USDA Invests $4.7 Million to Provide Outreach and Technical Assistance to Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers

Four Organizations Identified to Assist Producers in Montana

BOZEMAN, MT, Oct. 07, 2021 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of $4.7 million to establish partnerships with organizations to provide outreach and technical assistance to historically underserved farmers and ranchers. The partnerships will support participation in Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs, including those that are part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.

Fifty-six project proposals, covering all states and territories, are being finalized to assist historically underserved farmers and ranchers in accessing FSA programs. Programs include outreach for pandemic assistance programs, including the signup re-opening of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2). These proposals will also assist in outreach for FSA’s farm programs, conservation programs, farm loans, county committee elections, disaster programs, the Heirs’ Property Relending Program, heirs’ property succession planning and the Agricultural Marketing Service’s Pandemic Response and Safety Grant program. 

“Of the 56 selected proposals, four will directly impact farmers and ranchers in Montana,” said Les J Rispens, Acting State Executive Director for FSA in Montana. “These partnerships will provide important technical assistance, outreach and education and will equip farmers and ranchers with the resources needed to access and participate in FSA’s programs and services.”

The organizations and projects impacting Montana include:

• Piikani Lodge Health Institute providing support on CFAP2, ECP, OCCS, ELAP, LFP, ARC-PLC on the Blackfeet Nation.
• Intertribal Agriculture Council, Inc. providing support on CFAP2, Farm Enrollment, pandemic relief funding programs, and completing 2047s through their nationwide network.
• Farmer’s Legal Action Group Inc. providing support on CFAP2 nationwide.
• National Young Farmers Coalition, Inc., providing support on CFAP2 nationwide.

Read about all 56 funded projects and organizations on FSA’s cooperative agreements webpage.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.  

#