Resource Directory

Rural Economic Development

RESOURCES AND GRANTS FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES

Whether youā€™re an individual, a business or a community organization, you can use the directory below to search a vast library of resources, tools and services. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), its economic development partners and other organizations around the state offer a range of resources on all aspects of economic well-being, from childcare and education to businesses and housing. Canā€™t find what youā€™re looking for? Reach out to us directly, we want to help.

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  • U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Energy, Sustainability, Technology

    Advanced Biofuel Payment Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This programā€™s goal is to increase the production of advanced biofuels.

  • Agriculture, Education & Schools, Energy, Health & Mental Health, Sustainability, Technology

    Agriculture and Food Research Initiative – Foundational and Applied Science Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program supports grants in six AFRI priority areas to advance knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture.

  • Agriculture, Education & Schools, Food & Beverage, Workforce

    Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants: Education and Workforce Development Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - EWD focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Agriculture Innovation Center Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Agriculture Innovation Center Program funds Agriculture Innovation Centers (Centers) that provide technical and business development assistance to Agricultural Producers.

  • Energy, Sustainability, Technology

    Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program provides loan guarantees up to $250 million to assist in the development, construction, and retrofitting of new and emerging technologies.

  • Broadband & Internet

    Broadband Technical Assistance

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    BTA provides financial assistance through cooperative agreements to eligible entities to receive or deliver broadband technical assistance and training and supports the development and expansion of broadband cooperatives.

  • Business

    Business & Industry Loan Guarantees in Wisconsin

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program provides loan guarantees to commercial lenders for loans to eligible rural businesses.

  • Agriculture, Sustainability, Technology

    CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Grants

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) are competitive grants that drive public and private sector innovation in resource conservation. On-Farm Trials supports more widespread adoption of innovative approaches, practices, and systems on working lands.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Emergency Haying and Grazing

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program contracts with agricultural producers so that environmentally sensitive agricultural land is not farmed or ranched, but instead used for conservation benefits.

  • Agriculture, Broadband & Internet

    Direct Farm Operating Microloans

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Direct Farm Ownership Microloans are meant to make a down payment on a farm; build, repair, or improve buildings; fund soil and water conservation projects; be used as a down payment farm ownership loan; and be used in joint financing.

  • Agriculture, Broadband & Internet

    Direct Farm Ownership Microloans

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Direct Farm Ownership Microloans are meant to make a down payment on a farm; build, repair, or improve buildings; fund soil and water conservation projects; be used as a down payment farm ownership loan; and be used in joint financing.

  • Broadband & Internet, Education & Schools, Energy, Technology

    Electric Infrastructure Loan & Loan Guarantee Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The electric program makes insured loans and loan guarantees to finance the construction of electric distribution, finance generation, and transmission facilities in rural areas.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    ELAP provides financial assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events or loss conditions.

  • Food & Beverage, Sustainability

    Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program helps eligible communities prepare, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) helps farmers and ranchers repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters and put in place methods for water conservation during severe drought.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) helps the owners of non-industrial private forests restore forest health damaged by natural disasters.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Emergency Loan Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    When a tornado, flood, or drought strikes, or a quarantine is imposed by the Secretary of Agriculture, or when other natural disasters occur, FSA's Emergency loan program is there to help eligible farmers and ranchers rebuild and recover from sustained losses.

  • Agriculture, Other

    Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP-Recovery) Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The EWP Program offers technical and financial assistance to help local communities relieve imminent threats to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms and other natural disasters that impair a watershed.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides technical and financial assistance to producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits.

  • Agriculture, Sustainability

    Equity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreements

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This opportunity is meant to expand conservation assistance to historically underserved producers and underserved communities and to provide opportunities for students to pursue careers in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Farm Loan Assistance Tool

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Check your eligibility for FSA loans, discover the various FSA loan products, learn about documentation requirements, and follow easy-to-understand instructions when completing the loan application forms.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Farm Loan Discovery Tool

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Find a USDA Farm Loan that might be right for you by answering a few short questions. Learn about your eligibility and find application guides to help you prepare for your USDA Service Center visit with a loan officer.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Farm Operating Loans

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    FSAā€™s Direct Farm Operating Loans are a valuable resource to start, maintain and strengthen a farm or ranch.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Farm Ownership Loans

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Farm Ownership Loans can be used to purchase or expand a farm or ranch.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Loans to producers to build or upgrade farm storage and handling facilities.

