| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Love-in-a-Mist |
Posted - Feb 18 2007 : 6:36:14 PM
My mother-in-law just heard that you can get a grant for making Farmer's Market type stuff if it promotes your states agriculture. For example we grow hazelnuts and could get a grant to build an inspected kitchen if we made hazelnut products to sell. That's just one of our ideas. We really want an inspected kitchen though and this could be a way to pay for it. I know alot of you are wanting the same thing. Maybe you could do this too.
Farmgirl and mother of 2
 |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| momtoeight |
Posted - Apr 23 2007 : 08:13:38 AM
The USDA grants apply to more than just agriculture. But you have to be able to demonstrate that your business plan will have a positive impact on rural development - the more you can show this, the better chance you have. In other words, if your business not only helps your community by having one more business there, but if your business provides a needed service which will impact OTHER communities, or which will make it easier for other businesses to succeed as well, then you have a much better likelihood of getting the grant. A friend is developing an appliance for small manufacturers. They got the grant because it will impact more than their business. This is their second grant, the first was to explore commercial growing of a specific herb which is hard to cultivate. Again, something that had implications beyond their own business.
The USDA also expects you to validate your expertise, and to develop a "team" to work with - to provide experienced counseling for you. This according to the USDA rep in our area.
The Wyoming Phase 0 grant is actually a prep grant for the USDA Phase 1 Rural Development Grant. In order to get the RD grant, you have to really do your homework - full business plan, marketing research, expert opinions on your side, etc. The Phase 0 grant helps with all that. Some other states may have a similar program to help you prepare a USDA grant.
We chose not to do it that way, for a number of rather complex reasons. First, it is a LOT of work for a maybe. I actually think our concept would have a VERY good chance of getting a grant, but if I go that route, I may end up blocking myself. How do you find experts when doing something that nobody is an expert on? How do you indicate success potentials when they want market research which does not show the potentials for something nobody has done, or thinks CAN be done? The local market research grant which provides a certain amount of research is useless, because their statistical data does not BEGIN to address the market we are reaching. They cannot even guess at our ability to compete, because there is no other company who is doing what we do - they just lump everyone together into a broad category and tell us our service is not needed, even though it IS, and demonstrably so if you really know the markets.
Also, when you finance your business with government assistance, you have to meet their requirements for validation. They don't just hand you the money and walk away. They expect you to prove how you used it, and what the results were, and that you exercised due diligence in making your business plan work. I don't at all feel this is unreasonable - any time you want help from someone else, there is going to be a price attached.
About the time we were looking at this though, some other avenues opened for us, where we could just build gradually and do it another way. Fewer maybes.
Gotta run, big day. It is a complex topic anyway, and one to really research through legit sources before you make up your mind either way.
Laura
Firelight Web Studio - http://www.firelightwebstudio.com - Small Business Website Services with a Difference - Personal, Flexible, and Friendly |
| Libbie |
Posted - Apr 23 2007 : 07:38:56 AM
The USDA has a rural development program, too, that may be of interest to some of you farmgirls. Here's a link to more information: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ .
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
| Tracey |
Posted - Apr 22 2007 : 5:49:11 PM
This is an interesting topic, and I tried searching a while back with little luck. However, a friend of mine did receive a grant that goes to women in business. She's a market gardener and wants to grow for the local school district. She applied and was given enough to get a greenhouse. Said it was really hard writing the grant, but for her, it paid off!
Visit Quiet Storm, our adopted Mustang! http://wildaboutquietstorm.com
http://carpentercreek.blogspot.com http://mustangdiaries.blogspot.com http://marbletownangels.blogspot.com
|
| kydeere40744 |
Posted - Apr 14 2007 : 9:18:21 PM
In Kentucky, we have a Phase 1 Cost-share Program that assists current or former tobacco farmers with several project areas. One of them is Diversification and it assists with Certified/Commericial Kitchens.
For other states, check with either the following
-State Department of Agriculture
-Local Cooperative Extension Office
-Local Conservation District
Ask about grants or cost-share...don't be surprised that they won't fund 100%, but perhaps 50% of the costs. Even if they don't provide grants, be sure to ask for resources to help with your business.
Good luck!
