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Hello, friends and partners in faith,

My name is Steve Messeh, Director of the USDA Center for Faith, and I’m excited to welcome you to our August newsletter.

As students return to school this season, we are reminded that every new beginning is a gift—and an invitation.

In classrooms and on playgrounds across America, young hearts are opening to the art of the possible. At the Center for Faith, we believe God has placed purpose in every child, every family, and every community. Our calling is to help them discover it.

Through partnerships with houses of worship, faith-based organizations, and people of goodwill, we work to ensure that opportunity reaches those who need it most—especially in rural and underserved places. Whether it’s connecting families to nourishing food, supporting young people as they grow in character and confidence, or walking alongside communities with dignity and hope, we do this work as an act of service and love.

This school year, may we all lean into the quiet strength that faith provides. May we mentor with patience, serve with generosity, and believe with conviction that every student carries the potential to bless the world. In the small acts of encouragement, the shared meals, the open doors, and the steady presence of caring adults, we help plant seeds that will bear fruit for generations.



The future is being shaped right now in classrooms and in the hearts of our young people. Let’s meet them with open hands, listening ears, and unwavering hope.

From all of us at the USDA Center for Faith—may this year be filled with growth, grace, and purpose.

Welcome back.



Steve Messeh, Director

USDA Center for Faith

To get the latest news, please sign up for the USDA Faith Center newsletter

Greetings Faith leaders,

The promise of regenerative agriculture lies in its potential to address some of the most pressing environmental, economic, and social challenges facing our planet and communities today. This promise is rooted in tangible, measurable outcomes, and is deeply connected to faith in God and his creation.

Faith in regenerative agriculture goes beyond scientific data and economic projections. It represents a fundamental shift in mindset and a belief system about our relationship with nature and food production.

There is a profound belief that natural systems, particularly soil, have an inherent capacity to regenerate and heal if given the right conditions and allowed to function without excessive human interference. It's a move from fighting nature to working with it.

It's a faith in the interconnectedness of all things – soil, plants, animals, water, the environment, and human well-being. This leads to a holistic management approach where decisions consider the entire ecosystem, not just individual components.

There's a deep commitment to long-term stewardship over short-term gains. This involves making choices today that will benefit future generations and the health of the planet, even if it means a slower path to profit.

This faith extends to respecting the microbial life in the soil, the natural behaviors of animals, and the ecological processes that underpin healthy food systems.

It embodies a moral and ethical responsibility to care for the land, produce nourishing food, and build resilient communities, recognizing our role as custodians of the earth and God's creation.

The promise of regenerative agriculture offers a pathway to a more sustainable and resilient future, while the faith provides the guiding principles and deep conviction needed to pursue this transformative vision.

Please read more below about our recent visit to Ozark, Alabama, focused on regenerative agriculture.

Blessings,

Dr. Alveda King, Senior Advisor on Faith and Community Outreach

USDA Center for Faith

To get the latest news, please sign up for the USDA Faith Center newsletter

USDA Announces $7.5 Million in Grant Funding to Expand Cold Chain Capacity and Increase Access to Real Food

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced $7.5 million in grant funding available through the Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance Program (CCG). The Program will fund projects to support cold chain equipment investments that help food assistance entities temporarily store, effectively package, and distribute fresh, frozen, and minimally processed foods.

Funded non-profit organizations will administer a subaward program to support cold storage within the middle of the supply chain. The selected grant recipient(s) will be responsible for managing and overseeing a competitive subaward program, including providing consultation and subject matter expertise to sub-awardees in support of cold storage in consumer-facing food assistance operations.



For more information about grant eligibility, visit the Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance program website or contact the CCG team at AMS.CCG@usda.gov.

USDA Launches USDA Initiative to Recruit Veterans, Transitioning Service Members, and Military Spouses

USDA announced a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiative to recruit veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses into mission-critical careers that protect America’s food supply, strengthen rural communities, and defend the nation’s agricultural security.

The initiative combines two major efforts to expand opportunities for military-affiliated talent at USDA: an expanded partnership with the U.S. Department of War’s (DoW) SkillBridge Program and the launch of USDA’s 100 Hires in 100 Days initiative, a department-wide effort to accelerate the hiring of veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses across the Department.

