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Trump Administration Invests over $810,000 in Value Added Producer Grants in Rural Pennsylvania

Name
Amber Albright
Phone
City
Harrisburg
Release Date

Trump Administration Invests over $810,000 in Value Added Producer Grants in Rural Pennsylvania
 

Harrisburg, Pa., Sept. 23, 2020 – The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $810,975 to help agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income.

“Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, I am honored to announce these investments in rural Pennsylvania. Missions like this are critical to the goals of President Trump and set forth in his Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. The VAPG program will help local business owners to reach more customers across Pennsylvania. It is truly an honor to give back to the local family producer businesses and help grow their workforce and market share,” said Trump Appointee Curt Coccodrilli, Pa. State Director for USDA Rural Development.

Background:

USDA Pennsylvania is funding 5 projects with total investments of $810,975 and will help serve rural Pennsylvanians through the Value Added Producer Grants. The investment funding may be used for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product. For example:

  • Old Tin Roof Farm, LLC located in New Kensington, Pa. was awarded $11,500 in grant funds to be used s working capital funds. The grant and matching funds will be utilized for marketing value-added products such as garlic salt, garlic powder, candied ginger, and pickled ginger made from its two main crops, garlic and ginger.  Including value-added products to the mix of items offered will allow the farm to extend its selling season and open opportunities to provide shelf stable items that can be sold year-round. Funds will also be used to purchase a new dehydrator and packaging materials.  This project is anticipated to increase the agricultural producer's customer base by approximately 1,700.
  • Torchbearer Sauces, LLC located in Mechanicsburg, Pa. was awarded $250,000 in grant funds to be used as working capital funds. The grant and matching funds will be utilized for processing homegrown ghost chili peppers into a variety of condiments and sauces using fresh ingredients.  Funds will also be used for marketing in order to increase unit sales and brand loyalty for existing recipes and new products through effective social media channels.  This project is anticipated to increase the agricultural producers customer base by approximately 20,000.
  • Cherry Valley Community Farm Inc. located in Burgettstown, Pa. was awarded $49,475 in grant funds to be used as working capital funds to support Cherry Valley Organics farm located in Washington County, PA.  The grant and matching funds will be utilized to help enter the single serve herbal tea market within the Pittsburgh, PA region.  This project is anticipated to increase the agricultural producer's customer base by approximately 100 customers.  The project will serve a socially disadvantaged woman-owned farm.
  • Toigo Orchards II locate in Shippensburg was awarded $250,000 in grant funds to be used as working capital funds. The grant and matching funds will be utilized to expand and increase the sales of organic peaches and blackberries at farmers' markets and for wholesale distribution in the Mid-Atlantic region. Funds will be used to help the farm cover costs associated with transportation, labor, marketing, advertising, and distribution of its organic crops. This project is anticipated to increase the agricultural producer's customer base by approximately 48,750 new retail customers and at least 6 wholesale customers. 
  • Spitzenburg Cider House, LLC located in Breinigsville, Pa. was awarded $250,000 in grant funds to be used as working capital grant funds. The grant and matching funds will be utilized for the processing and marketing of a hard cider and brandy products developed from corn, rye and grapes.  The product will be produced in their Hawk Mountain Distillery located in Breinigsville, Lehigh County.  This project is anticipated to increase the agricultural producer's customer base by approximately 5,750.

More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.

Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants a detailed overview of the application process.


USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

To schedule an interview with State Director Curt Coccodrilli, please contact Amber Albright at 717-237-2295 or Amber.Albright@usda.gov.

 

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