Investment will Help Spartanburg County Ag Producer Offset Marketing Expenses
Columbia, S.C., October 13, 2020 – The Trump Administration, along with Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for South Carolina Debbie Turbeville, today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing over $35,500 to aid Harp & Shamrock Croft LLC, an upstate S.C. ag producer located in Wellford, market and expand sales of locally grown vegetables and herbs. USDA is providing the funding through the Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program.
“This investment will help Harp & Shamrock Croft LLC create and expand marketing opportunities and offset expenses directly related to the processing and selling organic vegetables,” said South Carolina USDA Rural Development State Director Debbie Turbeville. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural South Carolina in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Harp & Shamrock will use this investment to offset expenses related to supplies, packaging and personnel expenses. “We are honored to have been chosen and excited to be working with USDA RD on the Value-added Producer Grant program. The grant provides us with an opportunity to build financial success and continue to grow in size and harvested Certified Naturally Grown produce for the surrounding communities,” said Paul Callahan of Harp & Shamrock Croft, LLC.
Recipients of the VAPG can use funds 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. Working capital expenses include processing costs, marketing and advertising expenses, and some inventory and salary expenses.
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/sc.
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