WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA received record demand for funding to advance clean energy in rural America under the Inflation Reduction Act. Passed last year by the then Democratic-controlled Congress on a party-line vote, the legislation is considered the "largest clean energy and climate investment in history … [Read more...]
Rural Grocery Summit coming to Alabama in June
Next year's National Rural Grocery Summit is set for June 24-25 in Montgomery, Alabama, organizers recently announced. Co-hosted by the Rural Grocery Initiative at Kansas State University and the Hunger Solutions Institute at Auburn University, the event will provide "networking and resource-sharing opportunities for independent grocers and rural food access stakeholders," … [Read more...]
USDA seeks applications to spur rural job growth and economic development
WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the Department is accepting applications for funding to help create jobs and promote economic growth in rural communities. USDA is making loans and grants available under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) programs for fiscal year (FY) 2024. Through these programs, USDA … [Read more...]
Grant applications open for farmers and ranchers to access markets
WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small announced this month that USDA is accepting applications for grants to help farmers and ranchers maximize the value of the items they produce. USDA is making the grants available under the Value-Added Producer Grants program. The grants help agricultural producers … [Read more...]
USDA touts loan guarantee program
WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced USDA is deploying $100 million under the new Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program to make available nearly $1 billion in loan guarantees; these loan guarantees will back private investment in processing and food supply infrastructure. The funding is available through the American Rescue … [Read more...]