Usda Small Business Grants 2021

Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program

The Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program is a part of USDAs Build Back Better initiative to strengthen critical supply chains and our food system. This program guarantees loans of up to $40 million for qualified lenders to finance food systems projects, specifically for the start-up or expansion of activities in the middle of the food supply chain. The program will support new investments in infrastructure for food aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling, and distribution to increase capacity and create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain. This program is fully funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

Small Business Innovation Research And Technology Transfer Programs

The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture offer competitively awarded grants to qualified small businesses to support high quality research related to important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefits.

The USDA SBIR/STTR program office directs all activities required under the SBIR law and executes the policy established by the Small Business Administration. The SBIR/STTR programs at USDA are administered exclusively by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture .

Awards are based on the scientific and technical merit of investigator-initiated ideas. The SBIR/STTR programs do not make loans and do not award grants for the purpose of helping a business get established.

Historically Underserved Farmers And Ranchers

We offer help for the unique concerns of producers who meet the USDA definition of historically underserved — beginning, socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and military veterans. In addition, women in agriculture are helping to pave the way for a better future. Use this self-determination tool to determine if youre a limited resource producer.

If you inherited land without a clear title or documented legal ownership, learn more about how USDA can help Heirs Property Landowners establish a farm number to gain access to a variety of programs and services.

If you are a producer with disabilities, organizations like Agrability offer services that can help adapt and modify farm equipment to be more accessible.

USDA has been helping more and more farms and gardens in urban centers. Learn about our Urban Farming funding and resources.

If you are an organic farmer, you can apply for the same loans and programs as conventional farmers. You may also apply for USDA to pay a portion of your certification through the FSA Organic Certification Cost Share Program.

For specific conservation assistance that may interest you, check out NRCS Assistance for Organics.

The USDA National Organic Program has resources from a comprehensive list of organic farms to certification information.

Learn more about USDA programs, services, and resources available for organic farmers.

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Rural Business Development Grants

This funding record is inactive. Please see the program website or contact the program sponsor to determine if this program is currently accepting applications or will open again in the future.

Choose the appropriate state in the drop down menu on the top right of the program website. This will open the state specific page. Tabs at the top of the page will show general program information, forms and resources, and state specific contact information.

Federal contacts:

Rural Business Development Grants support targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1,000,000 in gross revenues.

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

• Training and technical assistance, such as:
• Project planning
• Professional/technical reports
• Product/service improvements

Rural public entities including, but not limited to:

Beginning Farmers And Ranchers

USDA, through the Farm Service Agency, provides direct and guaranteed loans to beginning farmers and ranchers who are unable to obtain financing from commercial credit sources. Each fiscal year, the Agency targets a portion of its direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operating loan funds to beginning farmers and ranchers.

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What Does This Program Do

Who may apply for this program?

• Rural cooperatives .

What is an eligible area?What kind of funding is available?How may funds be used?

• Training and technical assistance, such as project planning, business counseling and training, market research, feasibility studies, professional or/technical reports or producer service improvements.
• Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way construction, conversion, renovation of buildings plants, machinery, equipment, access for streets and roads parking areas and utilities.
• Pollution control and abatement.
• The capitalization of revolving loan funds, including funds that will make loans for start-ups and working capital.
• Distance adult learning for job training and advancement.
• Rural transportation improvement.
• Feasibility studies and business plans.
• Leadership and entrepreneur training.

• Community economic development.
• Feasibility studies and business plans.
• Leadership and entrepreneur training.

• Evidence showing job creation at local businesses.
• Percent of non-federal funding committed to the project.
• Economic need in the area to be served.
• Consistency with local economic development priorities.
• Experience of the grantee with similar efforts.

How do we get started?What law governs this program?

• Basic Program 7 CFR Part 4280, Subpart E. This program is authorized by the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act .

• This program was authorized by the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act .

Affordable And Safe Housing

One of the three divisions of Rural Development, the Housing and Community Facilities Program, invests in providing safe, clean and modest living for those who live outside our urban centers. Whether it’s through a loan or loan guarantee to purchase a home loans and grants to provide necessary repairs or even rental assistance and financing to build affordable apartment complexes for families or seniors – the housing program ensures that housing is available and affordable in rural communities. Since 2009, we’ve helped more than 625,000 rural families in more than 21,000 communities buy, repair or refinance a home, and provided funding for more than 1,000 housing developments.

