Source:  USDA, 9/15/10

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced support for economic development initiatives and for educational institutions to help owners of small farms and rural businesses in 22 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The secretary announced the funding at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference.

"USDA and the Obama administration are committed to supporting small business and our nation's historically black educational institutions to ensure that all citizens have equal access to economic opportunities," Vilsack said. "This funding will help create the next generation of entrepreneurs and help small businesses better compete in today's global economy."

These awards are being provided through USDA Rural Development's Small and Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant Program and through a Rural Entrepreneurship Outreach and Development Initiative. Both programs support job creation efforts, business development and nurture cooperatives. Recipients of the outreach initiative funding are among the 18 institutions supported under the Second Morrill Act of 1890, a law providing for the establishment of land-grant institutions focusing on agriculture, home economics and the mechanic arts.

For example, Alabama A&M University has been selected to receive a $95,000 grant to provide outreach and technical assistance to help entrepreneurs, businesses and cooperatives. The university will develop educational materials concerning renewable energy sources, continue a rural entrepreneurial outreach and development program for youth, develop financial management training, and provide technical assistance to rural business cooperatives.

In Georgia, Fort Valley State University has been selected for a $105,000 grant to help rural businesses develop business and marketing plans that will help them more fully utilize sources of funding such as USDA Rural Development's Intermediary Relending Program. The grant also will help Fort Valley continue to operate the area's only small business incubator.

The Rio Culebra Agricultural Cooperative in Colorado is using a $175,000 Small and Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant that it was awarded in 2009 to help develop a business and marketing plan that will enable members to provide beef products in metropolitan areas. The cooperative also is helping producers sell specialty crops for Chicos and Bolita Beans. Additionally, it is working on a feasibility study for small-scale camelina production for a specialty cooking oil and use in a local biodiesel plant.

Funding of recipients announced today is contingent upon their meeting the conditions of the grant agreement. The following is a complete list of organizations receiving USDA Rural Development awards:
1890 Land-Grant Institutions Rural Entrepreneurship Outreach and Development Initiative Grants
Alabama:
Alabama A&M University – $95,000
Tuskegee University – $100,000
Arkansas:
University of Arkansas Pine Bluff – $105,000
Delaware:
Delaware State University – $115,000
Florida:
Florida A&M University – $105,000
Georgia:
Fort Valley State University – $105,000
Louisiana:
Southern University and A&M College – $115,000
Maryland:
University of Maryland Eastern Shore – $100,000
Mississippi:
Alcorn State University – $100,000
North Carolina:
North Carolina A&T State University – $100,000
Oklahoma:
Langston University – $104,000
South Carolina:
South Carolina State University – $100,000
Texas:
Prairie View A&M University – $70,035
West Virginia:
West Virginia State University – $100,000
Virginia:
Virginia State University – $80,965
Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grants
Colorado
Arkansas Valley Organic Growers – $93,000
Rio Culebra Agricultural Cooperative – $186,000
Hawaii
Hawaii Bio-Energy Producers Cooperative – $114,715
Louisiana
Louisiana Association of Cooperatives – $200,000
Michigan
Farmers on the Move Cooperative Inc. – $200,000
Mississippi
Mileston Cooperative Association – $105,824
Mississippi Association of Cooperatives – $200,000
Winston County Self-Help Cooperative – $200,000
North Delta Produce Growers Association – $177,417
Minnesota
Hillside Farmers Cooperative, Inc. – $113,865
New Mexico
Red Willow Community Growers Cooperative – $182,500
New York
North Country Grown Cooperative, Inc. – $62,175
Puerto Rico
Cooperativa Agro-Comercial De Puerto Rico – $154,360
South Carolina
People's Farmers Cooperative, Inc. – $100,000
Farmers Low Country Marketing Cooperative – $64,500
Federation of Southern Cooperatives – $146,595
Pee Dee Small Farmer Association Inc. – $34,500
SCF Organic Farms LTD – $100,000
South Dakota
Intertribal Buffalo Council – $175,000
Washington
Manzaneros Mexicanos De Washington Corporation – $150,000

Through its Rural Development mission area, USDA administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a network of 6,100 employees located in the nation's capital and 500 state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers, and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $142 billion in loans and loan guarantees.