§ 2500.102 Purpose.

(a) The purpose of the OASDFR Program is to make competitive awards to provide outreach and technical assistance to encourage and assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in:

(1) Owning and operating farms, ranches and non-industrial forest lands; and

(2) In participating equitably in the full range of agricultural programs offered by the Department.

(b) The OASDFR Program awards shall be used exclusively to:

(1) Enhance coordination of the outreach, technical assistance, and education efforts authorized under agriculture programs;

(2) Assist in reaching current and prospective socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers or forest landowners in a linguistically appropriate manner; and

(3) Improve the participation of those farmers and ranchers in agricultural programs.