Opportunity Information: Apply for OAO 00005
Apply for OAO 00005
- The DM Office of Advocacy and Outreach in the agriculture education employment, labor and training energy natural resources regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.443 Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 2, 2011 and posted on Nov 17, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 21, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $19,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $800,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 70 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Grant Program (OASDFR) is a discretionary federal funding opportunity designed to expand outreach and hands-on technical assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Administered by the USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach (listed as the DM Office of Advocacy and Outreach), the program is meant to help eligible organizations deliver practical, culturally and linguistically appropriate support that strengthens the ability of socially disadvantaged producers to own and operate farms, ranches, and non-industrial forest lands. A central purpose is to increase awareness of, access to, and participation in USDA agricultural programs by producers who have historically faced barriers to entry, resources, and services.
This specific funding notice (Funding Opportunity Number OAO 00005; CFDA 10.443, Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers) invited applications for both new awards and supplemental funding requests for already-funded projects. In other words, the competition was structured to support fresh, stand-alone project proposals as well as expansions or additions to existing OASDFR-funded work, allowing organizations with proven initiatives to scale or deepen their impact while also leaving space for new entrants and new service models.
Eligible applicants included a range of mission-driven and public-serving entities that commonly operate as trusted intermediaries in rural and underserved communities. Specifically, the opportunity was open to community-based and nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The program description emphasizes that these entities are expected to provide outreach and technical assistance, which typically implies activities such as helping producers understand eligibility and application processes for USDA programs, supporting business and farm management planning, connecting producers to conservation or lending programs, providing education and training, and assisting with navigating documentation and compliance requirements. The repeated emphasis on linguistically appropriate assistance signals that applicants were expected to reach producers in ways that match the language needs and communication realities of the communities served, not simply provide generic materials.
From a funding structure standpoint, awards were offered as grants and cooperative agreements, indicating that some projects could involve closer USDA involvement or collaboration depending on the instrument used. The notice stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement, reducing a common barrier that can limit participation by smaller organizations. Total estimated funding available under the notice was $19,000,000, with an anticipated 70 awards. The maximum award amount (ceiling) was $800,000, and the minimum award amount (floor) was listed as $0, which generally signals that the agency did not prescribe a strict minimum request size and could consider a range of budgets based on project scope.
The announcement timeline shows it was posted on November 17, 2011, with a closing deadline of December 21, 2011, and it was later archived on January 20, 2012. The relatively short application window suggests applicants needed to be ready with clear project plans, partnerships, and implementation capacity. For applicants or interested parties who could not access the full announcement electronically, the notice provided a contact line through the Office of Advocacy and Outreach for OASDFR questions at 202-720-6350, which would have been the point of contact for competition details and technical issues.
Overall, this opportunity was built to fund organizations that can credibly reach socially disadvantaged producers, deliver practical technical assistance, and help them successfully engage with USDA programs and services. The core outcomes USDA was aiming for were increased participation in USDA agricultural programs and strengthened producer capacity to acquire, manage, and sustain farming, ranching, or non-industrial forest operations through targeted outreach that reflects the language and lived context of the communities served.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Grant Program (OASDFR)?
OASDFR is a discretionary federal funding opportunity intended to expand outreach and hands-on technical assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The program supports efforts that strengthen the ability of socially disadvantaged producers to own and operate farms, ranches, and non-industrial forest lands, with a strong focus on improving awareness of, access to, and participation in USDA agricultural programs.
2) Which USDA office administers this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach (listed as the DM Office of Advocacy and Outreach).
3) What is the main purpose of this funding notice?
The central purpose is to fund eligible organizations that can deliver practical, culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged producers, helping them better access and participate in USDA agricultural programs and services.
4) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number for this notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number is OAO 00005. The CFDA number listed is 10.443 (Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers).
5) Did this competition accept applications for new projects, existing projects, or both?
Both. The notice invited applications for new awards as well as supplemental funding requests for already-funded projects. That means applicants could propose a new, stand-alone project or request additional funding to expand an existing OASDFR-funded effort.
6) Who was eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants included:
- Community-based organizations and nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status)
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
7) What kinds of activities were expected under this program?
The description emphasizes outreach and technical assistance. Examples implied by the notice include helping producers understand eligibility and application processes for USDA programs, providing education and training, supporting business and farm management planning, connecting producers to conservation or lending programs, and assisting with documentation and compliance navigation.
8) What does "hands-on technical assistance" mean in the context of this notice?
Based on the description, it refers to practical support that helps producers take real steps to participate in USDA programs and operate their agricultural or non-industrial forest operations more effectively. The notice frames this as more than general outreach materials; it suggests direct assistance with processes, planning, and program participation.
9) What does the notice mean by "culturally and linguistically appropriate" support?
The program repeatedly emphasizes linguistically appropriate assistance, signaling that support should match the language needs and communication realities of the communities served. In other words, outreach and assistance are expected to be delivered in ways that make sense for the intended producers, rather than relying only on generic materials.
10) What types of award instruments were used?
Awards were offered as grants and cooperative agreements. The use of cooperative agreements indicates some projects could involve closer USDA involvement or collaboration, depending on the instrument used.
11) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The notice stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.
12) How much total funding was estimated to be available under this notice?
The total estimated funding available was $19,000,000.
13) How many awards were anticipated?
The notice anticipated approximately 70 awards.
14) What was the maximum award amount?
The maximum (ceiling) award amount was $800,000.
15) Was there a minimum award amount?
The minimum (floor) award amount was listed as $0, which generally indicates the agency did not prescribe a strict minimum request size and could consider a range of budgets based on scope.
16) When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The notice was posted on November 17, 2011, and the closing deadline was December 21, 2011.
17) When was this funding notice archived?
The notice was archived on January 20, 2012.
18) What does the timeline suggest about the application window?
The timeline reflects a relatively short application window (from November 17, 2011 to December 21, 2011), suggesting applicants needed to be prepared with clear project plans, partnerships, and the capacity to implement quickly.
19) Who should applicants contact if they could not access the full announcement electronically or had questions?
The notice provided a contact line through the Office of Advocacy and Outreach for OASDFR questions: 202-720-6350.
20) What outcomes was USDA aiming to achieve through this program?
The opportunity was designed to increase participation in USDA agricultural programs by producers who have historically faced barriers to entry, resources, and services, and to strengthen producer capacity to acquire, manage, and sustain farming, ranching, or non-industrial forest operations through targeted outreach and technical assistance.
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