Dr. Salerno – The Silver Cloud Diet

USDA Announces $8.3 Million in Grants for Rural Co-ops

Farm in Autumn (photo by Gracey Stinson, courtesy of morgueFile.com)

Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager has announced support to help rural cooperatives expand economic activity in their communities. The Under Secretary made the announcement yesterday during a speech in Washington D.C. marking October as National Cooperative Month.

According to the National Cooperative Business Association, the nation’s 30,000 cooperatives account for more than $650 billion in revenue and more than 2 million jobs.

“President Obama and Secretary Vilsack have recognized the importance of America’s Rural Cooperatives during Cooperative Month. Rural cooperatives not only provide thousands of jobs, they invigorate local communities and businesses,” Tonsager said.

“The grants I am announcing today will help these recipients continue their work. Their success underscores the importance of the cooperative system as a successful business model.”

The funding is being provided through USDA’s Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program. During his speech, Tonsager highlighted several cooperative projects and acknowledged the efforts of co-op officials from across the country.

Farm to Table

One of the cooperatives acknowledged by the Under Secretary, Farm to Table, plans to use a $142,382 grant to improve economic conditions in rural New Mexico. It will collaborate with New Mexico’s oldest member-owned cooperative – La Montanita – on a best practices curriculum for food system cooperative development, and on a new loan investment initiative for food systems businesses.

The Mississippi Association of Cooperatives will use its $225,000 in grant funding to provide small and minority farmers with development assistance. The Center focuses the vast majority of its efforts on the most distressed rural areas of the state. The group helps minority farmers establish financially sound businesses.

For a complete list of organizations that have been selected to receive Rural Cooperative Development Grants, go to: USDA

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