  • Agriculture, Business, Food & Beverage

    Farmers Market Promotion Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Farmers Market Promotion Program funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Federal Crop Insurance

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Promotes national welfare by improving economic stability of agriculture.

  • Agriculture, Food & Beverage

    Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program provides financial support to qualified lenders whose loan applicants want to start or expand middle of the food supply chain activities such as aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesale, or distribution of food.

  • Business, Economic Development, Energy, Sustainability, Technology, Transportation, Veterans, Workforce

    Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The purpose of the HBIIP is to increase significantly the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels derived from U.S. agricultural products.

  • Economic Development, Housing, Parks & Outdoor Recreation

    Housing Solutions in Rural Recreation Communities (Webinar)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This webinar, hosted by the EPA Office of Community Revitalization, USDA - Rural Development, and HUD, addresses housing in gateway communities.

  • Agriculture, Food & Beverage, Native Peoples

    Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program aims to expand or enhance animal protein processing capacity in Indian Country.

  • Business, Economic Development, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Workforce

    Intermediary Relending Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program provides 1 percent low-interest loans to local lenders or ā€œintermediariesā€ that re-lend to businesses to improve economic conditions and create jobs in rural communities.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) provides payments to eligible livestock owners and contract growers who have covered livestock and who are also producers of grazed forage crop acreage that have suffered a loss of grazed forage due to a qualifying drought during the normal grazing period for the county.

  • Agriculture, Business, Other

    Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    LIP provides benefits to livestock producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather or by attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Loan Deficiency Payments (LDPs)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Payments made to producers who, although eligible to obtain a CCC loan, agree to forgo the loan in return for a payment on the eligible commodity.

  • Agriculture, Business, Food & Beverage

    Local Food Promotion Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Local Food Promotion Program funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer marketing to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.

  • Agriculture, Business, Food & Beverage

    Local Meat Capacity Grant

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program supports independently owned meat and poultry processing businesses with funds to provide more and better processing options for local livestock producers.

  • Housing

    Multifamily Housing Loan Guarantees

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Provides financing to qualified borrowers to increase the supply of affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families in eligible rural areas and towns.

  • Housing

    Multifamily Housing Programs Hub Page

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Multifamily Housing assists rural property owners through loans, loan guarantees, and grants that enable owners to develop and rehabilitate properties for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals and families as well as domestic farm laborers.

  • Agriculture, Housing

    Multifamily Housing Rental Assistance Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program provides payments to owners of USDA-financed Rural Rental Housing or Farm Labor Housing projects on behalf of low-income tenants unable to pay their full rent.

  • Housing

    Multifamily Tenant Voucher

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program provides vouchers to protect eligible tenants in Multifamily Direct Loan properties who may face hardship when the loan on the property is prepaid, or the property is foreclosed.

  • Housing

    Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Grant recipients supervise groups of very low- and low-income individuals and families as they construct their own homes in rural areas.

  • Agriculture, Health & Mental Health

    National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The NDPRP allows APHIS to collaborate with animal health partners throughout the nation to implement high-value projects that enhance prevention, preparedness, detection, and response to the most damaging emerging and foreign animal diseases that threaten U.S. agriculture.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Non-Recourse Marketing Assistance Loans (MALs)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Marketing assistance loans (MALs) are marketing tools available during harvest or shearing.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    NAP provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters.

  • Agriculture, Forestry & Paper, Veterans

    Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Popularly referred to as the 2501 Program, this program ensures underserved and veteran farmers, ranchers, and foresters get needed resources to support a successful farming operation and increase profits.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Recourse Marketing Assistance Loans (MALs)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Recourse loans are Marketing Assistance Loans for which the commodity offered as collateral does not meet the quality eligibility requirements according to U.S. grading standards.

  • Agriculture, Economic Development, Food & Beverage

    Regional Food System Partnerships

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The RFSP program's purpose is to support partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local and regional food systems.

  • Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Broadband & Internet, Business, Economic Development, Energy, Housing, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Sustainability, Technology, Veterans, Workforce

    Resource Guide for Rural Entrepreneurs

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This multimedia guide provides resources for start-ups and already-established rural businesses.

  • Business, Economic Development, Education & Schools, Technology, Transportation, Workforce

    Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses.

  • Business

    Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    USDAā€™s Rural Business-Cooperative Service offers programs to help businesses grow as well as job training for people living in rural areas.

