Outreach and Assistance for Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program

The purpose of the OAVFR program, under assistance listing number 10.443, is to assist Veterans in owning and operating farms and ranches and to ensure they are knowledgeable and participating in full range of USDA programs. With OAVFR funding, recipient organizations can provide outreach, technical assistance, and education in agriculture, agribusiness, forestry, and agricultural-related services. The program encourages technical assistance with accessing USDA programs, which includes working with local USDA Service Centers (Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Development). Applicants for the OAVFR program must meet all the requirements discussed in this NOFO. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s About Grants provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.Applications for the Outreach and Technical Assistance program area may only be submitted by:1.Any community-based organization, network, or coalition of community-based organizations that- a.has demonstrated experience in providing agricultural education or other agriculturally related services to Veteran farmers and ranchers; b.has provided to the Secretary documentary evidence of work with, and on behalf of Veteran farmers and ranchers during the 3-year period preceding the submission of a proposal for assistance under this program; andc.does not engage in activities prohibited under section 501(c)(3) of title 26. 2.An 1890 institution or 1994 institution (as defined in section 7601 of this title)3.An Indian Tribal community college or an Alaska Native cooperative college.4.A Hispanic-Serving Institution (as defined in section 3103 of this title).5.Any other institution of higher education (as defined in section 1001 of title 20) that has demonstrated experience in providing agriculture education or other agriculturally related services to Veteran farmer and rancher populations in a region. 6.An Indian tribe (as defined in section 5304 of title 25) or a national tribal organization that has demonstrated experience in providing agriculture education or other agriculturally related services to Veteran farmers and ranchers in a region.7.An organization or institution that received funding under this program before January 1, 1996, but only with respect to projects that the Secretary considers similar to projects previously carried out by the entity under this program. Current OAVFR award recipients must complete their projects by the end of the current calendar year to be eligible to apply. Applications for the Policy Research Center may only be submitted by 1890 Land-grant Universities.All award recipients may provide subawards to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project. NIFA will review and provide final approval of all proposed subawards. The following applies to primary recipient with subawards: 1.The primary recipient must use at least 50 percent of the total funds awarded for the Outreach and Assistance program priority only. 2.The primary recipient is responsible for ensuring that all subawards comply with 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart D - Subrecipient Monitoring and Management.USDA will not accept applications for grants and cooperative agreements submitted for dangerous gain-of-function research, as defined in Section 8 of E.O. 14292.Duplicate or Multiple Submissions – Only one application will be accepted from each organization or institution. NIFA will accept the most recent application if an applicant submits duplicate or multiple submissions. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process. Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 8a.m. – 5p.m. CT, except federal holidays