Goat Producer’s Coop Receives Grant for Feasibility Study

By Mario A. Morales

The Southwest Texas Goat Producer’s Coop received a $99,922 grant for a feasibility study from the USDA – Rural Development agency through its Small Minority Producer Grant program. The purpose is to develop an outline for the organization of this Coop and to determine the potential success for this Goat Producer’s Coop. Work on the proposal was led by Larry S. Ernst, vice chairman of the Texas-Mexico Border Coalition and treasurer for the Rio Grande-Nueces Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council and Mario A. Morales, RC&D coordinator for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The Feasibility Study will consist of five items. They are: 1) an economic analysis describing the potential for a meat and dairy goat industry in the Rio Grande-Nueces RC&D Area; 2) a marketing study/plan to identify potential markets for goat products; 3) a business plan for the Southwest Texas Goat Producer’s Cooperative, Inc.; 4) a final report that will include suggestions for the profitability and sustainability of the Southwest Texas Goat Producer’s Cooperative; and 5) the implementation of a four-part series of specialized training sessions on goat production and goat products.

The benefits of this grant proposal are to assist small, minority producers to increase their household incomes, enhance their family’s standard of living, and bring this category of producer (low income, minority, and non-traditional USDA clients) into the USDA family. Implementation of this project should result in improved range management of grazing lands and to spur economic development along the Texas-Mexico border. Additionally, the success of this endeavor will: 1) result in a decreased out-migration of persons in an economically depressed area, 2) provide for a more diversified local agricultural industry, 3) provide for higher employment rates in an economically depressed area, 4) provide for higher wages among participants, 5) result in increased duration of employment among participants, and 6) result in other increases in economic activity and land values along the Texas-Mexico border.

“We look forward to completing this project and to have a positive impact in our area,” said Morales. For more information about this project, please contact Mario A. Morales, RC&D coordinator, at 830-279-0164.

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