Deadline nears for grant, loan applications

The grant and loan application deadline for the next Oklahoma Agricultural Enhancement and Diversification program is July 1. State agriculture officials are urging all producers with innovative ideas to apply.
Agricultural diversification grants of up to $5,000 are available as well as interest-free loans in three categories: Cooperative Marketing Loans, Marketing and Utilization Loans and Basic and Applied Research Loans.
Loans may not be used to purchase land, buildings or equipment. Eligible expenses include feasibility studies, business plans, legal expenses, consultant fees, product development and marketing.
Producers interested in either diversifying their operations or entering some form of value-added or marketing venture are eligible. Producers or producer groups interested in pursuing forms of value-added enterprises or marketing cooperatives also are urged to apply.
Among other things, OAED loans and grants have been used in the development of a variety of agritourism ventures, biofuel projects and food processing businesses.
Applications are available online from the ODAFF at www.oda.state.ok.us by clicking the “Loans” link. For more information call Jason Harvey, 522-5563. The mailing address is Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, 2800 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, 73105.