The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it is handing out more than $17 million in grants to 29 institutions to address the needs of beginning farmers and ranchers.

The department says it will make grants to organizations that will implement programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers.

In a release, the agency said South Dakota State University is allotted just over $700,000, and Fort Berthold Community College in New Town, North Dakota, has a $614,000 grant.