Renewable Energy and Efficiency Loan and Grant Meeting

Linda Tims with Rural Development talks to the audience about loans and grants available for Renewable Energy projects.

Landownersfrom LeFlore, Haskell and Latimer County and Talihina counties attended the meeting for poultry producers and small businesses recently held in Poteau.

The LeFlore, Haskell and Latimer Counties, along with the Talihina Conservation District hosted a meeting for poultry producers and small businesses on August 20, 2008, at the Choctaw Family Investment Center in the Poteau Industrial Park.

According to NRCS District Conservationist Kenneth Risenhoover, topics were designed to cover the basics for applying for a renewable energy grant, livestock related insurance and loans, and Farm Bill cost share programs for poultry operations and small businesses.

The topics presented included Rural Development (RD) Loans and Grants for Renewable Energy by Linda Tims and Jody Harris, RD; Farm Service Agency (FSA) Loans and Programs by Monte Anderson and Diane Crane, FSA; and USDA Farm Bill Conservation Programs by Risenhoover. Brian Freking, OSU Extension Service, served as moderator for the meeting.

The meeting focused on helping poultry producers and small businesses become acquainted with RD, FSA, NRCS, and OSU Extension programs that affect the every day operations of their farms by providing information about grants, loans, insurance and cost share programs. Those sponsoring the meeting were FSA, OSU Extension Service, NRCS, RD, and OK Farms.