Funding to producers supports feasibility studies for business expansion, changing or expanding processes to add value to existing crops, or marketing and promotional materials
CARSON CITY, May 19, 2015 –USDA Rural Development will hold a workshop on its Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) June 11 to help Nevada farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs learn about the program and whether they wish to apply for grants funds. Nationwide over $30 million is available to fund the grants.
The VAPG workshops will be offered in the Carson City State Office, 1390 S. Curry St.; at the USDA Service Center in Elko at 555 W. Silver; and in the Las Vegas Service Center at 7080 La Cienega St. The workshop will be provided in conference rooms at each site through Video Teleconference System, with a lunch break from 12-1 p.m. The morning session will cover an overview of the program, in the afternoon the participants will learn how to apply for the funds.
To RSVP for the workshop, please contact Mark Williams at USDA Rural Development at (775) 887-1222 Ext. 116. More information on how to apply is on page 26528 of the May 8 Federal Register. The deadline to submit paper applications is July 7. Electronic applications submitted through grants.gov are due July 2.
VAPG grants can be used to develop new product lines from raw agricultural products or additional uses for already developed product lines. Military veterans, socially disadvantaged, and beginning farmers and ranchers; operators of small- and medium-sized family farms and ranches; farmer and rancher cooperatives; and applicants that propose mid-tier value chain projects are given special priority in applying for VAPGs.
In 2014, three Nevada producers were approved for the grant. The Frey Estate Distillery in Fallon received a $49,000 grant to market its winery and distillery products and improve sales efficiency. The McCleary Ranch north of Carson City received a small grant to develop marketing materials for the historic ranch. Tahoe Cheese, located in Carson City, received $49,700 for working capital to assist with increased production and marketing of the company's specialty artisan cheeses.