USDA just announced another signup period for specialty crop block grants. It’s a segment of their “Know your food, know your farmer” initiative.

This program’s philosophy mirrors that of the ODAFF very closely and we’re excited about the possibilities these grants could generate. Click here for a full press release regarding the USDA grants.

OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND FORESTRY

Oklahoma’s Agricultural Enhancement and Diversification program can now provide diversification grants of up to $10,000. Previously the largest grant available was $5,000. Deadline for this quarter’s applications is October 1.

Diversification grants target farmers who want to raise non-traditional crops or livestock, conduct value-added processing or those in agritourism.

“There are three levels of grants,” said Rick Maloney, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry marketing director. “The first level consists of grants of up to $2,500 and these do not require any form of matching funds or in-kind support. The next level is grants of $2,500-$5,000 and these require a 25 percent match in either cash or in-kind contribution.

“The third level requires dollar for dollar matching funds and these grants can be made for up to $10,000,” he said. “Applicants at this level will also be required to make a presentation to the OAED board of directors for consideration.”

Interest-free loans are also available for individuals or producer groups to assist in cooperative marketing, business plan development and feasibility studies.

ODAFF coordinators Jason Harvey and Gary Bledsoe are experienced in dealing with both loan and grant applications and can frequently offer advice to applicants. Harvey’s phone number is (405) 522-5563. Bledsoe can be reached at (405) 830-1341.

Applications and additional information are available online at www.oda.state.ok.us or by calling Jason Harvey at the ODAFF. Harvey’s mailing address is: Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, 2800 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105.

A program directed toward small, limited resource producers wanting to expand specialty crop production is offering grants and up to one acre of plasticulture installation. Applications for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry grants must be postmarked by August 12.

The program emphasizes marketing and requires a three year commitment as funds are provided in increments of a maximum of $600 the first year and $400 the second and third years. Micah Anderson, ODAFF Plasticulture Coordinator, said applicants will be evaluated based on experience, marketing plans and application date.

Grant funds may be used for soil and water testing, animal depredation control, wildlife fencing, fertilizer, scales, and plants. The plasticulture grant program currently has $28,000 available.

For additional information and grant forms contact Ashley Carroll at (405) 522-4330. Application forms are also available online here.

Want to see more about plasticulture? Rob McClendon of Horizon Television did a great feature on the program last year. Check it out here.

Grant and loan application deadline for the next Oklahoma Agricultural Enhancement and Diversification program is July 1. State agriculture officials are urging all producers with innovative ideas to apply.

Agricultural diversification grants of up to $5,000 are available as well as interest-free loans in three categories: Cooperative Marketing Loans, Marketing and Utilization Loans, and Basic and Applied Research Loans.

Loans may not be used to purchase land, buildings or equipment. Eligible expenses include feasibility studies, business plans, legal expenses, consultant fees, product development and marketing.

Producers interested in either diversifying their current operations or entering some form of value-added or marketing venture are eligible. Producers or producer groups interested in pursuing forms of value-added enterprises or marketing cooperatives are also urged to apply.

Among other things, OAED loans and grants have been used in the development of a variety of agritourism ventures, biofuel projects and food processing businesses.

More information and applications are available online from the ODAFF here. For other questions contact Jason Harvey at (405) 522-5563. The mailing address is Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, 2800 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105.

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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today USDA is accepting applications for grants for cooperative development centers to improve economic conditions in rural areas.

“These cooperative development centers provide rural Americans with stronger technical and managerial skills helping small businesses become more profitable and creating jobs in rural communities,” said Vilsack.

Grants of up to $200,000 may awarded to colleges, universities and non-profit groups to create and operate centers that help individuals or groups establish, expand or operate rural businesses, especially cooperatives. The grants are being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Cooperative Development Grant program.

The centers promote President Obama’s goal to bring increased economic opportunities to rural residents by giving them tools to help their businesses grow. Cooperative program grants can be used, among other things, to conduct feasibility studies, create and implement business plans, and help businesses develop new markets for their products and services.

USDA may award up to $4.4 million in grants through this notice. Grants may finance up to 75 percent of the cost of establishing and operating the cooperative centers. Recipients must match 25 percent of the total project cost.

Applications are due by the close of business June 29, 2009. The application guide for this grant program can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops.htm Also see the April 29, 2009, Federal Register, page 19485.

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov .

For More Information Contact Nayyera Haq (202) 720-4623

While visiting with farmers in Lothrop, Mo., today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is making more than $17 million in grants available under the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. Vilsack also described recent initiatives, such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), designed to help producers and keep farmers on the land.

“This program underscores President Obama’s commitment to support the nation’s beginning farmers and ranchers,” Vilsack said. “Through the beginning farmer and rancher grant program, we can help ensure that we are doing all we can for the next generation of America’s farmers and ranchers.”

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program is an education, training, technical assistance and outreach program designed to help U.S. farmers and ranchers -specifically those who have been farming or ranching for 10 years or less. Congress authorized the FY 2009 funding for this program in the 2008 Farm Bill, with another $19 million in mandatory funding for FY 2010. Under the program, USDA will make grants available to state, local, tribal, regional, non-profits, community based organizations, academic institutions, and networks of appropriate private and public organizations to design programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers.

The projects will be limited to 3 years. Budget requests in the proposals, which are due May 13, 2009, must not exceed $250,000 per year. USDA is looking for proposals from these areas:

Mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships; Resources and referrals; Assisting beginning farmers or ranchers in acquiring land from retiring farmers and ranchers; Innovative farm and ranch transfer strategies; Entrepreneurship and business training; Model land leasing contracts; Financial management training; Whole farm planning; Conservation assistance; Risk management education; Diversification and marketing strategies; Curriculum development; Understanding the impact of concentration and globalization; Basic livestock and crop farming practices; The acquisition and management of agricultural credit; Environmental compliance; Information processing; and Other similar areas that would be useful to beginners.
More information about the program is at this link.

The Oklahoma Agricultural Enhancement and Diversification program has funding available for people with agricultural production or marketing ideas. Deadline for applications for loans and grants for the next quarter is April 1, and state agriculture officials are urging producers to take advantage of the program.

“This is the best program in the state for helping farmers and ranchers diversify their operations or develop creative marketing opportunities,” said Jason Harvey, marketing coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. “Since its inception in 2000, the OAED program has helped build the state’s rural economy through diversified agriculture, value-added ventures and marketing opportunities.”

Agricultural diversification grants of up to $5,000 are available as well as interest-free loans in three categories: Cooperative Marketing Loans, Marketing and Utilization Loans, and Basic and Applied Research Loans.

Loans may not be used to purchase land, buildings or equipment. Eligible expenses include feasibility studies, business plans, legal expenses, consultant fees, product development and marketing.

Applications are available online from the ODAFF at www.oda.state.ok.us by clicking the “Loans” link. For more information contact Harvey at (405) 522-5563. The mailing address is Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, 2800 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105.