Workforce and Business Development

Federal investments in the seafood industry workforce and businesses fuel economic growth, strengthen coastal communities, and ensure the long-term sustainability of a vital national resource. By supporting training programs and modernizing business operations, these investments empower workers and help small businesses compete in an evolving global market and reduce reliance on imports.  

Programs, Grants and Loans

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)

AFRI Education and Workforce Development 
This program focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences. 

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
Provides grants to organizations for training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers and ranchers.  

Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program 
Helps qualified veterinarians offset a significant portion of the debt incurred from receiving their veterinary medicine degrees in return for their service in certain high-priority veterinary shortage situations.  

Veterinary Services Grant Program 
Supports education and extension activities and practice enhancement initiatives to help develop, implement, and sustain veterinary services and relieve veterinarian shortage situations in the U.S., which includes insular areas. 

USDA Rural Development (RD)

Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program
Provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to provide microloans, training, and technical assistance to borrowers and entrepreneurs.

Rural Business-Cooperative Services
RBCS offers financial assistance, technical support, and resources to help rural businesses expand, become more competitive, and promote community development. 

Agriculture Innovation Center Program
This program makes grants to agriculture innovation centers to help agricultural producers develop and market value-added agricultural products. 

Value Added Producer Grant
This program helps U.S. agricultural producers enter into value-added activities by supporting planning activities and working capital needs.

Rural Energy for America Program
The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. 

Intermediary Relending Program
This program provides low-interest loans to local lenders – “intermediaries” – who then relend to businesses to help improve economic conditions and create jobs in rural communities.

Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant
These loans and grants fund eligible projects using local utility organizations as intermediary lenders. 

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Farm Loan Programs Overview 
The Farm Service Agency offers loans to help farmers and ranchers get the financing they need to start, expand or maintain a family farm. 

Loan Assistance Tool 
This online tool helps producers better navigate the farm loan application process 

Farm Operating Loans 
Farm Operating Loans may be used for normal operating expenses, machinery and equipment, minor real estate repairs or improvements, and refinancing debt.    

Farm Ownership Loans 
Farm Ownership Loans may be used to purchase a farm, enlarge an existing farm, construct new farm buildings and/or improve structures, pay closing costs, and promote soil and water conservation and protection. 

Farm Storage Facility Loan Program 
Provides low-interest financing so producers can build or upgrade permanent and portable storage facilities and equipment.  

Microloan Programs 
Microloan Programs focus on the financing needs of small, beginning farmer, niche and non-traditional farm operations, such as truck farms, farms participating in direct marketing and sales such as farmers’ markets, CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture), restaurants and grocery stores, or those using hydroponic, aquaponic, organic and vertical growing methods.