Purpose.

(a) The purpose of the OASDFR Program is to make competitive awards to provide outreach and technical assistance to encourage and assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in: (1) Owning and operating farms, ranches and non-industrial forest lands; and (2) In participating equitably in the full range of agricultural programs offered by the Department. (b) The OASDFR Program awards shall be used exclusively to: (1) Enhance coordination of the outreach, technical assistance, and education efforts authorized under agriculture programs; (2) Assist in reaching current and prospective socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers or forest landowners in a linguistically appropriate manner; and (3) Improve the participation of those farmers and ranchers in agricultural programs.