CONGRESSMAN RUBÉN HINOJOSA ANNOUNCES OVER ONE MILLION DOLLARS IN USDA ASSISTANCE FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS & RANCHERS IN DEEP SOUTH TEXAS

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX-15) announced the following entities that help develop more Hispanic and female producers will receive federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA):

Plant It Forward: Refugee beginning farmer initiative: $150,498.

The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA): Disadvantaged Producers Small-Acreage Initiative: $300,000.

Texas Agrilife Extension Service: Alternative Approaches to Sustainable Agriculture Targeting Small Hispanic Operators and College Agriculture Students in the Lower Rio Grande Valley: $299,453 for first year and up to $800,000 total over 3 years.

Texas/Mexico Border Coalition: South Texas Socially Disadvantaged Producers Outreach & Assistance Project: $209,934.

"Deep South Texas is rich in history especially when it comes to farming and ranching and I want to see that rich tradition continue," said U.S. Rep. Hinojosa. "These federal funds will allow new training opportunities for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to ensure that they are aware of the information resources available to them and know how to use them effectively and efficiently."

The awards are being made through the Outreach Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (OASDFR) Competitive Grants Program, known as the "2501 Program".

Congressman Hinojosa added, "Deep South Texas has one of the highest counts of Hispanic farming and ranching families in the nation.  Overall these projects will support education, community development, agriculture diversification and future farm operators in Deep South Texas."