Underserved and Veteran Farmers, Ranchers, and Foresters: 6th Annual 2501 Partnership Symposium
The 1990 Farm Bill created the 2501 Program to help underserved farmers, ranchers, and foresters, who have historically experienced limited access to USDA programs and services. The 2014 Farm Bill expanded the 2501 Program to include veterans. The 2501 Program is officially called Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program.
The next 2501 Program Partners Symposium, to be organized by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), will take place on September 27-28, 2023. The agenda will be posted shortly.
Video recordings of the 2022 2501 Program Symposium are featured below.
Click to view day one: 2501 Symposium Day One – September 21, 2022
Click to view day two: 2501 Symposium Day Two – September 22, 2022
Ecological Weed Management at Terra Preta Farm
Understanding the biology of weeds is key to managing these troublesome pests using ecological principles. Cultural practices such as crop rotations and cover crops paired with smart cultivation have helped many farmers successfully manage weeds while reducing or eliminating herbicide use.
In three new videos from SARE, Shakera and Juan Raygoza share their experience controlling weeds on their organic radish farm in Edinburg, Texas. Ecological Weed Management at Terra Preta Farm, Basket Weeders at Terra Preta Farm and Hand Tools in the Market Garden at Terra Preta Farm describe how the couple successfully managed weeds without herbicides as they transitioned from a small vegetable farm to a wholesale production system.
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Section 22007
Financial Assistance for Farmers, Ranchers, and Forest Landowners who have experienced discrimination in USDA Loan Processes
Texas Coalition of Rural Landowners has partnered with Rural Coalition, a Washington D.C. based advocate group to offer technical assistance to Farmers, Ranchers, and Forest Landowners in filing claims under Section 22007. You may have seen advertisements promoting their services in assisting you in filing a claim. Please explore this option which is free of charge before signing on to these services. The Discrimination Financial Assistance Program is a new program, authorized by Section 22007(e) of the Inflation Reduction Act, that is intended to provide financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs. Congress authorized $2.2 billion for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm loan programs prior to January 2021. The application process is open from July 7 through October 31, 2023. Details about the program, including an application and e-filing portal, are available at 22007apply.gov. Applicants can also call the free call center at 1-800-721-0970, or visit one of several dozen brick-and-mortar offices the program has set up around the country. Locations are provided on the program website.
Farm Service Agency Now Accepting Nominations for Farmers and Ranchers to Serve on Local County Committees
WASHINGTON, June 15, 2023 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting nominations for county committee members for elections that will occur later this year. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is unveiling a new GIS tool to make it easier for producers to participate in the nomination and election processes for county committee members, who make important decisions on how federal farm programs are administered locally.
All nomination forms for the 2023 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2023.
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