Programs for Beginning, Limited Resource, Veteran, Socially Disadvantaged, and Tribal and Indigenous Farmers and Ranchers and for Small Farms and Ranches

Historically underserved farmers and ranchers represent a diverse share of all U.S. agricultural producers. This includes socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers (SDFRs), who are producers belonging to a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender discrimination, including tribal and Indigenous agricultural producers. At the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), historically underserved producers also include beginning farmers or ranchers (BFRs), veteran farmers or ranchers (VFRs), and limited resource farmers and ranchers (LRFRs). Although these producer groups are eligible for USDA programs, recent legislation and omnibus farm bills have provided targeted support for these groups. This report provides a list of authorized programs and provisions that reference these selected agricultural producers. It also includes programs and policies administered by USDA that pertain to Indian tribes but are not necessarily about farmers (e.g., rural development, nutrition).