Research and Development Grants for Rural Businesses

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack yesterday announced that 76 small businesses around the country will receive $7.4 million in grants to conduct research related to food security, natural resources, and agricultural issues. The grants are made through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Secretary Vilsack says

Vilsack: "This program is administered by our national Institute of Food and Agriculture and it is part of an administration wide effort to assist small business innovation and research. Since 1983 over 2,000 awards have been made under the SBIR program. The $7.4 million that we are announcing of USDA resources will assist 76 business throughout the United States. A couple of businesses that highlight the type of opportunities that are being promoted by this program at USDA. The Unmanned Experts from Colorado is creating a management system that will allow for multiple drones to be utilized that could potentially assist and help in increasing agricultural productivity. Foundation Instruments is working on a mobile drinking water lab that will assist and help us to better analyze water quality."

The SBIR program is also currently accepting Phase I grant applications for the next round of funding until Oct. 6.

Of the 76 rural businesses receiving grants, one was located in Oregon, two in Idaho and five in Colorado.