Communities also need facilities that benefit the population. Whether it’s a fire station or a food bank, a senior center, hospital or city hall, the Community Facilities loan and grant program can be a financial partner to help provide essential community services. Since 2009, Rural Development has financed nearly 8,000 community facilities projects. Among these projects are more than 900 education facilities, 475 libraries, more than 1,000 health care facilities, and more than 3,400 public safety facilities.

Learn more about Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Programs and Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program.

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Assisting The Development Of Small And Emerging Rural Businesses

Small businesses are vital to growing and sustaining rural economies, but starting and growing them isnt easy. The Rural Business Development Grant Program supports the development and growth of rural small and emerging businesses with fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues. The program awards grants on a competitive basis to towns and other governmental entities, Native American Tribes, rural cooperatives, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations for planning, technical assistance, job training, and acquisition of land, capital, equipment and other business development needs. Support is available in the form of either enterprise or opportunity grants.

Learn more about RBDG:

• Program Basics: Learn more about how this program works
• Eligibility: Find out who can utilize this program
• The Program in Action: Read success stories from those who have used this program
• Program History, Funding, and Farm Bill Changes: Learn about important policy changes and funding levels provided by the Farm Bill
• En español: Para más información de las programas de desarrollo rural, contacte la oficina del estado o visite la página web de RD

Have A Clear Use Of The Proceeds

Many grants are available only for specific uses. When you apply for the grant, have an itemized list of your intended use of the proceeds and bids for whatever you will be purchasing. The more organized you are, the better. Its also important to follow up by sticking to the uses you described as closely as you can.

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Veterinary Shortage Situation Nominations Webinar For State Animal Health Officials

This webinar will be a panel discussion of best practices and lessons learned from NIFA staff and select State Animal Health Officials for how veterinary shortage situation areas are identified. Additionally, NIFA staff will discuss how the nominations are used by both applicants and awardees of the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program and the Veterinary Services Grant Program .

Grants To Provide Technical Assistance For Rural Transportation Systems

USDA is inviting applications for grants to provide Technical Assistance for passenger Rural Transportation systems under the Rural Business Development Grant program and the terms for such funding. Federal Register Notice Application Dates Open Date: January 14, 2022Close Date: April 14, 2022, 4:30 p.m. local time

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Usda Continues To Expand Opportunities And Support To Small Businesses

As May comes to a close, USDA reflects on recent activities to support small businesses nationwide. The first of the month marked the start of National Small Business Week 2022. In recognition of the observance, USDAs national and state office leadership connected with small businesses in states and territories that have limited procurement activities. The goal was to highlight federal opportunities to help build and grow their businesses.

These connections were made at the “USDA Small Business 201 Workshop – Accessing Contract and Procurement Opportunities”, the second in a series of workshops designed to provide small businesses with information, tools, and resources to access federal procurement opportunities. USDA provides opportunities to small, rural, minority, women, veteran, and other disadvantaged businesses, and works to ensure that everyone who attends the workshops understands USDA’s programmatic and procurement processes.

In Oklahoma, the USDA field-based and state leadership teams participated in an outreach event with Arnetta Cotton, first lady and pastor of United Temple Family Church, to highlight collaborative programmatic opportunities for small and rural agricultural enterprises with limited English proficiency. The multi-county outreach event focused on Getting Back to the Basics and had nearly two dozen participating farmers and ranchers.

Federal State Marketing Improvement Program

This matching grant program, also known as FSMIP, provides matching funds to State Departments of Agriculture and other appropriate State agencies to assist in exploring new market opportunities for food and agricultural products, and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the marketing system.

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Grants And Loans For Farmers

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. DOE.

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office funds solar energy research and development projects through competitive solicitations known as funding opportunities, as well as prizes. You can view all current funding opportunities here.

USDA. NAL. Alternative Farming Systems Information Center.

Describes programs and resource guides that serve as starting points for identifying funding opportunities.

USDA. Farm Service Agency. and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

This 2017 guide details USDA programs, arranged by Agency, “that have been created to help farmers succeed.” Each program description “provides helpful information on who’s eligible, what a program helps farmers do, and where to go to get more information.” Note: Includes “Special Set-asides for Organic, Beginning, Socially Disadvantaged, and/or Military Veteran Farmers and Ranchers” program matrix .

United States Department of Agriculture.

USDA offers numerous programs to help farmers, ranchers, and businesses access the organic market. This page describes and links to USDA loan programs, conservation assistance, crop insurance, and marketing programs that support organic agriculture.

