Action Alert on Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) Funding

For over 100 years, Farmers Union has worked to strengthen the social and economic capacity of rural communities through cooperative development. But right now, federal funding to create and sustain cooperative businesses and jobs is at risk.  Time is running out to support rural cooperative businesses in our region.  

$5.7 million in appropriated funds are being held up at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). With the end of the fiscal year rapidly approaching on September 30th, the window to open the grant application will close in the next couple of weeks if there is no action taken by OMB. 

If this program does not get released, the RMFU Co-op Center and the rural communities we serve will lose significant funding to provide technical assistance to rural cooperative businesses across our region. The Co-op Center has supported businesses like the Wyoming Food Coalition, La Montañita Food Co-op, and Valley Roots Food Hub, which all strengthen the regional food chain. 

• Stand with the RMFU Cooperative Development Center to support the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG), a vital program that supports cooperative development centers and projects nationwide. 

• Pick up the phone and call your member of Congress! Find your member here 

Ask them to urge the OMB to release the Rural Cooperative Development Grant, funding that provides technical assistance to rural cooperative businesses that support rural communities, bringing innovation, prosperity, and jobs to Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. 

Cooperative businesses have been the backbone of rural America for over 100 years. Help us preserve the funding for our Rural Cooperative Development Grant and continue the mission of the RMFU Cooperative Development Center! 

Call now to #SaveRCDG and release this vital cooperative business funding so our local economies in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming can benefit, before it’s too late! 

For questions, reach out to:  

Sandra Baca, RMFU Cooperative Development Center Director, sa*********@**fu.org or call 303.283.3530