  • Economic Development, Housing, Other

    Rural Community Development Initiative Grants

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    RCDI grants are awarded to help non-profit housing and community development organizations, low-income rural communities and federally recognized tribes support housing, community facilities and community and economic development projects in rural areas.

  • Business

    Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Rural Cooperative Development Grant program improves the economic condition of rural areas by helping individuals and businesses start, expand or improve rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses through Cooperative Development Centers

  • Economic Development, Other

    Rural Data Gateway

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Rural Data Gateway strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making RDā€™s data more available and easier to access.

  • Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Business, Economic Development, Parks & Outdoor Recreation

    Rural Development: Key Priorities

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Priority Points, also referred to as discretionary points, are additional points added to an established scoring criterion that USDA Rural Development uses to help determine which projects qualify for funding. Awarding extra points (i.e. priority points) raises a projectā€™s score, which in turn improves the chances of a project being scored high enough to warrant a funding award. The flexibility related to these kinds of points varies, depending on regulations language.

  • Business, Economic Development, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Workforce

    Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations.

  • Energy, Sustainability

    Rural Energy for America Program (REAP): Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program assists rural small businesses and agricultural producers by conducting and promoting energy audits and providing Renewable Energy Development Assistance (REDA).

  • Agriculture, Energy, Sustainability

    Rural Energy for America Program (REAP): Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

  • Energy

    Rural Energy Savings Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) provides loans to rural utilities and other companies who provide energy efficiency loans to qualified consumers to implement durable cost-effective energy efficiency measures.

  • Housing

    Rural Housing Preservation Grant

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Provides grants to sponsoring organizations for the repair or rehabilitation of housing owned or occupied by low- and very-low-income rural citizens.

  • Economic Development, Housing

    Rural Housing Site Loans

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Rural Housing site loans provide two types of loans to purchase and develop housing sites for low- and moderate-income families.

  • Business, Economic Development, Workforce

    Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grants

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grant Program offers grant assistance to create and augment high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, support industry clusters and maximize the use of local productive assets in eligible low-income rural areas.

  • Economic Development, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Workforce

    Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to 1) help microenterprise startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund and 2) provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

  • Arts & Culture, Broadband & Internet, Economic Development, Housing, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Transportation

    Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge provides cooperative agreement funds to help provide planning support, technical assistance, and training to foster placemaking activities in rural communities.

  • Housing

    Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Also known as the Section 502 Direct Loan Program, this program assists low- and very-low-income applicants obtain decent, safe and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas by providing payment assistance to increase an applicantā€™s repayment ability.

  • Housing

    Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, it provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve, or modernize their homes, or provides grants to elderly, very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.

  • Housing, Other

    Single Family Housing Rural Disaster Home Repair Grants

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program provides grants to very-low and low-income homeowners to repair homes damaged in a Calendar Year (CY) Presidentially Declared Disaster Area.

  • Business, Native Peoples, Other

    Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant in Wisconsin

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program is to provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups through cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers.

  • Other

    Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects.

  • Agriculture, Education & Schools, Food & Beverage, Health & Mental Health, Workforce

    Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (National Workforce Strategy Development)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The National WIC Workforce Strategy aims to strengthen the diversity and cultural competency of the WIC workforce, with the goals of increasing WIC participation through reaching those populations that are eligible, but not enrolled and increasing WIC participantsā€™ likelihood of adoption nutrition education and breastfeeding support.

  • Broadband & Internet, Business, Economic Development, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Workforce

    Stronger Together-Joint Planning Resource Guide

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Federal funding and planning strategies designed to promote sustainable economic development in rural America

  • Agriculture, Business

    Sugar Storage Facility Loan (SSFL) Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Loans to processors of domestically produced sugarcane and sugar beets for the construction or upgrading of storage and handling facilities for raw sugars and refined sugars.

  • Food & Beverage, Technology

    Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer Modernization Technical Assistance Center (SEMTAC)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This grant announcement most directly supports SNAP by building the capacity to support the expansion of online SNAP purchasing nationwide, the mobile payments pilot, and any other modernization efforts that may develop.

  • Broadband & Internet, Business

    Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans & Loan Guarantees

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The loan and loan guarantee program offers financial assistance to eligible service providers that will construct, improve, or expand telecommunication and broadband networks in rural areas.

  • Agriculture, Business, Economic Development, Health & Mental Health, Sustainability, Workforce

    The BioPreferred Program: Voluntary Labeling Initiative

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The BioPreferred Program allows businesses to apply for a certification, which lets allows them to display the USDA Certified Biobased Product label on the product.

