Financing Resources for Cooperative Development

The Farmers Market Promotion Program increases the availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products by providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to domestic farmers markets, community-supported agriculture programs, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. Related programs include the Regional Food System Partnerships program and the Local Food Promotion Program.

Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) provides cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who are obtaining or renewing their certification under the National Organic Program (NOP). Certified operations may receive up to 50 percent of their certification costs paid during the program year, not to exceed $500 per certification scope.

The USDA Regional Food Business Centers will provide financial assistance of up to $100,000 to support projects focused on the needs of producers in specific regions. They will act as regional hubs to coordinate across geographic area as well as providing technical assistance to assist producers in accessing local and regional supply chains.

USDA Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Loan and Grant Program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas - https://www.usda.gov/reconnect. The entities considered eligible to apply for assistance under the ReConnect Program include: Corporations, Limited Liability Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships, Cooperatives or mutual organizations, states or local governments, a territory or possession of the United States; and Tribal entities, see website and regulations for further details.

USDA Rural Development Distance Learning & Telemedicine (DLT) Grant program helps rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other - and the world - overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. We encourage you to consider projects that promote equity and economic opportunity in rural America for this competitive grant. Eligible applicants include most entities that provide education OR health care through telecommunications, including: State and local governmental organizations; Federally-recognized Tribes; non-profit organizations; incorporated, for-profit businesses; groups of eligible entities working together.

USDA Rural Development Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small, rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue and check our eligibility map for rurality. Eligible applicants could include towns, communities, state agencies, authorities, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, tribal, and rural cooperatives. Please see website and regulations for more details.

USDA RD Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) is a competitive award to cooperative development centers that help individuals and businesses start, expand, or improve rural cooperatives and other mutually owned businesses. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher learning and non-profits. Cooperatives looking for assistance, please click on cooperative development centers above. Please see website and regulations for more details.

USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants program assists rural small businesses and agricultural producers by conducting and promoting energy audits and providing Renewable Energy Development Assistance (REDA). Eligible applicants are: state and local governments; federally-recognized tribes; a land-grant college or university or other institutions of higher education; rural electric cooperatives; public power entities; an instrumentality of a state, tribal or local government; a Resource Conservation & Development Council. If you would like to get a list of these auditors for your energy audit needs, please contact your State Energy Coordinator.

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants provides guaranteed loans and grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses/cooperatives for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Please see website and regulations for more details.

The Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) with USDA Rural Development is a competitive program provides funds so cooperative development centers and cooperatives apply to assist socially disadvantaged groups to create or assist cooperatives. Eligible applicants include cooperatives and cooperative development centers, please see website and regulations for more information.