I have recently been given the opportunity to get involved with a business promoting self-reliance (selling wood & coal stoves). I was wondering if there are any grants out there to help self-reliant bussineses get started?

Thank you for your help. Your shared knowledge is appreciated.

Katka

-- Katka Harris (ysbmc@adsnet.com), February 19, 2001

Answers

Government Grants for Self-Reliant Living........ ..............oxymoron...........................

-- Grouchy (grouch1@aol.com), February 19, 2001.

Very funny, Grouchy! If there were a grant available, how much would it cost? Funny.

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), February 19, 2001.

Ok, well then forget the government. Do you know of any Foundations willing to give grants for self-reliant living?

Thanks for your help!

Katka

-- Katka Harris (ysbmc@adsnet.com), February 19, 2001.

Go to Lesko.com and take a look. The site looks kind of goofy, but there's a lot of good info there (much of which you'll have to pay for). My sister bought his book for about $40. It's about 12"x10" and 642 pages ~ all lists of different kinds of grants and guaranteed loans.

-- Wingnut (wingnut@moment.net), February 19, 2001.

Sorry but I too am still rolling on the floor from laughter....our County offers programs/help in certian livestock. They are now offering to help out w/ sheep raising have not got the details but from past dealings w/ them its not worth the paper work or time. Call your Dept. Of Ag. and ask them.

-- renee (oneillsr@home.com), February 19, 2001.

Hi Katka,,, I am kinda new to the forum, don't get on much,,,but...I too was hopeful,,,but found there isn't much help out there to get started in anything unless you already have money to give other people for books, addresses, transcriptions, etc. Why not try a couple local libraries for more information on grants? Also your librarian can order books (thru a network they have) FREE for you on any subject. So don't give up, you may find something to help. I am still laughing out loud at Crouchy's comment,haha...we all need a good, laugh ,,,Patsy

-- Patsy J (cozy hollow-gal@care2.com), February 19, 2001.

Katka--

Don't know if his info. helps or if I'm way off base, but I know of a guy in my state, (PA) who received a $60,000 grant from the state Dept. of Energy;It was for a greenhouse he built that takes all it's energy from the sun and compost bins that line it's northern wall. He said that the state approved the grant because of his efforts to curb fossil fuel needs to heat it in the winter. Wood and coal wouldn't exactly meet that criteria,though, s-o-o don't know...But the possibility under the right circumstances does exist. You might need to go at it from another angle however!He does offer seminars and open houses to show others his ideas.

-- Glory (mornglorfarm@ncconnect.net), February 19, 2001.

Hey guys, thanks for all your help (and jokes! :o)

--Katka

-- Katka Harris (ysbmc@adsnet.com), February 19, 2001.

Hi again Katka,,sorry I typed my email address wrong previouly,,left a space between cozy and hollow,,wrong! Hope you find the info you need,,,

-- Patsy (cozyhollow-gal@care2.com), February 19, 2001.

Read the fine print, and beware of the strings. The Feds don't "give" anything away.

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), February 19, 2001.

A lot of times it's not the "Feds" that are offering the grants. There are foundations and charitable organizations that promote all sorts of things, and if what they promote and what you are trying to do are similar enough they just may give you some money to do it. The trick is in finding that foundation or charitable organization. This is where Matthew Lesko's book comes in handy. I doubt that there are grants specifically given to people who just want to be living the "country life", but I'll bet there are LOTS of grants out there for a woman who wants to go into business for herself.

The person who suggested going to the library is right on! About a week after my sister shelled out the dough for her book, she found a copy at the library!

-- Wingnut (wingnut@moment.net), February 20, 2001.

Katka, Is this a company you are dealing with on a commission basis? or something you have decided to do yourself? If its a establish company then they should have everything you need to get started, since they are the ones wanting you to promote their products. If it's something you have decided to do on your own then try as hard as you can to do it by yourself,with friends help,relatives help,etc. stay away from any loans or government as much as you can.

-- Tom (tjk@cac.net), February 20, 2001.