Grant and Loan Opportunities
Here are links to Web sites with more information about grant and loan opportunities for dairy producers in Pennsylvania.
Grants:
The First Industries Fund is a grant and loan program aimed at strengthening Pennsylvania's agriculture and tourism industries that is part of PAgrows, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's initiative designed to assist agricultural producers in gaining access to the capital they need to begin, continue, or expand their businesses.
Agricultural Product Promotion Matching Grant
PDA awards matching grants to non-profit agricultural promotion and marketing organizations for exciting and innovative projects.
Energy Harvest Grant
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection offers a grant to help fund projects that promote and build markets for advanced or renewable energy technologies. The intent of this program is to provide a stimulus for opportunities that better manage our energy resources in a way that also improves our environment, supports economic development and enhances our quality of life.
Farm Safety and Occupational Grant
The Pennsylvania Farm Safety and Occupational Health Act provides grants and tuition reimbursements for the establishment and implementation of farm safety and occupational health programs.
Land Trust Reimbursement Program
This program will reimburse qualified land trusts up to $5,000.00 for expenses incurred in the acquisition of agricultural conservation easements.
Grants of up to $3,500 are available to dairy farm operations to establish a Dairy Profit Team, Target Profit Team or Succession Planning Team. The grant covers the cost of paid team members and discovery-related expenses.
Small Business Advantage Grant
This grant offers a 50 percent match of up to $7,500 for equipment or processes that reduce energy consumer or promote pollution prevention by at least 15 percent.
USDA Rural Development
Value-Added Agricultural Producer Grants are available to independent producers processing their raw products into marketable goods to increase farm incomes.
Loans:
Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund
The MELF program offers low-interest loan financing to acquire and install new or used machinery and equipment or to upgrade existing machinery and equipment .
Next Generation Farmer Loan Program
The purpose of the program is to assist beginning and first time farmers to purchase land, farm equipment, farm buildings and breeding livestock.
Pollution Prevention Assistance Account Loan Program
The Small Business Pollution Prevention Assistance Account (PPAA) Loan Program provides low-interest loans to small businesses undertaking projects that reduce waste, pollution or energy use. Loans can be used to fund up to 75 percent of total eligible cost, up to $100,000.
This program offers funding for small businesses, including: low-interest loans for land and building acquisition and construction; machinery and equipment purchases and working capital.
Tools:
Grants.gov is a source to find and apply for federal government grants. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is the managing partner for Grants.gov, an initiative that is having an unparalleled impact on the grant community.
The Governor’s Resource Guide to Community and Economic Development
The Governor's Resource Guide provides one consolidated resource for local, state, federal and private sector tools for sustainable development.
Information on PAgrows, the PA Department of Agriculture initiative designed to assist agricultural producers in gaining access to the capital they need to begin, continue, or expand their businesses.
The Workforce Development website is designed to help you find the resources you need to work and do business in Pennsylvania.
Resources:
Appalachian Region Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia, including Pennsylvania, to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life.
Offering protection in case of a disaster, you can transfer some of the risk to crop insurance in exchange for a manageable premium that can be a part of your operating budget.
Department of Environmental Protection SBDC EMAP
Through the Small Business Development Center's Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP), DEP offers assistance to small businesses in preparing applications for grants and loans. They offer free technical assistance in preparing permit applications and to small businesses looking to become more energy efficient.
National Resource Conservation Services
The NRCS's natural resources conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters. Funding is available to assist with these efforts.