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Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (OASDFR

Program Basics

The Outreach and Technical Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers program, also known as the "Section 2501" program after its farm bill section number, provides grants to Land Grant Institutions (1862, 1890, or 1994), Native American Tribal Governments and organizations, Latino-Serving Institutions, State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education, and community-based organizations and non-profits that work with minority farmers and assist them in owning and operating farms and participating in agricultural and USDA-specific programs.

The purpose of the OASDFR program is to assure that socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers have opportunities to successfully acquire, own, operate, and retain farms and ranches and equitably participate in all USDA programs.

The OASDFR program supports a range of outreach and assistance activities, including:

• Farm management
• Financial management
• Marketing
• Application and bidding procedures
• Workshops
• Trainings
• Seminars/Symposiums

The project objectives are:

• To increase the number of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers participating in USDA programs
• To empower socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to acquire, maintain, and retain farm ownership
• To enhance the ability of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to implement profitable alternative and environmentally sound production practices
• To improve the knowledge and skills of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers on food safety and value –added product development
• To improve incomes and profitability of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through utilization of innovative and cost-efficient marketing strategies

Related Links:

• FSA, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) have developed an information sheet for Indian operators on Indian Trust Lands.
• Montana County FSA newsletters
• Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC)
• Indian Nations Conservation Alliance
• Indian Land Tenure Foundation
• Intertribal Timber Council
• Big Horn County Extension
• Native American Fish and Wildlife Society
• Indian Country Extensions
• Montana State University Extension Service
• Agricultural Marketing Resource Center at Iowa State University