Funding to help beginning, veteran, and socially-disadvantaged farmers and ranchers expand businesses; $30 million available to develop new products
USDA Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is making $30 million available to farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs to develop new product lines. Funding will be made available through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program.
Cochise College, through a grant from the USDA, is assisting in the promotion of this program. Small Business Development Center program specialist Robert Mucci is available to assist applicants in finding information about the grant and answering questions concerning application for the grant. He can be reached by email at muccir@cochise.edu or by calling the Cochise College Small Business Development Center at (520) 515-5478.
“Farmers and ranchers are creative people who, with a little help, can put that creativity to work and improve the bottom line for their operations,” Vilsack said. “Value-Added Producer Grants enable them to develop new product lines to grow their businesses and expand their contributions to our nation’s economy. This support is especially important for beginning farmers, military veterans engaging in farming and smaller farm operations participating in the local and regional food system.”
More information on how to apply is on page 26528 of the May 8 Federal Register. The deadline to submit paper applications is July 7. Electronic applications submitted through grants.gov are due July 2.
VAPG grants can be used to develop new product lines from raw agricultural products or additional uses for already developed product lines. Special priority in applying for VAPGs is given to military veterans, socially disadvantaged, and beginner farmers and ranchers; operators of small- and medium-sized family farms and ranches; farmer and rancher cooperatives; and applicants that propose mid-tier value chain projects. Additional priority is given to group applicants who seek funding for projects that “best contribute” to creating or increasing marketing opportunities for these type of operators.