US: New Farmers' Guide helps with Value Added Producer Grants application
Administered by USDA Rural Development, VAPG provides competitive grants to help farmers and ranchers take their businesses to the next level by transforming raw goods into higher-value processed products like flour, cheese, or sauces/spreads, by innovative marketing of inherently higher value products like organic or grass-fed, or by linking through food hubs or other supply chain networks to local and regional food markets. The grants can be used for working capital, feasibility studies, business plans, and marketing efforts.
As announced by USDA recently, up to $44 million in funding will be available for fiscal year (FY) 2016, a historic high for the program. Up to $75,000 is available for planning grants and up to $250,000 is available for implementation grants.
“VAPG helps farmers increase their incomes and create new marketing opportunities for their products, which in turn supports the local economy by creating more jobs,” said Wes King, Policy Specialist at NSAC. “Since its inception, the program has helped thousands of producers grow their businesses by doing things like developing supply networks to turn wheat into flour for local millers and bakers. It also helps them promote their businesses through farm-identified marketing, like the “Homegrown by Heroes” label, which helps veteran farmers tell the story behind their products.”
Recognizing that applying for federal grants can be challenging, even for professional grant-writers, NSAC has been issuing updated versions of their Farmers’ Guide for the last four years.
First released in 2012, the Farmers’ Guide is available as a free resource, downloadable online via the NSAC website. The guide provides everything farmers and potential applicants might want to know about VAPG, including: project eligibility and examples of previously awarded projects, proposal types and requirements, an application scoring outline, program history, and an application timeline and checklist.
“At a time when commodity prices are slumping, exploring value-added opportunities can be a path to a more rewarding and sustainable future,’ said King. “Farmers can increase their share of the consumer food dollar by moving into marketing channels that reward innovation and quality, rather than undifferentiated raw commodities. We hope our updated guide will help farmers navigate the program and submit successful applications.”
The deadline to submit paper applications for VAPG is July 1, while electronic applications are due June 24 through grants.gov. In addition to NSAC’s Farmers’ Guide, more information, including application details, is available on the USDA VAPG webpage.
For more information:
sustainableagriculture.net