USDA Seeks Applications To Help Farmers, Ranchers Access New Markets
U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is accepting applications for grants to help farmers and ranchers create economic prosperity by maximizing the value of the items they produce.
USDA is making the grants available under the Value-Added Producer Grants program. The grants help agricultural producers generate new products, create marketing opportunities, and increase their incomes through value-added activities.
USDA is offering priority points to projects that advance key priorities to help communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, advance equity, and combat climate change. These extra points will increase the likelihood of funding for projects seeking to address these critical challenges in rural America.
Eligible applicants include independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and majority-controlled producerbased business ventures.
Funding priority will be given to farmers or ranchers who are beginning, military veterans or socially disadvantaged; small and mid-sized family farms or ranches; and farmer or rancher cooperatives. Priority also will be given to projects that propose a mid-tier value chain by development of a supply network that moves agricultural products from production through consumption in a local or regional market.
Funding may be used for planning activities or working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a valueadded agricultural product.
Planning activities may include conducting feasibility studies and developing business plans. Working capital expenses may include costs associated with processing, marketing, advertising, inventory and salaries.
A total of $19.75 million is available in fiscal year 2022, including $2.75 million in COVID- 19 relief funds carried over from 2021.
The maximum award for a planning grant is $75,000. The maximum award for a working capital grant is $250,000.
Awardees must contribute matching funds equal to the amount of the grant unless they are applying for COVID-19 relief funds, which allows for a reduced matching requirement of 10 percent of the grant amount.
Electronic applications will be accepted via Grants.gov until 9:59 p.m. Mountain Time on April 25.
Paper applications must be sent to the Montana State Office in Bozeman. Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed or sent overnight by May 2. Applications also may be delivered in person or emailed to a Montana RD field office by close of business May 2. Click here for a complete list of addresses.
Additional information is available on page 11396 of the March 1 Federal Register or by contacting your local USDA Rural Development Montana office.
The Jan. 18 VAPG press release contains a complete list of USDA Rural Montana's 2021 VAPG awardees and the below links highlight VAPG funding in action:
• Crooked Yard Hops (Bozeman) • Farver Farms (Scobey)
• Montana RancHers Beef Co. (Lewistown)
• Roam Free Ranch (Hot Springs) For more information about VAPG or to apply, contact Montana's Business and Cooperative Programs agriculture specialist Marlee Sandry at 406-585-2588 or Marlee.Sandry@usda.gov.
For more information, visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/mt.
