Trump Administration Invests over $435,000 in Value Added Producer Grants in Rural Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pa., Sept. 22, 2020 – The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $435,259 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 $435,259 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:
- Karena Ellen Thek dba Thek Farm located in Kunkletown, Pa. was awarded $14,946 in grant funds to be used as working capital funds to support Thek Farm. The grant and matching funds will be utilized for expanding its customer base for local honey sales. Currently, the farm sells its honey out of its basement, by word of mouth. The funds will be used for marketing and branding initiatives, get the honey in store fronts and farmers' market stands, and begin branding efforts by the use of social media, package label design, and farm roadside sign development. The project is anticipated to increase the agricultural producer's customer base by approximately 700 customers.
- Cassilyn Schweighofer located in Tyler Hill, Pa. was awarded $46,931 in grant funds to be used as working capital funds to support Twin Brook Farms. The working capital will assist with expanding production to meet demand for locally raised meat. The farm will also use these funds to expand its customer base into new markets. This project is anticipated to increase the agricultural producer's customer base by approximately 150 customers.
- Brookfield Maple Products located in Westfield, Pa. was awarded $75,000 in grant funds to be used as working capital funds. The grant and matching funds will be utilized for expanding its customer base for local maple products sales. Currently, the farm sells its maple products by word of mouth, some internet sales, and local farmer’s markets. The funds will be used to expand the marketing and to rebrand its products locally and throughout Pennsylvania. The rebranding will include package label design and increasing its presence on social media. This project is anticipated to increase its customer base by approximately 1,200 new customers.
- Naturally Golden Family Farm Cooperative located in Enon Valley, Pa. was awarded $75,000 in grants funds to be used as working capital funds. The grant and matching funds will be utilized to kickstart a marketing campaign for a more easily digestible A2 milk that is produced by Guernsey cattle. This project is anticipated to increase the agricultural producer's customer base by more than 5,000.
- Woods Beach, LLC located in Douglassville, Pa. was awarded $249,379 in grants fund to be used as working capital grant funds to support an Ayrshire cows' milk farm. The grant and matching funds will be utilized for working capital to increase its customer base and farm revenue along with other farms they source milk from. Funds will also be used to aid with the expenses of processing, distributing, and advertising its yogurt. This project is anticipated to increase the agricultural producer's customer base by approximately 300.
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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