Recent USDA news offers insight for managing ag business and farm operation energy use

The USDA is always working to improve agriculture in the U.S. and beyond. These efforts extend to helping small ag businesses expand and succeed. Read more about the latest developments and efforts from the USDA that aim to improve small businesses and ag business management below.

Reducing Ag Business Energy Use

Savings for small businesses make a big impact, especially when it comes to overhead like energy use. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced in July that the USDA is funding over 800 projects all over the country that help rural small businesses and ag producers reduce their energy usage. Funding was made possible through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Read more here.

Helping Rural Businesses Become Exporters

Many small and rural businesses are missing a large sector of potential customers: those outside U.S. borders. Business owners report feeling unprepared to go through the motions to export. To help rural small businesses overcome export hurdles, the White House Rural Council (WHRC) announced in mid-July that it is now offering a workshop series to assist those small ag businesses that would like to venture into international sales and take advantage of overseas markets. Find out more here.

Investing in Ag Business Management

Small business growth is a signal of prosperity and development, especially in areas where poverty is persistent. Knowing this, the USDA announced on July 15^th that it is investing over $9 Million across 12 states to support small businesses with an aim of creating jobs in rural and poverty-stricken counties. Read more here.

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