USDA has opened the application period for the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) which provides matching funds on a competitive basis to State Departments of Agriculture.  Projects are to assist in exploring new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products, and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the U.S. marketing system.

Funds can be used on applied research projects that address barriers, challenges, and opportunities in marketing, transporting, and distributing U.S. food and agricultural products domestically and internationally. 
Eligible agricultural categories include livestock, livestock products, food and feed crops, fish and shellfish, horticulture, viticulture, apiary, and forest products and processed or manufactured products derived from such commodities. Proposals that address issues of importance at the State, multi-State, or national level are appropriate. FSMIP also seeks unique proposals that reflect a collaborative approach between the States, academia, the farm sector and other appropriate entities and stakeholders.

Grants range from $25,000 to $135,000 and if you have a project that would be applicable please contact your state department of agriculture, as they can apply on your behalf.  Applications are due on February 17, 2011.  More information can be found here.

I believe Tracy Byrd sang the lyrics to this song “that’s where I’m from and I’m proud to say… I’m from the country and I like it that way.” Don’t be surprised if I turn that song up and sing along on the radio this evening on my drive home, out of the bustling city amongst all the other rush hour drivers to head to my house nestled in the country side of central Indiana. Ahhh… the country… it is so peaceful and quiet there and makes me appreciate all the simple things in life.

But all of that aside I have a grant from USDA to mention to you today that is available for cooperatives or associations of cooperatives whose primary focus is to provide assistance to small producers in rural areas and where at least 75 percent of the governing board or membership has an annual gross ag product sales of $250,000 or less. Grants can be used for product improvements, business plan development, or economic development activities of eligible producers. Funds can range up to $200,000 per grant. Applications are due July 27th and more information can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/ssdpg/ssdpg.htm  

Just like the John Mellencamp song says: “I’ve seen it all in a small town, had myself a ball in a small town.” I grew up in one such small town in North Central, Indiana and can safely say the older I get the more I like small town, rural America. Where else can you walk down the street and know over half of the people you see? Where else can you eat at the local diner and get all the latest news and gossip? Small towns have such a sense of pride in their community, their schools, and any other thing that makes their town unique. That’s why this weeks blog post features grants that specifically aid projects in those small town, rural areas.

USDA’s definition of rural is; any area other than a city with a population greater than 50,000.

USDA- Rural Business Opportunity Grant promotes sustainable economic development in rural communities with exceptional needs through provision of training and technical assistance for business development, entrepreneurs and economic development officials to assist with economic development planning. Eligible applicants include rural public bodies, rural non profit corporations and cooperatives with primarily rural members. Applications are due June 28, 2010 and for more information you can visit this website http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rbog.htm and check with your USDA Rural Development State office, http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html

USDA-New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grant Program is for technology development, applied research and/or training to develop an agriculture based renewable energy workforce. Funding will be used to enable community colleges and advanced technological centers located in rural areas to strengthen the Nation’s technical, scientific and professional workforce in the fields of bioenergy, pulp and paper manufacturing and ag based renewable energy resources. Applications are due April 14th, 2010 and more information can be found at http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/new_era.html