The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided $1.8 million in grants to ISCA Technologies, a California-based biotech company. These funds will help develop eight more advanced and environmentally-friendly methods to control pests and improve crop yields.
These new technologies are considered efficient, cost-effective and revolutionary.
Six $100,000 Phase 1 grants and two $600,000 Phase 2 grants were provided through the Small Business Innovation Research Program. The Phase 1 grants will be used to advance the development and testing of new products for pest control and fruit blossom pollination. The Phase 2 grants will help prepare products proven to work during field trials for the commercial market.
ISCA Technologies creates, improves, analyzes and commercializes management solutions to crop-damaging, forest-damaging, and disease-spreading pests. These safe and environmentally-friendly solutions make use of naturally occurring compounds that influence the behavior of such organisms.
These are the different projects/products specific for each of the grants:
Phase 1 Grants:
- A Semiochemical Shield for Spruce and Douglas Fir Trees from Bark Beetle Attack;
- Splat Bloom: Focused Bee Pollination in Safe Target Areas
- CLB Repel: A Safe, Organic Semiochemical Repellent for the Chicken Litter Beetle, Alphitobius Diaperinus;
- UAV-Based (drone-based) Semiochemical Management for U.S. Agricultural Crops;
- CBB (coffee berry borer) Repel: Safeguarding The Prosperity Of The Small Farm Hawaiian Coffee Industry; and
- BYOP – Brew Your Own Pheromone: A Bio-Based Production Method For Insect Pheromones Using Yeast Cell Factories.
Phase 2 Grants:
- Protecting Southern Yellow Pine from Dendroctonus Frontalis with SPB Repel Details; and
- Semiochemical Management of The Cranberry Fruitworm for the Small Cranberry Grower.
The said new technologies are considered efficient, cost-effective and revolutionary.
Look for available USDA loans, click here.The Dep’t of Agriculture Continues to Help
One of USDA’s mission is to help businesses flourish and grow. These businesses have a great impact on the field of agriculture and the rural communities throughout the nation.
In 2017 alone, the department has given a total of $24 million in grants to small U.S. businesses through its various programs.
The USDA Rural Development (RD) provides a myriad of programs and services for businesses. Financing opportunities may come in the form of loan guarantees, direct loans, and grants. Some programs are available all throughout the year, while others have an annual window when borrowers can submit new applications. To keep yourself updated with these programs and services, visit the USDA Rural Development site.
Potential borrowers eyeing to take advantage of these programs must meet the USDA RD’s income and property eligibility requirements.
Connect with a lender, click here.While direct loans and grants are funded directly by the department through the Rural Development agency, guaranteed loans are funded by USDA-approved commercial lender and banks.
There is a need to shop for USDA-approved lenders. This is because some lenders may choose to overlay requirements for particular financing programs. However, there are also those who just stick with the USDA’s requirements.
The USDA aims to help the rural community as a whole. Not only farmers and ranchers benefit through the institution’s programs. You may benefit from it as well. Check out the USDA website and you may discover opportunities that will also open doors for you.
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