The Program In Action

• Since launching in March 2015, RBDG has been used to provide technical assistance and training to farmers and other small business owners, start revolving loan funds, and spur new business opportunities in rural communities. Examples of funded projects made possible through RBDG include:
• Republic Food Enterprise Center received $91,576 to convert 5,000 square feet of warehouse space into an energy-efficient cool room to allow for the storage and processing of fruits and vegetables.
• New England Farmers Union Education Foundation received $42,000 to support co-operative enterprise development in Connecticut and beginning farmer classes in Rhode Island.
• Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association received $98,950 to establish an organic farm and business loan fund, provide technical assistance, and develop business and marketing workshops.
• St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners received $97,000 for a feasibility study on connecting local, small farms and processors with commercial airlines.

• Montgomery County Government received $18,820 to purchase equipment for the countys commercial kitchen.

Read more about how RBDG has helped provide new and increased marketing opportunities for farmers and other small business owners, spurred rural economic development, and provided consumers with more food choices:

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Apply By February 28 2022

Georgia Rural Business Development Grant Program Contacts by Location:

Counties Served Area One: Bartow, Catoosa, Carroll, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dade, Douglas, Fannin, Fayette, Fulton, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Harris, Heard, Meriwether, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Talbot, Troup, Walker, Whitfield

Area One Contact: Cartersville/Newnan office -Tamika Lucas 253-2555

Counties Served Area Two: Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Dawson, Dekalb, Elbert, Forsyth, Franklin, Greene, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Rabun, Rockdale, Stephens, Towns, Union, Walton, White

Area Two Contact: Monroe office- Kathy Forster, 267-1413 ext. 114

Counties Served: Area Three: Bibb, Bleckley, Butts, Chattahoochee, Clay, Crawford, Henry, Houston, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lee, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Muscogee, Peach, Pike, Pulaski, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter, Taylor, Terrell, Twiggs, Upson, Webster

Area Three Contact: Fort Valley office- Holly Selph, 291-3073

Counties Served Area Four: Baldwin, Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, Lincoln, McDuffie, Putnam, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Treutlen, Warren, Washington, Warren, Wilkes, Wilkinson

Area Four Contacts: Sandersville office- Michael Curry, Karen Jameson, Kathy Ross, 552-6073 ext. 4

Area Five Contact: Tifton office – Debra Bell-Dison, 382-0273

Preliminary Actions Required

How To Apply And Program Resources

RBDG is administered by State USDA Rural Development Offices and applications are accepted once per year. To learn about application deadlines and local requirements, applicants should contact their State USDA Rural Development Office.

Applicants must pre-register with the System for Award Management and obtain a Data Universal Number System number. Applicants are advised to apply early for these no-cost requirements as they can take considerable time. Those already registered with these systems do not need to do it again.

For more information on RBDG and how to apply, please visit USDA Rural Business Development Grant Program and/or contact your State USDA Rural Development Office.

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Harris Announces Additional Usda Rural Development Grants

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. today announced that the USDA Rural Development Agency has awarded $204,161 in federal grants to a local farm in Westminster and two entrepreneurship centers on the Eastern Shore. Specific funding allocations can be found below:

• Willet Family Farm, Westminster $49,993 for the expansion and packaging enhancement associated with the farm’s local free range egg production
• Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center, Easton $22,481 to provide business based training and technical assistance to rural microenterprises and microentrepreneurs

Congressman Harris issued the following statement:

“Providing expertise and hands on training to prospective small business owners is a strong investment in both long-term business development and our local workforces. As the Acting Ranking Member for the appropriations subcommittee responsible for this funding, I remain committed to ensuring rural America is provided the resources and expertise it needs to grow and thrive in our competitive business environment.”

This announcement follows two other recent USDA grant announcements from Congressman Harris in and .

Find Your Local Service Center

We are committed to delivering USDA services to Americas farmers and ranchers while taking safety measures in response to the pandemic. Some USDA offices are beginning to reopen to limited visitors by appointment only. Service Center staff also continue to work with agricultural producers via phone, email, and other digital tools. Learn more at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to nd your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.Visit the Risk Management Agency website to nd a regional or compliance office or to nd an insurance agent near you.

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Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

• Return to Grants and Opportunities

The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops .

The agency, commission, or department responsible for agriculture within any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is eligible to apply directly to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for grant funds. Organizations or individuals interested in the SCBGP should contact their state department of agriculture for more information.