Every year, approximately 200,000 members of the U.S. Armed Forces transition from active-duty service into civilian careers. Their leadership, operational experience, and commitment to mission make them uniquely qualified to help USDA address evolving threats, strengthen agricultural resilience, and advance the Department’s mission of serving farmers, ranchers, foresters, and rural communities.

USDA Asks Partners to Develop AI Solutions to Accelerate Crop Innovation

USDA is taking steps to speed up progress in plant science by calling on universities and stakeholders to help build new AI tools that can translate the huge amount of germplasm data the agency collects.

Through the Genesis Mission and the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA), USDA is expected to launch an Agricultural National Science & Technology Challenge later this year. The Challenge will ask innovators to create practical solutions that pull together different types of information—like images, field data, and lab results—so scientists can quickly spot important plant and seed traits and develop crops that are more resilient and productive.

USDA National Back to School Month: Empowering Healthy Minds and Strong Communities

Tuesday, August 25, 2:00-3:00 p.m. Eastern

Please join us for a webinar hosted by the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement highlighting key updates and initiatives focused on brain health, and the wellness of families, youth, and communities across the country. Remarks include a presentation from Dr. Daniel Amen of Amen Health Clinics, presentations on USDA Youth Programs, remarks from the Department of Education’s Center for Faith, and a guest presentation from Never Surrender USA. Additional information will also be shared regarding the recently announced $7.5 Million in Grant Funding to Expand Cold Chain Capacity and Increase Access to Real Food.

Agenda

Leadership Remarks

Steve Messeh, Director, USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, Director, Center for Faith

Dr. Alveda King, Senior Advisor on Faith and Community Outreach, Center for Faith, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Dr. Daniel Amen, Founder, Amen Clinics

Lindsey Abentroth, Agricultural Youth Programs Coordinator, USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement

Hannah Ruth Earl, Director, Center for Faith, U.S. Department of Education

Lexi Schloessman, Chief Operating Officer, Never Surrender USA

Tricia Kovacs, Deputy Administrator, Transportation and Marketing, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service

Julianna Arnett, Branch Chief - Farm to School, USDA Food and Nutrition Administration

National Faith Advisory Board Policy Webinar

The National Faith Advisory Board is pleased to announce that Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, will join our upcoming Policy Webinar on Friday, August 21, at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT.

As students, parents, teachers, and school leaders prepare for a new school year, this timely Back to School conversation will focus on the unprecedented achievements for religious liberty and what that means for you.

Also joining the webinar is Texas Lt. Gov. Patrick, who chaired the Religious Liberty Commission and presented the final draft report and recommendations to President Trump. Lt. Gov. Patrick will share important insight from the Commission’s work and discuss what these findings could mean for people of faith, families, and schools across America.

Faith and Farms Convening in Ozark, Alabama

The USDA Center for Faith hosted a Faith and Farms Convening in Ozark, Alabama. Dozens of partners and farmer serving organizations joined to provide information to area farmers and ranchers, as well as faith-based organizations feeding the community. Participants visited a local area regenerative farm in Dothan, Alabama to learn more about regenerative practices and their positive benefits, and attended a farmer training program in Ozark. Thank you to JBW Farms and Joyful Farms for hosting our attendees.

Mississippi Agriculture Delegation Visits USDA

The USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement hosted a delegation led by Andy Gipson, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce for the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. It was great to meet with farmers, ranchers, foresters, and agribusiness from the State of Mississippi to listen to challenges and needs.

4-H: Beyond Ready

4-H is America’s largest youth development organization—empowering nearly six million young people with the skills to go beyond the expected.

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Division of Youth and 4-H is home to the 4-H National Headquarters. 4-H programs in science, healthy living and civic engagement are backed by a network of 100 public universities and a robust community of 4‑H volunteers and professionals. Through hands-on learning, youth build not only confidence, creativity and curiosity, but also life skills such as leadership and resiliency to help them thrive today and tomorrow.

Find more resources to be Beyond Ready.

FFA Grant and Scholarship Opportunities

Through a variety of grants and scholarships, the National Future Farmers of America Organization provides financial assistance to individual members, FFA chapters and advisors. These funds are intended to remove financial barriers to participation in FFA activities. Learn more about these funding opportunities here. 

