Deadline: 25-Apr-22
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service has announced the applications for the Value-Added Producer Grant Program 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. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the end goals of the program. All proposals must demonstrate economic viability and sustainability to compete for funding.
The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income.
Funding Information
- $19.75 million in total available funding. Of this amount, the COVID–19 relief funds constitute $2.75 million rolled over from the FY 2021 appropriations and the other $17 million comes from the FY 2022 appropriations.
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Maximum Grant Amount:
- Planning Grants $75,000;
- Working Capital Grants: $250,000.
How may funds be used?
Grant and matching funds can be used for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product. Examples of planning activities include conducting feasibility studies and developing business plans for processing and marketing the proposed value-added product. Examples of working capital expenses include:
- Processing costs.
- Marketing and advertising expenses.
- Some inventory and salary expenses.
Eligibility Criteria
Independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer- or rancher-cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures, are eligible to apply for this program.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=333705