Agricultural News
Money to DIversity Your Farm or Ranch Operation Available from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
Sun, 19 Dec 2010 21:31:29 CSTThe key to being successful in almost any agriculture operation is being able to diversify when necessary. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry has been helping producers to diversify their operations for more than a decade. Secretary of Agriculture, Terry Peach states that, “The AEDP loan and grant program has done some great things throughout the state. I encourage producers to think outside the box and take advantage of this program to diversify their operation.”
The Oklahoma Agriculture Enhancement and Diversification Program (AEDP) provides funds in the form of 0% interest loans or grants to producers to create rural economic development statewide. The AEDP Advisory Board meets quarterly to review and approve applications.
The Advisory Board recently held its quarterly meeting and approved several new projects. Some of these projects include utilizing Mason Bees for pollination of blueberries, establishing a Grade A goat dairy and processing facility and funding for the expansion of a fish hatchery to produce triploid grass carp.
Wes Harden, owner and operator of Sulphur Fish Hatchery has been in the aquaculture business for 22 years and is looking to diversify due to new regulations from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife and Conservation (ODWC). As of January 1, 2010 diploid grass carp, which Harden formerly sold, are illegal to sell in the state of Oklahoma. So Mr. Harden is modifying his operation and product to produce a triploid grass carp in order to meet the needs of his customers in Colorado, Texas and Kansas. Triploid grass carp are sterile and unable to reproduce whereas diploid grass carp are able to produce viable eggs. Harden hopes that the AEDP funds will allow him to diversify his operation and continue to meet the growing demand for his fish throughout Oklahoma and surrounding states.
The next deadline to apply for an AEDP grant is Monday, January 3, 2011. An applicant must provide 15 copies of their application to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry to be eligible for the quarterly review. For more detailed information regarding the application process please contact Jason Harvey at (405) 522-5563. Click here for more details about the loan and grant program as found on the ODAFF website.
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