  • Agriculture, Food & Beverage

    The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The GusNIP Nutrition Incentive Program supports and evaluates projects intended to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by providing incentives at the point of purchase among income eligible consumers.

  • Agriculture, Business

    The Score Mentorship Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Get the guidance and support you need to start or grow your farm, ranch or other form of agribusiness.

  • Agriculture, Start-Up & Entrepreneur, Sustainability, Veterans

    Transition Incentives Program (TIP)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Transition Incentives Program provides land owners or operators with two additional annual rental payments on land enrolled in expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts, on the condition they sell or rent this land to a beginning farmer or rancher or to a socially disadvantaged group.

  • Agriculture, Forestry & Paper, Other

    Tree Assistance Program (TAP)

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes and vines damaged by natural disasters.

  • Agriculture, Food & Beverage, Native Peoples

    Tribal Scholars Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program seeks to increase the number of American Indian and Alaska Native students studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and related disciplines.

  • Child Care, Economic Development, Education & Schools, Food & Beverage, Health & Mental Health, Other

    USDA Community Facilities Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Community Facilities Programs offer direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America. These amenities help increase the competitiveness of rural communities in attracting and retaining businesses that provide employment and services for their residents.

  • Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Broadband & Internet, Child Care, Economic Development, Housing, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Workforce

    USDA Funding Eligibility Map

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    USDA's mapping tool that allows the user to determine if their project is in an eligible area for funding.

  • Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Business, Child Care, Economic Development, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Workforce

    USDA Resource Guides

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    List of resource guides from USDA

  • Agriculture, Business, Economic Development, Energy, Food & Beverage

    USDA Rural Development Business Programs

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    USDA's Business Programs provide financial backing and technical assistance to stimulate business creation and growth.

  • Broadband & Internet

    USDA Rural Development Community Connect Grants

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Community Connect provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide broadband service in rural, economically-challenged communities where service does not exist.

  • Broadband & Internet

    USDA Rural Development Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program helps rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density.

  • Agriculture, Energy, Sustainability

    USDA Rural Development Energy Programs

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Funding to complete energy audits, provide renewable energy development assistance, make energy efficiency improvements and install renewable energy systems.

  • Broadband & Internet

    USDA Rural Development ReConnect Loan and Grant Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The 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. The application window is now closed. Follow one of the links below to learn more about the program.

  • Housing

    USDA Rural Development Single Family Housing Programs

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Rural Developmentā€™s Single Family Housing Programs give families and individuals the opportunity to buy, build, or repair affordable homes located in rural America.

  • Economic Development, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Sustainability

    USDA Rural Development Water and Environmental Programs

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    Through Rural Utilities Service Water and Environmental Programs (WEP), rural communities obtain the technical assistance and financing necessary to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems. Safe drinking water and sanitary waste disposal systems are vital not only to public health, but also to the economic vitality of rural America. Rural Development is a leader in helping rural America improve the quality of life and increase the economic opportunities for rural people.

  • Economic Development, Native Peoples, Other

    USDA Rural Development’s Tribal Relations Page

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Rural Development Tribal Relations webpage is created by its Tribal Relations team, which helps ensure relevant programs and policies are efficient, easy to understand, accessible, and developed in consultation with the American Indians and Alaska Native constituents they impact.

  • Economic Development, Workforce

    USDA Rural Workforce Guide

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This guide was created for community leaders and other local entities to help them access resources to create jobs, train talent, expand educational opportunities and provide technical assistance .

  • Agriculture, Food & Beverage

    Value-Added Producer Grants

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income.

  • Other

    Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.

  • Other

    Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This program helps eligible low-income communities plan and develop applications for proposed USDA Rural Development water or waste disposal projects.

  • Agriculture, Business, Education & Schools, Food & Beverage, Start-Up & Entrepreneur

    WI Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Grants

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    SARE offers competitive grants to fund research and education projects that advance sustainable agricultural practices in the United States.

  • Agriculture, Other

    Your Guide to Farm Service Agency Farm Loans

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    This guide was written for people who need assistance starting, expanding, or owning a farm or ranch.

  • Agriculture, Business

    Youth Loan Program

    U.S. Department of Agriculture

    FSA makes loans to individual young persons to start and operate income-producing projects of modest size in connection with their participation in 4-H clubs, FFA, a Tribal youth group, or similar agricultural youth organization.