DAVIS, Calif., Jan. 6, 2023 – USDA Rural Development California State Director Maria Gallegos Herrera announced the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $250,000 in Value-Added Producer Grant funds that will help a California meat producer to process and market value-added products.
“Under the leadership of President Biden, USDA Rural Development is committed to helping new farmers, ranchers and independent producers have a fair chance to compete in the marketplace, who are greatly impacted by ongoing hardships in the market,” said Gallegos Herrera. “The Value-Added Producer Grant program supports these growing businesses’ innovation, whether in product development or reaching new customers. Today’s investment furthers our effort to strengthen our local and national food supply, spreads California products into new markets and boosts our local agricultural economy.”
Five Marys Farms in Siskiyou County will use $250,000 through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program to expand markets for its value-added product. Five Marys Farms is an independent meat producer of beef, pork, and lamb. This project is estimated to expand the farm’s customer base, support value-added processing, distribution, and promotion, thereby improving its support of the American food supply chain.
Today’s investment is part of a national release in which Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $9.6 million invested across the country to support farmers, ranchers, processors, and rural businesses diversify the nation’s meat supply.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ca.
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