New Announcements
Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Grants - Deadline: 4pm, August 23, 2010
Projects to increase the purchase of food grown or produced in Wisconsin
are eligible for competitive grants this year through the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin
(BLBW) program.
Individuals, groups, businesses and organization involved in Wisconsin agriculture,
agritourism, food retailing, processing, distribution or warehousing are invited to
apply. The maximum grant award is $50,000 per project, and grant applicants must
provide at least a 33% cash or in-kind match. Application materials are
available at: http://lists.wi.gov/t/460326/558531/1226/0/
In addition to being available online, application materials - including the grant
program pre-proposal template and the 2010 grant manual - can be obtained by
emailing datcpBLBW@wi.gov or calling Teresa Cuperus at 608-224-5101.
Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG) - Deadline: August 9, 2010
The RCDG program is designed to improve the economic conditions in rural areas by funding the establishment or operation of Coop Development Centers that can help start up, expand or improve rural coops and mutually-owned businesses.
This year (2010) USDA is specifically interested in projects that help create wealth in rural communities through strategies that stimulate economies and create jobs through - Local and regional food systems; Renewable energy generation, energy conservation, and climate change adaptation/mitigation; Broadband and other critical infrastructure; Access to capital; or Innovative uses of natural resources.
USDA expects to award about 35, one-year grants with an average grant size of $225,000. Paper applications must be postmarked by August 9, 2010 and electronic applications must be received by August 9, 2010. Visit the Rural Development website for more information or contact your local Rural Development office.
USDA Rural Energy Grant and Loan Applications Open
A total of $87 million is available in FY2010 for projects to develop and/or construct renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements...more.
Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grant (SSDPG)
Formerly known as the Small, Minority Producer Grant Program, the primary objective of the SSDPG program is to provide technical assistance to small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers through eligible cooperatives and associations of cooperatives. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. The maximum award amount per grant is $200,000...more. Find the contact person for your state.
Guide to USDA Funding for Local and Regional Food Systems
This new publication by NSAC identifies and explains key programs that can help community based organizations and others that are working to build infrastructure, provide training to farmers, research new marketing opportunities, and otherwise working to strengthen regional food systems.
New USDA pilot program will fund one hoop house per farm
This program is part of a pilot project to see if high tunnels are
effective in reducing pesticide use, keeping vital nutrients in the soil, extending
the growing season, increasing yields, and providing other benefits to growers.
The size of the high tunnel funded by EQIP is limited to 2178 sq. ft. Payment rate
is $1.86/sq. ft. The practice must be sited on existing cropland that has an active crop production
history. To sign up or learn more about EQIP assistance for high tunnel projects, contact your local NRCS office.
Building Sustainable Places Guide
Michael Fields Agricultural
Institute, National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), and several
USDA agencies have just released this 108-page
guide. The new guide covers 64 grant, loan, and other resources from USDA
and other federal agencies. This Guide aims to help farmers, landowners,
consumers, small businesses and others who are interested in sustainable
agriculture in both rural and urban areas identify federal programs that
could advance their interests. The Guide is available in hard copy and also
on the website of NCAT's Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas
(ATTRA) program. To obtain a free hard copy of the guide, please
contact ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service at
(800) 346-9140 or e-mail Debbie at debbier@ncat.org.
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