Rural Business Development and Assistance

• USDA Rural Development– Idaho
• Small Business Administration – Rural Businesse
• Idaho’s Rural Business Center – University of Idaho
• Idaho Rural Water Association (IRWA) – provides training and technical assistance to  drinking water and wastewater utility systems in Idaho communities with populations under 10,000.

Idaho Department of Agriculture

The Department of Agriculture oversees Idaho’s agricultural, livestock and food production industries and ag-related businesses, including:

• farming, ranching
• florists and nurseries (plants)
• dairies
• feed lots
• livestock, including cervidae
• livestock auction sales
• fish farms (aquaculture)
• commercial beekeepers
• pesticide applicators
• organic farming
• organic fertilizer manufacturers
• farmer’s markets and other seasonal food-related activities

The Department also manages programs to control noxious weeds and invasive insects and monitors Idaho’s Agricultural Water Quality Program.

• Market Development Program: Domestic and international marketing assistance
• Organic Certification: Crops, livestock and handlers/processors
• Financial Resources: for agricultural businesses
• Starting a Specialty Food Business in Idaho

Idaho Department of Commerce

• Rural Community Investment Fund – available to communities and tribes to promote economic development and job creation
• Idaho Gem Grant – community economic development assistance
• Tourism Resources – rural tourism development