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Hello everyone,

As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, we have an extraordinary opportunity to reflect on the ideals that have defined America for generations—faith, freedom, service, and the belief that together we can build a brighter future for all.

America's story is one of people from every background coming together to solve challenges and create opportunities. We see that spirit alive today when faith and community organizations partner with USDA to ensure families have access to nutritious food, when local leaders help connect farmers to new markets, and when neighbors come together to support communities recovering from natural disasters. These efforts remind us that progress is built one community, one partnership, and one act of service at a time.

At USDA's Center for Faith, we are inspired every day by partners across the country who turn compassion into action and strengthen communities large and small. Their work reflects the very best of America—a nation where people step forward to serve others and work toward a common good.

As we celebrate this historic milestone, let us honor the generations who came before us by continuing to build stronger communities, expand opportunity, and ensure that every person has the chance to thrive.

Thank you for your partnership and for all you do to help fulfill the promise of America.

In partnership,

Steve Messeh, Director

USDA Center for Faith

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

America 250 is a pivotal moment to reflect on our nation's journey since 1776, centering agriculture as a cornerstone of that history. From the earliest colonial settlements, agriculture was not just an economic activity but the very foundation of survival, trade, and expansion. It is the story of the journey from a nation striving for food self-sufficiency to becoming a global leader in food production, contributing significantly to global food security.

The Great American State Fair will spark discussions about the future of agriculture, addressing critical issues such as weather impacts, water scarcity, technological advancements like AI and automation in farming, and ensuring a secure food system for generations to come. It also celebrates the vital connection between agriculture and the health of rural communities, the stewardship of natural resources, and efforts in conservation and land management.

These events not only celebrate the bounty and innovation of American farming over 250 years but also serve as a platform to understand its history, recognize its importance, and inspire solutions for a prosperous agricultural future. We hope to see you at the many upcoming events to celebrate our great nation's semiquincentennial.

Happy Birthday USA!

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 Historic annual Investment in Agricultural Research Infrastructure Across America

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will administer this competitive funding opportunity, and the funding will support renovation, expansion, and construction projects that strengthen research capacity and ensure America's agricultural research enterprise remains equipped to meet the challenges facing America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers. Applicants must provide a dollar-for-dollar non-federal cash match to ensure strong local investment and stewardship of taxpayer resources and eligible entities may receive funds for only one project at a time. 

The deadline for applications is July 17, 2026. For more information, visit the Research Facilities Act Program page on the NIFA website or email ree.nifa.rfap@usda.gov.

USDA Issues Director to Resource Grazing on National Forest Lands and Strengthen Support for America's Ranchers

Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the distribution of a comprehensive directive to all U.S. Forest Service employees from the Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment (NRE). These actions advance implementation of the Advancing Grazing on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lands Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the USDA–Department of the Interior Grazing Action Plan, delivering on the Trump Administration’s commitment to strengthen American ranching, restore multiple-use management on federal lands, and combat regulatory lawfare against producers. 

The letter to Forest Service employees, addressed from Secretary Rollins and referencing the detailed implementation directives from Under Secretary Michael Boren, emphasizes the historic role of grazing on National Forest System lands. 

White House Faith Office June National Conference Call

Monday, June 29, 5:45pm ET

You are invited to join U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the White House Faith Office for our June National Conference Call on Monday, June 29th at 5:45 PM! You won’t want to miss this important national call with your fellow faith community. We will share updates on key issues in America and around the world and pray together. 

You'll also hear the latest policy updates from Senior Advisor Paula White and Faith Director Jennifer Korn, plus remarks from other special guests and senior officials to be announced. 

The Great American State Fair

June 25 - July 10, 2026

A world-class exposition and modern-day World’s Fair celebrating the people, traditions, innovations, and spirit that make America the greatest nation on Earth. Featuring more than 150 exhibits from all 56 states and territories, businesses, innovators, and civic organizations, the Great American State Fair will showcase the very best of America through state pavilions, industry displays, family-friendly attractions, movie screenings, musical performances, military ensembles, spectacular flyovers, daily cultural programming, and an iconic Ferris wheel on the National Mall. 

FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Zone on the National Mall

June 11 - July 16, 2026

A celebration of competition, community, and the American spirit on the National Mall. As the world’s greatest soccer tournament comes to the United States, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Fan Zone Experience will serve as a gathering place for families, fans, and visitors to enjoy live match broadcasts, interactive activities, great food, and immersive entertainment in the heart of the nation’s capital. Set among the monuments and memorials that tell America’s story, the experience will showcase the energy, hospitality, and optimism that define our country. As America approaches its 250th birthday, the Fan Zone will offer a unique opportunity to celebrate the excitement of world-class competition. 

MLK Family Celebration: Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom, Unity & Gratitude

Celebrate Juneteenth in an unforgettable evening where music, unity, and gratitude take center stage. Presented by our Faith and Family Programming, this event featured powerful performances from Grammy-nominated artists Wintley Phipps and Vernesa Mitchell and special guest appearances by Secretary Scott Turner of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson, Dr. Alveda King, and Director Patrick Penn of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

USDA Center for Faith hosts Halal Food Access and Marketing Discussion

The USDA Center for Faith was excited to host a halal food access and marketing discussion with key Muslim American Faith Partners. The meeting highlighted challenges along the halal food supply chain as well as key opportunities for farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness in the United States. The USDA Center is committed to ensuring that Religiously Required foods are accessible by faith communities across the country so that may be nourished spiritually, as well as physically.

ICNA Relief USA CEO Abdul Rauf Khan signs a Memorandum of Intent with the USDA regarding the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. For more information click here.

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,

Faith-based and community-based organizations are a vital, yet sometimes unsung, role in agriculture, especially in supporting underserved communities, promoting sustainable practices, and fostering local food systems.

Faith-based organizations are uniquely positioned to address agricultural challenges and opportunities due to their deep community roots, their passionate and committed volunteer base, and their holistic approach that they follow. They can effectively reach populations that might be missed by larger government programs or traditional agricultural extension services, including low-income families and small-scale farmers. Their community-driven nature can allow for more innovative, tailored, and flexible approaches to agricultural challenges.

Grants, technical assistance, and capacity building are absolutely crucial for faith based organizations to maximize their impact and contribute to rural prosperity.

Without grants, many faith and community based organizations simply wouldn't have the resources to operate. Without technical assistance, they might struggle to implement best practices or achieve optimal results. And without capacity building, their efforts might be short-lived or less impactful in the long run.

We at the USDA Center for Faith are committed to ensuring that faith based organizations receive the technical assistance they need to address challenges in their communities. Please email faith@usda.gov if there is a project we can assist you with.

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.

Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program

The Community Food Projects (CFP) competitive grants program awards grants to eligible nonprofits, tribal organizations, and food program service providers to promote self-sufficiency and increase food security in low-income communities by developing comprehensive, community-based solutions. Projects vary in scope, ranging from community gardens with market stands to marketing and consumer cooperatives, but all must involve low-income participants. Application deadline: 7/16/2026

Non-profit Security Grant Program - Federal Emergency Management Agency

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) improves and increases the physical/cybersecurity and facility/target hardening of nonprofit organizations’ facilities at risk of a terrorist of other extremist attack, ultimately safeguarding the lives and property of the American people.  

The NSGP will improve and increase the physical/cybersecurity and facility/target hardening of nonprofit organizations’ facilities at risk of a terrorist of other extremist attack, ultimately safeguarding the lives and property of the American people. Concurrently, the NSGP will integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack with broader state and local preparedness efforts. Application deadline: 7/24/2026

America's Healthy Food Financing Initiative

Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund Grant Program

The HFFI Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund (HFFI FARE Fund) is a program under America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative, a program of USDA Rural Development. Through the 2026 HFFI FARE Fund Grant and Technical Assistance funding cycle, at least $5,250,000 is available for planning and implementation Grants and at least $1,000,000 is available for Technical Assistance to eligible food retail and post-harvest food retail supply chain projects across the country. 

Deadline for Funding Inquiry Form: 7/31/2026

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

The CoC 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.

California Avocado Summer Wrap

These heart-healthy Summer Wraps are a great way to Eat Real Food.

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

Sunshine Salad

Squash Salsa

Summer Breeze Smoothies