WASHINGTON, September 26, 2007 -- Acting Secretary Chuck Conner today announced the selection of eight recipients in seven states to receive $1.2 million through the Small Minority Producer Grant program.

"The grants awarded today will help small, minority producers develop and market new products," Conner said. "USDA is providing technical assistance for projects ranging from renewable energy development to livestock production."

For example, Heritage Farm Cooperative in Auburn, Wash., will receive $150,000 for technical assistance to produce sunflower oil seeds and non-ester renewable fuel and animal feed. In Rapid City, S.D., the Inter Tribal Bison Cooperative will use a $175,000 technical assistance grant to help 57 tribes understand the dynamics and best practices in formulating improvement protocols in the bison industry.

Small Minority Producer Grants are provided to cooperatives or associations of cooperatives to assist small minority producers of 75 percent minority memberships and/or governing boards. Funding of individual recipients will be contingent upon their meeting the conditions of the grant agreement. The following is a complete list of recipients:

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. USDA Rural Development has invested more than $76.8 billion since 2001 for equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More than 1.5 million jobs have been created or saved through these investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.