News

USDA questioned about Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers Program

A member of the Senate Ag Committee is demanding answers after USDA diverted funds from a program that supports producers of diverse backgrounds.

U.S. Senator Tina Smith tells Brownfield it appears money appropriated for the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program has been redirected for other purposes.

“It seems as if they’re sort of siphoning money off into a new program that we don’t know that much about. It doesn’t feel like it’s in the spirit of what we passed in this broadly bipartisan farm bill, and that’s what we’re wanting to get at in this letter.”

The bicameral letter is signed by 40 of her colleagues.

Smith says they learned in mid-July that instead of using the funding as Congress intended, USDA created a new initiative called the Centers for Community Prosperity Program.

“We don’t know how or if it will support the goals of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers, and that’s what we’re trying to get to the bottom of. What are they planning on? What amount of money are they talking about? Why are they setting up a new program, which doesn’t seem very efficient when this program that we’ve got people are really appreciating.”

The Minnesota Democrat says USDA made the decision without a thorough process for input and consultation from lawmakers, stakeholders, and the communities of color and veterans that they serve.