USDA providing $6.3 million in grants for rural co-op development 24 in states

Rural Cooperatives, Nov-Dec, 2004

Rural cooperative development in 24 states got a $6.3 million boost from USDA Rural Development in September, when Agriculture Secretary, Ann M. Veneman announced the recipients of 2004 Cooperative Development Grants.

"Viable cooperative ventures are important to increasing economic development in rural areas," Veneman said. "These funds are important to ensuring farmers and ranchers have added opportunity to fully use their natural resources to create value-added ventures."

The grants were awarded on a competitive basis and are intended to foster rural cooperative development through projects that provide rural residents with education and technical assistance in areas of cooperative startup, marketing and managing, and other self-help tools.

In Pennsylvania, for example, Veneman said the Bush administration is providing grant funds to the Keystone Development Center of State College, which is working to support the formation of 11 farmer alliances and cooperatives. The effort includes developing cooperatives for forest-owners, biodiesel production and other natural resource-based ventures.

Another example is the Center for Rural Cooperative Business Development (CRCBD) at South Carolina State University, which received a $146,656 grant to help rural residents start new co-ops and to develop marketing plans and improve co-op management practices. In 1999, South Carolina State became the first historically black college or university to house a CRBCD. In 2001, the Center launched a farm-to-school produce project which encourages school districts to buy fresh fruit and vegetables from local co-ops of small farming operations.

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Rural Cooperative Development Grants

                                                              GRAND
STATE   PROJECT                                               AMOUNT

AL      Federation of Southern Cooperatives                   $300,000
AR      Winrock International Institute for Ag Development     299,935
CO      Rocky Mountain Farmers Union
        Educational & Charitable Foundation                    300,000
GA      Golden Triangle RC&D                                   266,816
IA      Iowa State University                                  299,943
IL      Western Illinois University                            189,044
IN      Indiana Rural Development Council, Inc.                 85,000
KY      Kentucky Center for Ag and Rural Development           184,150
MA      Cooperative Development Institute, Inc.                294,930
MD      University of Maryland Eastern Shore                   296,500
MN      Northcountry Cooperative Foundation                    300,000
MO      Missouri Farmers Union Family Farm Opportunity
          Center                                               298,065
MS      Mississippi Cooperative Development Center             300,000
MT      Montana Cooperative Development Center                 300,000
NO      North Dakota Association of Rural Electric
          Cooperatives                                         300,000
NE      Nebraska Cooperative Development Center                299,958
NH      New Hampshire Community Loan Fund                      300,000
OH      Ohio State University Research Foundation              299,867
PA      Keystone Development Center, Inc.                      299,832
SC      S.C. University, Center for Rural Co-op Business       146,656
          Dev.
SD      Value-Added Agriculture Development Center             200,000
VA      Southern States Cooperative Foundation                 299,989
WA      Northwest Cooperative Development Center               181,950
WI      Cooperative Development Services Fund, Inc.            300,000

TOTAL:                                                      $6,342,635