Rural cooperative development grants

This $200,000 Project Grant was awarded on September 27, 2023 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Cooperative Services under the Rural Cooperative Development Grants program (CFDA 10.771). The grant recipient, the Northwest Agriculture Business Center, is a non-profit organization that provides training, education, and technical assistance services to socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, rural businesses, and cooperatives. This funding will support the Center's efforts to encourage and assist these groups in owning and operating farms, ranches, and participating in USDA programs. Key services to be provided include introduction to USDA programs, application training and support, farming business administrative and operational training, computer training, business plan development, land access and financial literacy education, sales training, cooperative development assistance, financial training, and feasibility studies. The goal is to improve economic conditions in rural areas by facilitating the establishment and growth of agricultural, food, and rural cooperatives, and assisting socially disadvantaged groups.