meet people where they are, reduce barriers to entry and participation, and translate complex program requirements into usable guidance for producers who may have historically faced discrimination, lack of access, or limited institutional support.
Eligibility is limited to organizations and entities capable of carrying out community-facing outreach and training work. The notice calls for applications from community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and Tribal entities. Individual applicants are not eligible under this opportunity, which signals that USDA is seeking organizations with the capacity to deliver structured programming, maintain compliance requirements, and reach producers at scale. While the eligibility field is listed as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full notice, the description makes clear the main eligible applicant categories and excludes individuals.
The main activities supported by the grant revolve around outreach initiatives and training. That typically means projects that educate producers about USDA programs, assist with navigating applications and eligibility rules, provide technical assistance connected to farm or ranch operations, and build the skills needed to successfully engage with USDA services. The program is geared toward increasing participation, so strong proposals generally emphasize measurable strategies to connect target communities to USDA offerings, including workshops, one-on-one support, mentorship, partnerships with local USDA service centers, and culturally relevant communications that address language, trust, geography, and administrative barriers.
From a funding standpoint, this opportunity is listed as mandatory and uses a grant funding instrument under the agriculture activity category (CFDA 10.443). The award ceiling is $750,000, and the opportunity anticipated around 60 awards, suggesting a competitive process with room for a range of project sizes and regional or community scopes. The funding opportunity number is OPPE 013. The original posting date was July 17, 2019, with an original closing date of August 15, 2019, which is important for historical reference or for understanding the timeline of that specific solicitation cycle.
Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as a capacity-building and access-expanding program. It funds trusted institutions and community partners to deliver targeted outreach and hands-on assistance so that socially disadvantaged and veteran producers can better start, sustain, and grow agricultural operations, while also making fuller use of USDA programs and services that might otherwise remain out of reach due to information gaps, administrative hurdles, or longstanding inequities.Apply for OPPE 013
- The Department of Agriculture, DM-Office of Advocacy and Outreach in the agriculture 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 Jul 17, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 15, 2019. (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 60 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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2501 Program (USDA) Grant FAQs
What is the 2501 Program grant?
The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers opportunity (commonly called the "2501 Program") is a USDA grant program that funds outreach, education, and direct assistance projects. Its goal is to expand access to farming and ranching resources and help priority producers participate more successfully in USDA agricultural programs and services.
Who is this program intended to benefit?
The program focuses on two priority groups: (1) socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and (2) veteran farmers and ranchers. Funded projects are expected to help these producers start, sustain, and grow farm and ranch operations and connect them to USDA resources.
What is the main purpose of the funding?
The core purpose is practical and outcomes-focused: to help socially disadvantaged and veteran producers own and operate farms and ranches more successfully and to increase their participation in USDA agricultural programs and services that support business viability, conservation, credit access, risk management, and long-term growth.
What kinds of projects does the 2501 Program support?
The grant supports outreach initiatives and training activities. Common examples described in the opportunity include educating producers about USDA programs, helping them navigate applications and eligibility rules, providing technical assistance related to farm or ranch operations, and building the skills needed to engage effectively with USDA services.
Does this grant fund construction or building projects?
No. The opportunity is explicitly identified as a non-construction grant and is structured around outreach, education, and direct assistance rather than building or construction projects.
Who administers this USDA grant?
Funding is administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifically within the DM-Office of Advocacy and Outreach, and implemented in partnership with the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).
Why is OPPE involved in implementing the program?
The stated intent of partnering with OPPE is to keep funded projects aligned with USDA priorities and to position recipients to connect underserved producers to the appropriate USDA offices, programs, and technical resources.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to organizations and entities capable of delivering community-facing outreach and training. The notice calls for applications from community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and Tribal entities.
Are individuals eligible to apply for this opportunity?
No. Individual applicants are not eligible under this opportunity. The program is designed for organizations that can deliver structured programming, meet compliance requirements, and reach producers at scale.
What types of activities are applicants expected to propose?
Applicants are expected to propose initiatives that meet people where they are, reduce barriers to participation, and translate complex USDA program requirements into practical, usable guidance for producers. Approaches mentioned include workshops, one-on-one support, mentorship, partnerships with local USDA service centers, and culturally relevant communications that address barriers such as language, trust, geography, and administrative hurdles.
Is the program focused more on outreach or on direct financial assistance to producers?
Based on the opportunity description, the program is focused on outreach, education, and direct assistance activities (such as training and application/navigation support), rather than providing direct financial payments to producers.
What outcomes does USDA appear to be seeking?
The opportunity emphasizes measurable strategies that increase participation of socially disadvantaged and veteran producers in USDA offerings. In practice, that means projects that can demonstrate how outreach and hands-on support will connect target communities to USDA programs and services.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The opportunity uses a grant funding instrument.
Is this opportunity considered mandatory funding?
Yes. The opportunity is listed as mandatory.
What is the CFDA number and program area?
The listing includes CFDA 10.443 under the agriculture activity category.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $750,000.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated around 60 awards, indicating a competitive process with multiple awards expected across different project sizes or community/regional scopes.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is OPPE 013.
When was this solicitation posted and when did it close?
The original posting date was July 17, 2019, and the original closing date was August 15, 2019. This timeline applies to that specific solicitation cycle.
What is the overall focus of the 2501 Program in plain terms?
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a capacity-building and access-expanding grant. It funds trusted institutions and community partners to deliver targeted outreach and hands-on assistance so that socially disadvantaged and veteran producers can better start, sustain, and grow agricultural operations and make fuller use of USDA programs and services that might otherwise remain out of reach.
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