Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on May 8 that the USDA 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.
"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 says.
"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."
Information on how to apply is in 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. Military veterans; socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers; operators of small- and medium-sized family farms and ranches; farmer and rancher cooperatives; and applicants who propose mid-tier value chain projects are given special priority in applying for VAPGs. Additional priority is given to group applicants who seek funding for projects that "best contribute" to creating or increasing marketing opportunities for these types of operators.
Congress increased funding for the VAPG program when it passed the 2014 Farm Bill. PD
—From USDA news release
