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USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENTS BENEFITS LOCAL FARMER

Name
Cynthia M. O'Grady
Phone
City
Mount Laurel
Release Date

Mount Laurel, NJ - The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding over $65,000 to Salem Oak Vineyards through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) and the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

“The USDA funds awarded to Salem Oak Vineyards will improve energy efficiency as well as create and expand marketing opportunities. This family run business is another example of how USDA programs can be used to start a business and help it grow.  After visiting with the owner yesterday, Mandi spoke about their year over year growth and how two new business have started that are now vendors of the vineyard, making a huge difference in this very small-town economy,” said New Jersey State Director Michael Thulen Jr.  “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural New Jersey in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

Salem Oak Vineyards is a female owned, family-run farm operating for almost seven years by Mandi Cassidy. Located on the border of Gloucester and Salem Counties, Mandi has already overseen two successful implementations of VAPG’s in 2009 and 2011.  This new investment will help make enhancements to the Vineyard’s brand, by improving packaging and marketing methods.  These improvements will also help support the hiring of a marketing person, who is familiar with sales and marketing of wine products and two part-time sales attendants to assist with the increased consumer base. 

The second investment through the Rural Energy for America Program was used to purchase and install a roof mount Solar Photovoltaic Power System, suppling enough energy to power all the vineyards needs. The project with its energy-efficiency improvements and solar energy has reduce energy costs to this small business owner when every dollar counts.

Within her first three years of operation, Mandi had managed to grow the business and make it profitable with the help of her twins Julia Marie and Matthew Cassidy.  So, with this family working together and with added help the Salem Oak Vineyards will continue to be successfully and grow while supporting other local business.

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.

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