MorrisonGrants

USDA has released proposed rules for the 2010 Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program, with a comment period open through June 27, 2010.  Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation released the NOFA for five grant or assistance programs today, each of which assists entities with creating or expanding foreign markets for agricultural commodities in one way or another.

USDA, Rural Development, announced that the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is open for applications focused on Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements this week. This section of the program offers both grants and guaranteed loans. The purpose of the program is to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the Nation’s critical energy needs.

USDA, Rural Development, has announced the Rural Business Opportunity Grants. While planning and outreach projects are still eligible as in previous years, this year’s focus is “best practice” projects in the area of regional economic and community development using key strategies of USDA. Following is a brief summary; see official program rules for full details.

USDA Rural Development administers the Biorefinery Assistance Program to provide guaranteed loans for the development and construction of commercial-scale biorefineries or for the retrofitting of existing facilities (including, but not limited to, wood products facilities and sugar mills) for the development of advanced biofuels.

The USDA Rural Development has just announced the 2010 Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG).  The RBEG is designed to provide technical assistance to businesses; establish or re-capitalize a relending program; conduct training programs in connection with technical assistance; and create, expand, and operate rural distance learning networks.  Other funding activities may also be eligible, so contact your USDA RD office.

USDA has announced the 2010 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) Grants, which are designed to expand direct producer-to-consumer marketing opportunities (not just farmers markets, despite the program’s name).   Proposals may include projects addressing issues related to farmers markets, agritourism activities, community supported agriculture programs, roadside stands, and other direct producer-to-consumer marketing channels. 

In January, Brent and I attended two REAP workshops conducted by Phil Brown, USDA Business and Cooperative Specialist, in Oroville, California. The REAP is a program that we have successfully written for in the past, and like all grant programs, has its own nuances that any applicant needs to understand going into the application process.

We had a great time at the World Ag Expo 2010 on February 9 through 11. Thanks to those of you who stopped by our booth: we enjoyed talking with you. Congratulations to our drawing winners: Bill Brewer, a $500 gift card to Boot Barn; Annalee Locke, a Dell Netbook computer; and Thomas Burcham, a Kindle 2. Bill, Annalee, and Thomas were among many who subscribed to our new grant notification database.

The USDA has now formally announced  its Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBG).  This program is a “flow-through” program to the states.  That means that states apply to the USDA for funds and then you apply to the state.  Several states, including California, Colorado, Texas, Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Washington, have “jumped the gun” a bit by accepting applications in anticipation of this announcement from the USDA.