Federal Farm Grants for Almond Farmers
Almond farmers can supplement their resources with federally funded farmer grants. Creating a patchwork quilt of different projects that qualify for funding allows for maximum assistance. Utilization of Web resources to create viable business plans and alternative use plans will increase chances of funding as well. Farmers may qualify for grants for projects ranging from rural house preservation and labor housing to educational partnerships with local schools.
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Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Grants
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Almond farmers are eligible for grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Grants are provided for projects such as on-farm renewable energy, weed and pest control, conservation tilling, marketing, crop and livestock diversity and crop rotation. SARE producer grants are provided to farmers for research, marketing and education projects. SARE professional development grants "focus on training agricultural professionals to help them spread knowledge about sustainable agriculture concepts and practices." SARE professional and producer grants allow farmers to bring in outside expertise to improve the farm and business aspects of production.
The Center for the Micro Eco-Farming Movement
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The Center for the Micro Eco-Farming Movement has information to help farmers obtain grants and loans. Its website offers samples of successful farming business plans and also provides aids to finding farmland and information about supplementing farming programs to invite alternative funding sources. The site gives information about adding functions of agritourism, chef's schools, home schooling partnerships and sustainable certification to farms to add funding opportunities. It also has a page of grant and loan resources for farmers. Information from this site is useful for preparation of federal grant applications and provides inspiration for alternative funding angles when trying to procure federal farm funding.
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Rural Development Program and National Sustainable Agricultural Information Center
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The USDA's Rural Development Program offers direct or guaranteed loans, grants, technical assistance, research and educational materials to rural farmers. Business, utilities and housing grants are provided to farmers to assist with business issues, labor housing, preservation or renovation of rural houses and waste and water management. Its "Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grant" gives grants to farmers who come from socially-disadvantaged groups. Its "Value-Added Producer Grants" helps producers maximize their potentials. The USDA's National Sustainable Agricultural Information Center is a good place to look for new agricultural grant programs available to almond farmers. The website is a clearinghouse of information for topics such as beginning farmers, organic farmers, energy alternatives and marketing, business and risk management. When grants in these areas are available, they are announced on this site.
The Small Business Administration Grants
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The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers grants and loans to farmers. Grants offered through the SBA include the "Export Credit Guarantee Program," the "Facility Guarantee Program," the "Conservation Security Program," and the "Farmers Market Promotion Program." The SBA also offers loans to farmers with many programs such as the "Beginning Farms and Ranchers Program," "Commodity and Marketing Assistance Loans," "Emergency Farm Loans" and "Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Loans."
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