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The USDA will receive a total of $28 billion from the Recovery Act. This money will go toward crucial investments in:
Additional details regarding the USDA's plans can be found by clicking here or by visiting www.usda.gov/recovery.
USDA Programs Receiving Funding Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program: $2.5 billion
Type of funding: Competitive Loans
Type of funding: Competitive Grants
Type of funding: Agency Plans
Type of funding: Agency Plans
Description: "Section 382 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Public Law 104-127, amended the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP) to provide for the purchase of floodplain easements as an emergency measure. Since 1996, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has purchased floodplain easements on lands that qualify for EWPP assistance. Floodplain easements restore, protect, maintain, and enhance the functions of the floodplain; conserve natural values including fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, flood water retention, ground water recharge, and open space; reduce long-term federal disaster assistance; and safeguard lives and property from floods, drought, and the products of erosion." (from Emergency Watershed Protection - Floodplain Easement) Type of funding: Competition
Description: The WIC Program:
How to apply: For more information on how to apply for WIC, visit http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic/ or http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/howtoapply/default.htm.
Description: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) "helps low-income people and families buy the food they need for good health. Benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM card and accepted at most grocery stores. Through nutrition education partners, SNAP helps clients learn to make healthy eating and active lifestyle choices." This money will flow directly to states, and will be allocated based on the need level in the state. Type of funding: Demand How to apply: For more information on how to apply for SNAP in Minnesota, click here.
Description: The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) will receive $100 million to purchase commodities for food banks to refill emptying shelves and $50 million to assist with administrative functions. "Under TEFAP, commodity foods are made available by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to States. States provide the food to local agencies that they have selected, usually food banks, which in turn, distributes the food to soup kitchens and food pantries that directly serve the public. Each State sets criteria for determining what households are eligible to receive food for home consumption. Income standards may, at the State's discretion, be met through participation in other existing Federal, State, or local food, health, or welfare programs for which eligibility is based on income." (from About TEFAP) Type of funding: Formula How to apply: For more information The Emergency Food Assistance Program visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/programs/tefap.
Description: "The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946." (from National School Lunch Program) Funds will be allocated based on each State's school meals administrative expense allocation and local SFAs may then competitively apply for NSLP equipment assistance grants. As stipulated in the ARRA, priority will be given to SFAs for equipment for schools in which at least 50 percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals. Type of funding: Competitive Grants How to apply: Click here for more information about funding guidelines.
Description: The Housing and Community Facilities Programs makes direct loans to nonprofit and public entities for the construction of essential facilities. Most loans are made at below-market interest rates and are aimed at serving financially challenged rural areas. Allowed expenses include purchase of land needed for construction of the facility, necessary professional fees, and equipment and operating costs. For more information about this program, click here. Type of Funding: Competitive Loans How to apply: Contact the Cambridge Field Service Center at 763-689-3354 for questions on eligibility for this program.
Description: The Community Facilities Grant Program is typically used to fund projects under special initiatives, such as Native American community development efforts; child care centers linked with the Federal government's Welfare-to-Work initiative; Federally-designated Enterprise and Champion Communities, and the Northwest Economic Adjustment Initiative area. In most cases, grantees are able to leverage Community Facility funds with private and state dollars to enable completion of more construction than might have otherwise been possible. For more information about this program, click here. Type of funding: Competitive Grants How to apply: Contact the Cambridge Field Service Center at 763-689-3354 for questions on eligibility for this program.
Description: "Rural Housing Direct Loans are loans that are directly funded by the Government. These loans are available for low- and very low-income households to obtain homeownership. Applicants may obtain 100% financing to purchase an existing dwelling, purchase a site and construct a dwelling, or purchase newly constructed dwellings located in rural areas. Mortgage payments are based on the household's adjusted income. These loans are commonly referred to as Section 502 Direct Loans. Purpose: Section 502 loans are primarily used to help low-income individuals or households purchase homes in rural areas. Funds can be used to build, repair, renovate or relocate a home, or to purchase and prepare sites, including providing water and sewage facilities. Eligibility: Applicants for direct loans from HCFP must have very low or low incomes. Very low income is defined as below 50 percent of the area median income (AMI); low income is between 50 and 80 percent of AMI; moderate income is 80 to 100 percent of AMI. Click here to review area income limits for this program. Families must be without adequate housing, but be able to afford the mortgage payments, including taxes and insurance, which are typically within 22 to 26 percent of an applicant's income. However, payment subsidy is available to applicants to enhance repayment ability. Applicants must be unable to obtain credit elsewhere, yet have reasonable credit histories. . Terms: Loans are for up to 33 years (38 for those with incomes below 60 percent of AMI and who cannot afford 33-year terms). The term is 30 years for manufactured homes. The promissory note interest rate is set by HCFP based on the Government's cost of money. However, that interest rate is modified by payment assistance subsidy." (from Rural Housing Direct Loans) Type of funding: Competitive Grants How to apply: These loans are approved by USDA Rural Development officials 30 days after submission. Contact the Cambridge Field Service Center at 763-689-3354 for questions on eligibility for this program.
Description: "Section 502 loans are primarily used to help low-income individuals or households purchase homes in rural areas. Funds can be used to build, repair, renovate or relocate a home, or to purchase and prepare sites, including providing water and sewage facilities. Eligibility: Applicants for loans may have an income of up to 115% of the median income for the area. Area income limits for this program are here. Families must be without adequate housing, but be able to afford the mortgage payments, including taxes and insurance. In addition, applicants must have reasonable credit histories. Approved lenders under the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan program include:
Terms: Loans are for 30 years. The promissory note interest rate is set by the lender. There is no required down payment. The lender must also determine repayment feasibility, using ratios of repayment (gross) income to PITI and to total family debt." (from Rural Housing Guaranteed Loan) Type of funding: Competitive Loans How to apply: These loans are approved by USDA Rural Development officials. Contact the Cambridge Field Service Center at 763-689-3354 for questions on eligibility for this program.
Description: The purpose of the B&I Guaranteed Loan Program is to improve, develop, or finance business, industry, and employment and improve the economic and environmental climate in rural communities. This purpose is achieved by bolstering the existing private credit structure through the guarantee of quality loans which will provide lasting community benefits. It is not intended that the guarantee authority will be used for marginal or substandard loans or for relief of lenders having such loans. Type of funding: Competitive Loans How to apply: Visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/busp/b&i_gar.htm for more information about this program. Contact the Cambridge Field Service Center at 763-689-3354 for questions on eligibility for this program.
Description: The RBEG program provides grants for rural projects that finance and facilitate development of small and emerging rural businesses help fund distance learning networks, and help fund employment related adult education programs. To assist with business development, RBEGs may fund a broad array of activities. Type of funding: Competitive Grants How to apply: Contact the Cambridge Field Service Center at 763-689-3354 for questions on eligibility for this program and for information on how to apply.
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St. Paul Office • 165 Western Ave North • Suite 17 • St. Paul, MN 55102 • phone: (651) 224-9191 • fax: (651) 224-3056 • view google map
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