Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is making up to $44 million available to farmers, ranchers and businesses to develop new products and expand markets through the Value-Added Producer Grant program.
“America’s farmers, ranchers and rural business owners are innovative entrepreneurs and this program helps them grow economic opportunities for their families and communities by increasing the value of the things they produce,” Vilsack said. “The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program has a great track record of helping producers increase the value of products, expand their markets and customer base.”
Value-Added Producer Grants may be used to develop new products and create additional uses for existing ones. In Nevada, VAPGs supported marketing activities for the Churchill Vineyards in Fallon, and assisted the Tahoe Cheese Company with outreach and promotions. Marketing of locally grown foods to restaurants and area consumers qualifies as an eligible and effective use of the VAPG; for example, the River School Farm used a VAPG to help market locally produced products
In Nevada, contact Mark Williams at (775) 887-1222, Ext. 116 to learn more. Nevada is hosting a workshop on the Value Added Producer Grant April 28, 2016 from 9:00 am. to 12:00 p.m. in the USDA Rural Development State Office in Carson City State, located at 1390 S. Curry St, 89702. Paper applications must be postmarked or receive in the Carson City office by July 1, 2016. Electronic applications must be received by http://www.grants.gov no later than midnight Eastern Time, June 24, 2016.
Priority scoring for these grants is given to Veterans, members of socially disadvantaged groups, beginning farmers and ranchers, and operators of small- and medium-sized family farms and ranches.
More information is available on line at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants