U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Thursday that USDA is accepting grant applications to assist small, socially disadvantaged agricultural producers and cooperatives in rural areas. He says the funding represents the department’s continuing investment in provided the assistance small business owners need to improve their operations and create economic opportunity for their communities.

Approximately three-million dollars in grants are available through the USDA Rural Development Small, Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant Program in fiscal year 2012. The grants can be used for product improvements, business plan development or economic development activities. Applications are due July 24th. All of the application materials are available at www dot rurdev dot usda dot gov (www.rurdev.usda.gov) and USDA Rural Development State Offices.