USDA Rural Development State Director Maxine Moul has announced that Nebraska is reaching out to interested Value-Added Producers, Ranchers, and Businesses to discuss funding opportunities through the 2017 Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. The Value-Added Producer Grant program awards competitive grants that facilitate the creation and development of value-added, famer-owned businesses.
“The VAPG program is USDA’s premier rural development tool for producers and has seen a significant increase in funding due to the 2014 Farm Bill,” said Moul. “USDA Rural Development Nebraska looks to build on its track record of helping agricultural producers across the state by enabling farmers, ranchers, and cooperatives to grow their businesses through the development and marketing of new and existing products.”
The VAPG program contributes to business creation in rural areas, while also enhancing food choices for consumers. Independent agricultural producers, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and producer controlled entities are eligible. VAPG grants may be used for planning activities or working capital expenses related to producing or marketing a value-added product.
Robinette Farms was awarded two VAPG working capital grants, one in 2011 and another in 2016. “USDA's Value Added Producer Grant has been a very valuable tool for our farm,” said Alex McKiernan, co-owner of Robinette Farms. McKiernan went on to say that, “Creating and marketing value added products has the potential to significantly enhance our farm's profitability, but this is no easy task. Our VAPG funds will help pay for processing, marketing, distribution and sales of our pasture-raised chickens and eggs, as well as microgreens that we grow near Lincoln, NE.” Without the assistance of the VAPG program it would be very difficult for small farming operations like Robinette Farms to develop new products and access higher-value markets.
Since the inception of the program Nebraska’s USDA Rural Development has awarded 121 Value-Added Producer Grants totaling $13.2 million.
To discuss applicant and project eligibility or for more information on the VAPG program, please contact the following Business Program Specialist Brant Richardson, brant.richardson@ne.usda.gov or (402) 437-5568.