Value Added Producer Grant application deadline announced

The Value Added Producer Grant Program (VAPG) is a program in the 2008 Farm Bill. VAPG’s goal is to help new and existing rural independent agricultural producers. Grants are made to enable viable agricultural producers (those who are prepared to progress to the next business level of planning for, or engaging in value-added production) to develop businesses that product and market value added agricultural products. There are two types of grants available, Planning and Working Capital. The deadline is August 29.
Planning Grants assist agricultural producers to determine the viability of a potential value-added venture, and specifically for the purpose of paying for a qualified consultant to conduct and develop a feasibility study, business plan, and/or marketing plan and market survey associated with the processing and/or marketing of a value-added agricultural product.
Working Capital Grant funds are available to operate a value-added project, specifically to pay the eligible project expenses related to the processing and/or marketing of the value-added product.
Eligible applicants for grant funds include Independent Producers, Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer or Rancher Cooperatives and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Business Ventures.
The definition of a value-added product is any agricultural commodity that meets one of the following five value-added methodologies:
Has undergone a change in physical state;
Was produced in a manner that enhances the value of the agricultural commodity;
Is physically segregated in a manner that results in the enhancement of the value of the agricultural commodity;
Is a source of farm- or ranch-based renewable energy, including E-85 fuel; or
Is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced agricultural food product.
Reserved Funds for:
Beginning Farmer or Rancher, or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher or
Mid-Tier Value Chain proposals
Preference is given to operators of small-or medium-sized farms and ranches (gross income of $1 million or less) that are structured as a family farm.
Source: USDA