Jessica~Miss Wilma's Niece
Take a look at my country living photography & more at http://www.kyphotography.com
|
| momtoeight |
Posted - Mar 27 2007 : 9:55:12 PM
Check with your state small business development entities, and check with your local university if you want legit info. They often collaborate with the SBA (where rural business development grants come from). Some states have "pre-grant" grants. In other words, a smaller grant to help you assemble the consulting you need to write a good grant to actually do what you want to do. Those programs may have assistance with reviewing it and offering suggestions.
SBA backed grants are more likely to be awarded if you have a team of experts to consult with. Also, if you can demonstrate benefit to more than just yourself (for example, our business does not just provide our family with income, it provides a needed service to an under-served market, and teaches other people how to profit in this market, where most professionals feel they cannot serve and be profitable, and it is of great benefit to rural communities). The more benefit you can show outside yourself, the better.
Laura
Firelight Web Studio - http://www.firelightwebstudio.com - Small Business Website Services with a Difference - Personal, Flexible, and Friendly |
| Norskema |
Posted - Mar 12 2007 : 7:48:47 PM
Just a note on writing your grant proposal. The less of a purely emotional appeal you make, the more likely the reviewer is to read all the way to the end. (My job is doing initial review of grant inquiries.) While you will need to make an effective argument for your project/plan, you need to have some data to back it up. Read the grant guidelines carefully when you apply and comply with the requirements.
There are many books written on the subject of grantwriting as though it is a sport because it is very competitive. They are sometimes filled with a lot of hype. Don't hire some grantwriting company either. We have an outfit that sends us very poorly written requests for their clients and it makes us cringe because we know someone had to pay for something they could have probably done themselves. Have others read it and make recommendations but you will probably do pretty well on your own too. So, if you write a grant and get turned down, don't take it personally - just try again. Sometimes you can get some feedback about why you didn't qualify which is helpful for the next try. I agree with Laura that you need to be careful what you do here. It's easy to get excited and that's the motivator. Now, do the research and find out what you need to do to make it happen. I hope we hear of some Farmgirls who find some funding sources. yippee
Norskema
Candace
Every way of a man seems right to himself but the Lord is the tester of hearts. Proverbs 21:2 |
| momtoeight |
Posted - Feb 28 2007 : 7:46:13 PM
Be careful with government grant issues. According to the SBA spokesperson out here, "It is almost impossible to get a grant to establish a for-profit venture". She said there are a few exceptions, but not many.
Books that promise to teach you how to get one are invariably scams. I'm saying this from 8 years of experience in reviewing and reporting that type of scam. If you want a listing, then go through your state, and through federal listings (available free on those websites), do NOT buy a book. Buy Grant Writing for Dummies if you need help.
If the SBA or other local business startup entities have turned you down, then you are not eligible. Because government business grants are distributed through those entities (what few there are). Loans are actually more available than grants.
Check with your local college or university, and see if they have a business startup department. Many do, and they can help you plug into resources. They won't overlook any possibilities for grants, loans, or for tapping into venture capital. Many have grants available for such things as Market Research, Business Plan or Proposal writing, or Engineering Grants for Product Development - all things that can contribute to a stable business. But most are for specific purposes, not just starting a business in general. And they do expect you to have a good plan, good credit, and a solid product that is marketable according to THEIR judgment, not yours.
Laura
Mom to Eight
Firelight Web Studio - http://www.firelightwebstudio.com - Small Business Website Services with a Difference - Personal, Flexible, and Friendly |
| goneriding |
Posted - Feb 27 2007 : 5:20:14 PM
Silly question but how do you know which agency and the # for the grant?? My daughter wants to do some things and she applied but was turned down. Which way do you go?? If you could let me know how to find the correct agency or which website I could check for her, I'd appreciate it. My daughter loves to cook plus she also, believe this or not, likes welding. I think it could be really handy when I need some fences built!!
Happy Trails :-)
Don't sweat the small stuff...
http://goneridingagain.bravehost.com |
| herbquilter |
Posted - Feb 19 2007 : 3:35:51 PM
Shannon
That sounds like a great idea! I just spent all day sat & sun at a government grant classes. Wow...it's is very possible, but you have to know how to what to ask for & how to present it.
If you know what agency & the program # for the grant, I would ask for an brochure, application form, procedures & waiver. Then read the brochure & make sure all the that you understand all of the language. If not call for carification.
Good luck, it sounds like you're on your way!
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
|
|
|
