If the National Livestock Producers Association's Sheep & Goat Fund does not meet your needs, the following resources may offer some solutions:

National Sheep Industry Improvement Center -- The Sheep Center also offers small grants for the sheep and goat industries. Click here for more information.

Rural Information Center -- Provides a customized search of programs that fit individual needs. The entity seeking funds can contact them with their individual situation and they can help to identify what resources are available and what state or federal programs best meet their individual situation. They can be contacted by:

Telephone:  1-800-633-7701     M-F 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Eastern Time

Web site:  www.nal.usda.gov/ric/faqs/farmfaq.htm
 

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance -- This is a comprehensive resource guide to federal government programs. It can be obtained at many government offices or libraries.

Web site: www.cfda.gov

 

USDA, AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

Rural Business-Cooperative Services -- USDA administers several financial programs to help businesses succeed in rural areas. Contact your state or local USDA Rural Development and Farm Service Agency Offices listed in the telephone book, usually in the blue pages, under:   Department of Agriculture, Farm Services Agency, or Rural Development.

Web sites: 

www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/index.html

www.fsa.usda.gov/

 

EXAMPLES OF PROGRAMS WITHIN USDA:

B & I Guaranteed Loan Program -- The Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program guarantees loans made by authorized lenders for up to 90 percent of loss resulting from borrower default. The guaranteed loans are for rural areas of 50,000 people or less and can be used for working capital, machinery and equipment, buildings and real estate, and certain types of debt refinancing. The aggregate B&I guaranteed loan amount is a maximum of $25 million to any one borrower with a maximum maturity of seven years for working capital, 15 years for machinery and equipment, and 30 years for real estate.

B & I Direct Loan Program -- The Business and Industry Direct Loan Program provides loans to private parties, who cannot obtain credit elsewhere. The direct loans are for rural areas of 50,000 people or less and can be used for improving, developing, or financing business and industry, employment, and to improve the economic and environmental climate in rural communities. The maximum aggregate B&I guaranteed loan amount is $10 million to any one borrower with a maximum maturity of seven years for working capital, 15 years for machinery and equipment, and 30 years for real estate.

Rural Business Enterprise Grants -- Provides grants to public bodies, private nonprofit corporations, cooperatives, and federally recognized Indian Tribal Groups to facilitate development of small and emerging business enterprises in rural areas. Use of grant funds may include acquisition an ddevelopment of land and the constructions of buildings, plants, equipment, access roads, parking areas, and utility extensions; refinancing fees; technological assistance and training. Contact the local or state USDA, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.

Rural Business Opportunity Grant Program -- Provides grants to public bodies, private nonprofit corporations, cooperatives, and federally recognized Indian Tribal Groups for technical assistance, training, and planning activities to improve economic conditions in rural areas. The maximum amount is $1.5 million. Contact the local or state USDA, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.