OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Several Nebraska and Iowa organizations will receive some of the $17 million in grants the federal Agriculture Department is handing out to help new farmers and ranchers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the grants recently. The money helps support programs to train and support beginning farmers and ranchers.

Legal Aid of Nebraska will receive $654,902 for its programs to help educate farmers, especially veterans returning from military service.

The Community Crops program in Lincoln will receive $381,726 to provide training in business and production skills for 150 Hispanic farmers.

An Iowa State University program will receive $698,393 to help aging farmers plan for succession at their operations.

The Women, Food and Agriculture Network in Sioux City will receive $401,802 to encourage and train women to be farmers.