2013 Value Added Producer Grant Program

[Future Harvest - CASA]

Hi all.  FYI, it is that time again - 2013 Value Added Producer Grant Program; please see info below.  Maryland vineyards, wineries, and orchards have had great success in the past with this grant program.  In 2011, nine Maryland awards were made, including 6 vineyards and wineries, totaling more than $1.2 million (sorry but the list for 2012 was not posted).

 

FYI: USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service has announced the 2013 Value Added Producer Grant Program;

 

USDA published the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program on November 25, 2013. The objective of the VAPG Program is to enable viable agricultural producers to develop businesses that produce and market value-added agricultural products.  Attached is a VAPG General Program Information Sheet, Application Toolkits and the NOFA. Major changes with the NOFA publication include:

1) maximum planning grant of $75,000;

2) maximum working capital grant of $200,000;

3) additional clarity on eligible tribal entities;

4) recommended application toolkits (attached).

For additional information please visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_VAPG.html.

 

Applications are due no later than February 24, 2014.

 

A series of webinars will be announced following publication of the NOFA to include:

·         introduction to VAPG;

·         training for applicants through AgMRC;

·         training for field staff on VAPG administration;

·         state and independent reviewer training;

·         VAPG and food hubs;

·         VAPG tribal training;

·         and other targeted training to unserved and underserved areas.

 

Additional information will be provided on the future webinars.  Some additional contact info: 

Jeff Williams

Business and Cooperative Specialist

Rural Development

United States Department of Agriculture

1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200

Dover, DE  19904

Phone: 302.857.3597 | Fax: 302.857.3635 | TDD: 302.857.3585

www.rurdev.usda.gov | “Committed to the future of rural communities.”