The USDA has announced an additional investment of over $14 million to support historically underserved communities by providing agricultural workforce training to these areas. This action intends to improve the resilience of the U.S. meat and poultry processing industries.
Funds will be made available for eligible universities, including qualified Centers of Excellence at 1890 Land-grant Universities, 1994 Land-grant Tribal Colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian institutions, and participants in the Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas.
“These investments provide critical support to our higher education partners to increase rural prosperity and economic sustainability of food systems in underserved agricultural communities,” said Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, undersecretary for research, education, and economics, and USDA’s chief scientist, in a statement. “Food insecurity and food system interruptions have hit underserved communities hardest during the ongoing pandemic. By investing in education and workforce development at these institutions, we are training the workforce of the future to develop long-lasting solutions to these and other critical agricultural issues facing our nation.”
The USDA’s action is part of a continued effort by the Biden-Harris Administration to strengthen the domestic food supply chain and promote fair and competitive agricultural markets through the American Rescue Plan.
Related: USDA Seeks to Expand Retailers Who Accept SNAP Online; Meijer Invests in Wind Energy