We have a conversation with Colleen Landkamer, the USDA Rural Development State Director in Minnesota, about the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) program. Since 2009, the US Department of Agriculture has provided grant funding to local cooperatives and other organizations that provide technical assistance to socially disadvantaged groups in rural areas strongly affected by poverty. Examples of technical assistance may include leadership training, feasibility studies, and developing business and strategic plans.
The deadline for 2016 grants is coming up next month - August 1 for online submissions, and (postmarked by) August 5 for paper submissions.
More information can be found online, or by calling either the MN State Office of USDA Rural Development (651-602-7800), or the local office in your area (for northeastern Minnesota, the nearest office is in Virginia, MN (218-741-3929).