Aquaculture Grant Program

Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin announces that Georgia is the recipient of a $205,200.00 Aquaculture grant from the Commodity Credit Corporation.  The purpose of the 2008 Aquaculture Grant Program (2008 AGP) is to provide assistance to eligible aquaculture producers that suffered financial losses associated with high feed input costs during the 2008 calendar year. The grant is made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Georgia’s funding is based on the total aquaculture feed delivered in the State in the 2007 calendar year.

To be eligible an aquaculture producer must meet the minimal following criteria:

• Raised an aquaculture species in a controlled environment and is currently in operation
• Maintained the aquaculture species as a part of a farming operation
• Had a financial risk in the production of such species
• Produced an aquaculture species for which 2008 feed costs represented at least 25 percent of the producer’s total input costs for the aquaculture operation, as certified by the producer
• Experienced at least a 25% increase of 2008 feed costs above the state’s previous 5-year average (2003-2007) as determined by the Georgia Department of Agriculture
• Adjusted income must be no more than $2.5 million

The total amount of assistance that a person may receive from the funds made available under the 2008 AGP cannot exceed $100,000, except for general partnerships and joint ventures. Interested aquaculture producers applying for 2008 AGP benefits must certify that records are on file for the producer at the applicable County Farmer Service Association.

Telephone Conference

To help assist our producers, the Georgia Department of Agriculture will hold 2 telephone conferences for producers to call in a ask questions about the grant program, how to fill out the application form and all other questions. Below are the dates and details of calling in:

1st Telephone Conference:   July 31st, 2009 10:00AM – 11:00 AM

2nd Telephone Conference:   August 7th, 2009 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

When placing you call, dial the 1 866 number, you will then be prompted to enter a pass code followed by the # sign:

Dial:  1 866-408-2167

Passcode: 8838003#

For further information on this grant program, e-mail inquires to grants@agr.state.ga.us or contact the Grants Administration Office at 404-463-8875. Application forms must be received or postmarked no later than:  August 14th, 2009.  No applications will be accepted after this date.