By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter
Four programs in Texas will receive additional funding to support socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers.
Prairie View A&M University, Texas State University, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service were selected to receive part of $9.4 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide enhanced training, outreach and technical assistance to underserved farmers and veterans in agriculture.
“From the beginning of this administration, USDA has focused on increasing rural prosperity and how to best serve our veterans and underserved farmers and ranchers,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said. “Helping those who served our country and assisting the disadvantaged is at the heart of our motto at USDA to ‘Do right and feed everyone.’”
Prairie View A&M was awarded $200,000 to increase the number of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers, families and communities participating in USDA programs in 20 targeted counties.
Just under $200,000 will go to AgriLife Extension and Research to educate socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and provide learning opportunities to young farmers and veterans through workshops, field days, in situ and online demonstrations and the creation of internship opportunities.
The funding will also be used for training, outreach activities focused on crop production, irrigating and water management, livestock production, marketing and business planning and how to successfully participate in USDA assistance programs.
Bilingual educational materials will also be developed to help farmers and ranchers with their farm management decisions.
Texas State University was allocated $199,996 for its Integrating the Small Producer Research and Extension (InSPIRE).
The program provides workshops to train and introduce socially disadvantaged and small farmers to USDA and Texas Department of Agriculture policies, programs and opportunities, as well as other non-profits like Texas Farm Bureau.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) will receive $199,994 to help veterans and the socially disadvantaged in agriculture own and operate successful farms and ranches by providing trading and technical assistance.
According to USDA, the program at UTRGV will provide assistance on niche markets, specialty crops, direct-marketing techniques, development of marketing cooperatives and planting and growing techniques at demonstration sites.
The funding from USDA is available through its Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, which is often referred to as the 2501 program.
“The 2501 grants ensure veterans and underserved farmers and ranchers are well-positioned to start their careers in agriculture and continue to give back to the American people,” Perdue said. “These resources will help strengthen the American economy and provide assistance for those who need it most.”
Since 2010, the 2501 Program has distributed more than $93 million to 398 partners.