Description
The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program aims to assist viable independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer and rancher cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based businesses in starting or expanding value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of value-added agricultural products. Grants will be awarded competitively for either planning or working capital projects directly related to the processing and/or marketing of value-added products. The program's end goals are generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income. All proposals must demonstrate economic viability and sustainability to compete for funding.
Some key points to consider include:
* The maximum grant amount for a planning grant is $75,000 and the maximum grant amount for a working capital grant is $250,000.
* Applicants must provide required information within the body of the application or in the appropriate appendix.
* The project must result in an increase in customer base and a greater portion of the revenue derived from the marketing, processing, or physical segregation of the agricultural commodity will be available to the applicant producers supplying the majority of the raw agricultural commodity for the project.
* Applicants must comply with other applicable Federal laws, including Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) regulations.