USDA Rural Development announced that funding is available to farmers, ranchers, businesses and food entrepreneurs to generate new products, grow markets and increase producer income. The funds are provided through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program.
Grants will be awarded for either working capital or planning activities. Working capital grant funds may be used to develop product lines from raw agricultural products, support further processing of existing goods or create and expand marketing opportunities. Planning grant funds may be used to conduct feasibility studies or develop business plans for processing and marketing the proposed value-added product. Independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer- or rancher-cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures are eligible to apply.
More information on how to apply can be found on page 40987 of the August 29, 2017 Federal Register. The deadline to submit paper applications is January 31, 2018. Electronic applications submitted through grants.gov are due January 24, 2018. For additional questions, please contact Dennis Rodin at the North Dakota Rural Development office at (701) 530-2037.