Greensboro, NC - U.S. Senator Kay Hagan today announced that North Carolina A&T State University will receive a $173,000 Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant to support small, socially disadvantaged farmers in North Carolina. The grant will be used to provide technical assistance to producers across the state.

"Our hard-working farmers serve an important role in our communities and in our economy," said Hagan. "I'm pleased that this funding will provide eligible farmers with the resources they need to grow their farms and keep the agriculture economy strong in North Carolina."

The grant is awarded through a Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that aims to improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. The Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grant (SSDPG) program provides technical assistance to agriculture producers through eligible cooperatives and cooperative development centers. North Carolina A&T is one of 19 award recipients nationwide.