Van Hollen, Lujan Grisham Introduce Bill to Help Veteran, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van
Hollen (D-Md.) and Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.) introduced
legislation to improve access to assistance for certain groups of farmers. The
Assist Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2018
would reauthorize, strengthen, and improve the Outreach to Socially
Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program at the Department of
Agriculture (USDA). The legislation was co-sponsored by Senators Tina Smith
(D-Minn.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), and Martin Heinrich
(D-N.M.) and Representative Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M). The bill is supported by
over 100 groups, from the Rural Coalition to the Sierra Club to the National
Family Farm Coalition. Background on the proposal, along with a full list of
supporting organizations, can
be found here.
“Whether you’re coming off the battlefield or trying to launch a
new career, starting and operating a farm isn’t easy. This legislation will
help veterans and underserved populations get the training and support they
need to succeed,” said Senator Van Hollen. “We want to expand
America’s farming opportunities, and this bill is an important tool to
accomplish that. I’m proud to introduce this legislation with my colleagues,
and we will work to include it in the next Farm Bill.”
“Since 2003, New Mexico has received 25 grants through this
program that have helped underserved communities including veterans to spur
economic growth and create jobs in ranching and farming,” Representative
Lujan Grisham explained. “This program is critical for underserved
populations to gain access to USDA’s credit, commodity, conservation, and other
programs and services, all of which result in a real return for every dollar
invested. For example, USDA recently awarded the Desert Forge Foundation a
$200,000 grant to help provide training and meaningful employment to veterans
on their three successful working farms in Albuquerque.”
For nearly three decades, the Outreach to Socially Disadvantaged
and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program at USDA has been the primary tool to
help our nation’s underserved producers gain access to USDA services. The
program is administered by the Office of Outreach and Advocacy and helps ensure
that veteran, minority population, and immigrant farmers and ranchers have
opportunities to successfully own, operate, and retain farms and ranches, and
to equitably participate in USDA programs. The bill reauthorizes the Outreach
to Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, which
expires this year, through 2023. It also makes several programmatic improvements
to strengthen the operation of the program.
“When I left the Navy and considered my next career, I never
imagined that I could go from small backyard garden to being a full-time
farmer,” said David Paulk, a veteran and farmer from St. Mary’s County,
Maryland. “But I was able to combine my skills from my military
service – including the ability to research, organize, manage and complete
complex tasks, needed in developing a farm business plan and marketing
strategies – with the experience of working on a local farm. That allowed me to
open my own 80-acre farm in St. Mary’s County. Senator Van Hollen’s legislation
will help put more veterans – and other underserved individuals – on the path
to operating and owning their own farms. I appreciate Senator Van
Hollen’s efforts on this issue, and I hope my fellow veterans will be able to
take advantage of this program.”
“Each year, for the last five years, UMES reaches an average of
120 farmers in Maryland and along the Delmarva Peninsula,” said Berran
Rogers, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore’s Small Farm Program coordinator.
“As a result, socially disadvantaged farmers are in a better position to make
improved farm business decisions, gain access to agricultural resources and
ultimately realize their dream of owning and operating a farm
successfully. Such an impact would not have been possible without the
Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and
Ranchers (OASDVFR) program.
“We need to fight for all farmers—and that includes making sure
we’re advocating for Minnesotans and Americans who may face unique barriers to
successfully owning and operating farms,” said Senator Smith. “As
a member of the Senate Ag Committee, I’m proud to support this bill because
supporting a diverse and growing farming industry is good for families and good
for our economy.”
“Farmers are the backbone of the economy in Alabama and across our
country,” said Senator Jones. “The Outreach to Socially Disadvantaged
and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program has provided opportunities for
underserved members in the agriculture community for decades. I am proud to
join legislation that extends and builds on this important resource for
veteran and minority farmers and ranchers.”
"From cattle ranchers to chile growers,
New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers help feed the nation and the world
while growing our state’s economy,” said Senator Udall. “But with our
farming workforce rapidly aging, it’s critical that we find smart ways to
empower a new and diverse generation of farmers and ranchers. On the
Agriculture Appropriations Committee, I'll keep fighting for resources for
common-sense programs to lift barriers and help open doors for hopeful new
farmers – particularly veterans and those from underserved communities -across
our state, from Rio Arriba to Doña Ana county."
"Ensuring a diverse generation of farmers and ranchers have
access to assistance programs is important to continuing New Mexico's long
tradition in agriculture," said Senator Heinrich. "By improving
access to the Outreach to Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and
Ranchers Program at USDA we can support New Mexico farmers and ranchers, create
jobs and strengthen our state's economy.”
"The Outreach to Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers
and Ranchers Program helps underserved communities gain access to USDA's
credit, commodity, and conservation programs," said Representative
Luján. "This legislation restores funding to the program and makes key
improvements to increase the effectiveness of this program to support New
Mexico's veteran and minority farmers and ranchers."
"OASDVFR is a critical program that has helped community
based groups and 1890 Universities, such as University of Maryland Eastern
Shore, reach out to African American and other small farmers and ranchers and
effectively connect them with what USDA has to offer. There is no
substitute for this hands-on assistance to help Maryland families hold onto
historic black owned land and build new markets for their products,” said Quinton
Robinson, a Maryland farmer and Interim Policy Advisor National Family Farm
Coalition.
“For nearly 3 decades, the Outreach and Assistance to Socially
Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (OASDVFR) Program has been
USDA’s primary tool to assure our nation’s historically underserved producers
secure real access to USDA program that help farmers and ranchers care for
their land and water, and build viable and sustainable farming operations. The
Rural Coalition and our members have supported the program since its inception
and we are deeply grateful to Senator Van Hollen and Senator Smith, and Rep.
Lujan Grisham for taking leadership to extend and improve this critical
program,” said Lorette Picciano, Executive Director of the Rural Coalition.
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