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

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

News and Events

OPPE is Hiring

USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement seeks two USDA Liaisons based in Tallahassee, Florida, and Langston, Oklahoma. These GS-13 positions serve as senior consultants to the State Food and Agriculture Council (SFAC) to advise the group on upcoming outreach activity; identify and facilitate outreach efforts for rural and underserved stakeholders, including military veterans, beginning farmers and ranchers, youth, women, faith-based institutions, minority-serving higher education institutions, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and more. They will also be responsible for establishing local economic development hubs and connecting stakeholders to the resources available to them through USDA programs and initiatives. The USDA Liaisons report to the National Outreach Coordinators in their respective regions.

New Community Prosperity Resource Guide

The Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) has created a Community Prosperity Resource Guide listing a range of USDA resources that can help local communities address the complex issues they may face. The guide contains USDA funding opportunities that support capacity building in rural and underserved communities, foster hope and opportunity, wealth creation, and asset building.

Mark your calendars for upcoming, virtual Community Prosperity Summits, hosted by the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). 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. The summits lead to the establishment of Communities of Faith and Opportunity, local collaboratives that develop projects on economic and workforce development, innovation and technology, and quality of life through food and agriculture.

Confirmed dates for virtual Community Prosperity Summits:

·    Arkansas Community Prosperity Summit – July 22, 2020. For more information, contact Belinda D. Bell at [email protected]

·    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 13. For more information, contact Roberto González Jr. at [email protected]

·    Washington State Community Prosperity Summit – August 18, 20. 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]

 To support teachers with more virtual programming, OPPE developed a monthly speaker series to inspire the next generation of agricultural professionals by sharing the stories of current USDA researchers, scientists, foresters, other STEM-related program managers. These interactive sessions give high school and college students from minority-serving institutions and school districts a chance to engage with USDA professionals, learn about their stories, paths, and current USDA projects and initiatives. Register for the next session on July 15, 2020.

New Resource to Combat Drug Addiction

 The Trump Administration has launched the Rural Community Toolbox (ruralcommunitytoolbox.org),  a new resource to combat drug addiction. This online clearinghouse helps rural leaders connect with funding, data, and information to combat drug addiction in rural America.

Funding Awarded to Socially Disadvantaged Policy Research Center

The USDA awarded $1.5 million to Alcorn State University’s Socially Disadvantaged Policy Research Center. Program funds will support policy research to make recommendations to USDA programs that affect socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and to increase their participation in USDA programs and services.

USDA Launches 2020 Feds Feed Families Nationwide Food Drive

 Federal employees are welcome to participate in the Feds Feed Families national food drive. Visit the website to learn about the campaign, different ways to give, and how to record donations on the site.

COVID-19 Response and Resources

Message from the Director

 Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement Director Mike Beatty reminds our stakeholders that OPPE remains open and available to serve during the COVID-19 national emergency. Read more about COVID-19 resources in last month’s letter to stakeholders.

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.

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.

USDA Farmer to Families Food Box Program Reaches 20 million Boxes Distributed

The Farmer to Families Food Box Program has distributed more than 20 million food boxes to support American farmers and families that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 17, 2020 Secretary Perdue announced the program as part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program to help farmers, ranchers and consumers. Watch a highlight video of the program.

OPPE is Connecting Faith-Based and Nonprofit Organizations to the Farmers to Families Food Box Program

 The Secretary recently visited Baptists on a Mission in North Carolina to see how the Farmers to Families Food Box Program is helping those in need. OPPE has helped connect this USDA program with faith-based organizations that conduct social service activities. 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 at the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website.

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

 Rural Development Community Facilities and Distance Learning Resources

Rural Development (RD) provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas.

Apply by July 13, 2020.

Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) Competitive Grants Program

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requests applications for the Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) Competitive Grants Program. UAIP grants fund urban agriculture and innovative production activities that increase access to fresh food in urban and suburban areas in the United States. Apply by July 6, 2020.

America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI)

Reinvestment Fund, in its capacity as National Fund Manager for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative at USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service, requests applications for America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative. The purpose of the program is to improve access to healthy foods in underserved areas, to create and preserve quality jobs, and to revitalize low-income communities. Apply by July 10, 2020

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.

Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities

The U.S. Department of Labor is financing projects to help rural communities align workforce development efforts with economic development plans. This program serves the Appalachian region and the Lower Mississippi Delta region. Learn more. Apply by July 29, 2020.

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.