USDA – OPPE Newsletter

USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) Newsletter

USDA Announces New Members of the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of 15 members to serve on the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers. The newly appointed members serve terms of up to two years through 2022.

A public teleconference meeting with the new members will take place on July 29, 2020 at 12:15-1:15 PM EDT. To listen to the discussion, call 888-251-2949 or 215-861-0694 and use the participant code: 2513486#.

USDA Announces $15 Million in Funding Opportunities to Support Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced approximately $15 million in available funding to help socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers own and operate successful farms. Funding is made through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the 2501 Program). The program is administered by the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). Learn more about the 2501 funding opportunity.

Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Workshop

On August 5 – 6, USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, in collaboration with the Regional Rural Development Centers, invites you to a virtual workshop on Building Community Capacity around Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. This event is designed for community organizers and planners who work on this topic at the state or community level. Register today.

USDA Announces Community Prosperity Funding Opportunity

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced approximately $4 million in available funding to develop partnerships to leverage USDA and local, state, and private sector resources to address challenges for limited resource, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers and ranchers, and communities. The program is administered by the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). Read the full press release.

New Community Prosperity Resource Guide

The Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement has created a Community Prosperity Resource Guide to address complex challenges in underserved communities. The Community Prosperity Resource Guide will serve as a one-stop-shop for local communities who are seeking USDA resources to find solutions to the complex issues they may face. The resource contains funding opportunities identified at USDA that support capacity building in rural America, foster hope and opportunity, wealth creation, and asset building.

Community Prosperity Training Summits

OPPE has added more dates. To establish additional Communities of Faith and Opportunity, the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) hosts Community Prosperity Summits around the country. These training summits and capacity-building workshops bring together a wide range of USDA stakeholders to foster a sustainable development process focusing on locally driven, bottom-up solutions to address challenges in rural and underserved communities.

Confirmed dates for virtual Community Prosperity Summits:

·    Texas Community Prosperity Summit – July 30, 2020. For more information, contact Horace D. Hodge at [email protected]

·    Virginia Community Prosperity Summit – August 7, 2020. For more information, contact Katrina Johnson at [email protected]

·    Arizona Community Prosperity Summit – August 13, September 3. For more information, contact Roberto González Jr. at [email protected]

·    Kentucky Community Prosperity Summit­­ – August 19, 2020. For more information, contact Ed Thompson at [email protected]

·    Delaware Community Prosperity Summit – September 10, 2020. For more information, contact Chandra Owens at [email protected]

·    California Community Prosperity Summit – September 24. For more information, contact Roberto González Jr. at [email protected]

·    Washington State Community Prosperity Summit – September 24. For more information, contact Phillip Eggman at [email protected]

·    New Mexico Community Prosperity Summit – October 20. For more information, contact Terry McDermott at [email protected]

USDA Coronavirus Website

Visit www.usda.gov/coronavirus for up-to-date information on USDA services and resources. This page include frequently asked questions, USDA actions to respond to COVID-19, and additional resources from CDC, FEMA, and other agencies. Learn more about the latest actions from USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Rural Development, and other agencies.

USDA Announces a Third Round of Farmers to Families Food Box Program Purchases

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will launch a third round of Farmers to Families Food Box Program purchases with distributions to occur beginning by September 1 with completion by October 31, 2020. The purchases will spend the balance of $3 billion authorized for the program. So far, over 46 million Farmers to Families Food Boxes have been invoiced and delivered. Read the full announcement.

Nonprofit organizations seeking to receive food through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program can learn more about the program overview and Frequently Asked Questions available at the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website.

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

Are you a farmer or rancher whose operation has been directly affected by the coronavirus pandemic? The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, or CFAP, provides direct relief to producers who faced price declines and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19. USDA is accepting applications now through August 28, 2020. Producers should apply through the Farm Service Agency at their local USDA Service Center.

USDA and Federal Partners Offer COVID-19 Resources for Rural Communities

The COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide is a resource for rural leaders looking for federal funding and partnership opportunities to help address the pandemic.

FNS Response to COVID-19

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is granting states significant program flexibilities and contingencies to best serve program participants across their 15 nutrition programs. Learn more about the actions taken to ease program operations and protect the health of participants.

Grant Opportunities

Business and Industry (B&I) CARES Act Program

USDA is making available up to $1 billion in loan guarantees to help rural businesses meet their working capital needs during the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, agricultural producers that are not eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency loans may receive funding under USDA B&I CARES Act Program provisions included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Apply by September 15, 2021, or until funds are expended.

General Resources

OPPE Website

The new Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement website provides a one-stop shop for the latest education, tools, and resources available through U.S. Department of Agriculture programs and initiatives. Visit our new site at www.usda.gov/partnerships.

Advisory Committees

USDA seeks nominations for its committees throughout the year. The Department is interested in a wide range of professionals including scientists, representatives of interest groups, educators, and business leaders. USDA has a special interest in assuring that women, minority groups, and people with physically disabilities are adequately represented. Learn more.

Federal Register

Find the latest USDA regulations, proposed rules, and notices of interest in the Federal Register, the daily journal of the federal government, published each business day by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Read the latest USDA notices.

Farmers.gov

Farmers.gov is an interactive, one-stop website for farmers, ranchers, private foresters, and agricultural producers. Visitors can get online self-service applications, educational materials and business tools, and find local USDA Service Centers. Visit the site today.

New Farmers.gov

This online resource offers guides to help future farmers create business plans, acquire land and capital, manage risk, and plan finances. A Discovery Tool provides customized advice and resources. Learn more about farming.

Rural Development Innovation Center

The Center works to transform rural communities through strategic partnerships, data analytics, regulations management and enterprise risk management. Get started.

Veterans

USDA offers loans, education and training, grants, and technical assistance programs to help veterans start or grow a business or career in agriculture. Learn more.

Youth

USDA’s Youth and Agriculture website connects young people, educators, and youth-serving organizations with Department-wide resources for the next generation of agricultural leaders. Discover more.

USAJOBS

USAJOBS connects job seekers with federal employment opportunities across the United States and around the world. Features include search tools for students, recent graduates, and veterans.

·    USAJobs search for jobs for recent graduates at USDA.

If you have questions or suggestions for the newsletter, please email us at [email protected]. For more information about specific USDA agencies, sign up on their respective websites.