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Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO)

Through coordination and collaboration, the Office of Advocacy and Outreach works across USDA to enhance access to services for the communities we serve.

  • Improving the viability and profitability of small and beginning farmers and ranchers
  • Improving access to USDA programs for historically underserved communities
  • Improving agricultural opportunities for farm workers
  • Closing the professional achievement gap by providing opportunities to talented and diverse young people to support the agricultural industry in the 21st century

You’re Invited: Secretary Vilsack Hosts Google+ Hangout on StrikeForce Opportunities

Are you a community-based organization, farmer or just someone who lives in Rural America? Do you have questions on how you can partner with USDA to leverage community resources and promote economic development in your community? We have answers!

On March 26, 2013, Secretary Vilsack launched the StrikeForce to Boost Rural Economic Growth and Opportunity Initiative – an extension of a 3 state pilot project, launched in 2010. The StrikeForce Initiative targets rural areas of persistent poverty where USDA staff can work with state, tribal, local and community leaders to increase awareness of programs and services that help to promote economic development and job creation.  StrikeForce is currently operating in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Virginia.

Interested in learning more? On Monday, June 17, at 12:00 pm est. you are invited to join Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack as he sits down to his very first Google+ Hangout to discuss StrikeForce opportunities, success stories and how YOUR community can get involved.

Charlie Williams, USDA StrikeForce Coordinator, AR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZvdFiQjVusI

Secretary Vilsack will participate in this virtual conversation from the USDA studio in Washington, DC but it will be broadcast live on our USDA Google+ page as well as usda.gov/live. He will be accompanied by a panel of StrikeForce experts, recipients and coordinators who will help to answer frequently asked questions from around the country and provide guidance on how to sign up to be a part of the StrikeForce initiative in your community. Submit your questions in advance on Twitter using the hashtag #AskUSDA, or send to your StrikeForce coordinator.

Check with your local USDA Service Center if you're interested in watching the Hangout with community partners. 

We hope you’ll join us on June 17 at 12:00 p.m. EST. Follow USDA on Google+ for updates and future opportunities to engage with USDA. 


How to Bring the Summer Food Service Program to Farmworker Communities Webinar

Summer Food Service Program

Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 2:00PM EST Register Here!

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service and Office of Advocacy and Outreach will host a bilingual (English/Spanish) webinar highlighting the USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in farmworker communities. The webinar will provide information about how the SFSP works to help feed low-income children during the summer, who are eligible, and how you can get involved this year with a particular focus on strategies for success in farmworker communities. The webinar will also cover the many resources available to help you get started, highlight successful programs and outreach practices from around the country, and provide an opportunity to have your questions answered by FNS Program experts in English and Spanish.

To learn more about the Summer Food Service Program, please visit: www.summerfood.usda.gov

Aprenda cómo puede ayudar a alimentar a niños de bajos recursos durante el verano en comunidades agrícolas.

Sea Parte de Nuestro Seminario

El Departamento de Agricultura de EE.UU. (USDA) y la Coordinadora de Trabajadores Agrícolas de la Oficina de Alcance y Defensa estarán auspiciando un seminario virtual bilingüe donde se enfatizará la iniciativa para alimentar a niños que viven en comunidades agrícolas una vez finalice el año escolar. El seminario proveerá información acerca de cómo el Programa de Servicio de Alimentos de Verano (SFSP) ayuda a alimentar a niños de bajos ingresos durante los meses de verano, quienes son elegibles para participar y como usted puede ser parte del programa este año. Durante el seminario también se hablará de los recursos disponibles para comenzar el programa, las mejores prácticas para promoverlo y se resaltarán campañas que han tenido éxito alrededor del país. Por último, la audiencia tendrá la oportunidad de hacer preguntas a  expertos en el programa, las cuales se responderán en inglés y en español.

Fecha:  Jueves 30 de mayo de 2013
Horas:  2:00pm - 3:00pm (Hora Este -EST)
1:00pm - 2:00pm (Hora Central -CST)
12:00pm - 1:00pm (Hora de la montaña -MST)
11:00am - 12:00pm (Hora del Pacífico -PST)

Para más detalles acerca del Programa de Servicio de Alimentos de Verano, por favor visite: http://www.fns.usda.gov/es/sfsp

This calendar lists conferences that OAO staff is participating in or that OAO is providing support to. To view past event click here.

USDA News Select is a selection of items from the main USDA Newsroom that addresses the constituent groups that the Office of Advocacy and Outreach works with - Small and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, Farmworkers, Tribal Land-Grant Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and 1890 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. To view all past USDA News Select items click here.

 


Receive periodic updates about USDA news and programs that relate to OAO stakeholders. To sign up send an e-mail to AdvocacyandOutreach@osec.usda.gov. Include your organization's name, address, weblink, and a 1-2 sentence description of your organization's mission and target audience. We look forward to hearing from you!