Greetings Partners,

Thank you for reading the USDA Center or Faith's newsletter. As we enter the season where students head back to school, it is essential that we focus on providing healthy, nutrient dense, fruits and vegetables to support their learning journeys and ensure success.

One USDA program that provides this much needed support is the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program housed at the Food and Nutrition Administration. This program provides funding to increase to institutionalize farm to school activities, sourcing local foods from area farmers, and educating students on the positive benefits of healthy eating. Earlier this year, USDA announced nearly $20 million in FY26 funds to 52 projects around the country. Stay tuned for information on future funding opportunities. 

This program is an untapped opportunity for faith-based and private school systems. For additional information please visit the program website, and visit the Center for Faith's website past events page to view a recording of a Farm to School for Faith-Based partners webinar.

We look forward to seeing you at OPPE's monthly webinar (mentioned above) that will focus on this important topic.

Thank you for your partnership,



Alex Cordova

Deputy Director, USDA Center for Faith

USDA Center for Faith

To get the latest news, please sign up for the USDA Faith Center newsletter

The USDA Center for Faith collects and shares information about available grants from USDA and federal partners. These are selected based on relevance to our faith partners, but are not all inclusive of our offerings. Please visit grants.gov for a comprehensive listing.

Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance Program

USDA announced $7.5 million in grant funding available through the Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance Program (CCG). The Program will fund projects to support cold chain equipment investments that help food assistance entities temporarily store, effectively package, and distribute fresh, frozen, and minimally processed foods.

Funded non-profit organizations will administer a subaward program to support cold storage within the middle of the supply chain. The selected grant recipient(s) will be responsible for managing and overseeing a competitive subaward program, including providing consultation and subject matter expertise to sub-awardees in support of cold storage in consumer-facing food assistance operations.

CCG recipients will issue subawards to fund cold chain equipment purchases, with the amount awarded being equal to the cost of the equipment and documented delivery, installation and necessary ancillary equipment/supplies, up to $200,000. Sub-awardees will be required to provide a 10% cash cost share contribution.

Application Information

CCG applications must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on October 1st, 2026.

For more information about grant eligibility, visit the Cold Chain Grants for Emergency Food Assistance program website or contact the CCG team at AMS.CCG@usda.gov.

Continuum of Care (CoC) - Department of Housing and Urban Development

The Continuum of Care Program is designed to promote communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness by providing funding for efforts by nonprofit providers and state and local governments and promoting access to and effect utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families. Application deadline: 8/26/2026

Community Facilities Direct Loan Program and Guaranteed Loan Program

Community Facilities Direct Loan Program

USDA Rural Development provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. Projects include fire and rescue stations, town halls, health care clinics and hospitals.

Application deadline: Open Year Round

Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program

USDA Rural Development provides loan guarantees to eligible lenders to develop essential community facilities (CF) in rural areas. Examples of community facilities include health care facilities, buildings like town halls, and public safety facilities such as fire departments.

Application deadline: Open Year Round

Rapid Response to Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems - A1712

USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture seeks applications that focus on critical and urgent solutions in rapid response to weather and disaster impacts on the Nation’s food and agricultural systems and that clearly describe short-term deliverables (within 3 months of award receipt), including a plan for their adoption/use. Application window: Within 45 days of weather event or disaster

On-Farm Labor Housing Loans

USDA Rural Development provides low-interest loans to borrowers to develop or rehabilitate rental housing for very-low- to moderate-income farm laborers. Application window: Open until funds are depleted.

Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve, or remove health and safety hazards to their homes. Application window: Open

Environmental Quality Incentives Program

High Tunnel Initiative

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is the flagship conservation program of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands. EQIP provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address natural resource concerns, such as improved water and air quality, increased soil health, drought mitigation and much more.

This particular EQIP initiative encourages producers to use High Tunnel Systems (aka “hoop houses”) to extend their growing season and protect plants from severe weather. Learn more and find your local service center at the link below.

This collection of thrifty favorites can help celebrate the season by using fresh, whole foods without breaking the bank.

Mushroom Beef Sloppy Joes

Chopped mushrooms, when sautéed, blend seamlessly with ground meats. Swapping or adding mushrooms to a recipe can add an extra serving of vegetables to the plate.

Please visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Administration's website for additional recipes to support healthy families.

Apple Spinach Salad

Sauteed Cauliflower Rice

Asparagus with Lemon Sauce