Cooperative Program Grants and Assistance

The mission of Cooperative Services Program is to promote understanding and use of the cooperative form of business as a viable organizational option for marketing and distributing agricultural products. We serve cooperative members, directors, management, educational institutions, organizations, rural residents, and all others with an interest in the cooperative form of business. We strive to assist them to effectively use cooperatives to improve their economic well-being and quality of life.

For information on each specific program follow the respective link below:

• Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG)

Grants may be used for planning activities and for working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy. Eligible applicants are independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, agricultural producer groups, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures..

• Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG)

The RBOG program 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 and to assist with economic development planning.

• Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grant (SSDPG)

The purpose of this section is to assist in the development of new and emerging technologies for the development of advanced biofuels.

• Rural Cooperative Development Grsnt Program(RCDG)

Rural Cooperative Development grants are made for establishing and operating centers for cooperative development for the primary purpose of improving the economic condition of rural areas through the development of new cooperatives and improving operations of existing cooperatives.

• Research on the Economic Impact of Cooperatives (REIC)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is encouraging research on the issue of determining the economic impact of cooperative organizations.

• 1890 Land Grant Colleges and Universities Initiative
  

  USDA Rural Development and the 1890 Land-Grant Universities are working together on a new approach to support the development of businesses that create quality jobs. This partnership helps the 1890 Institutions provide businesses with the assistance needed to organize and operate efficiently and profitably.