By Wendy Wieland
Have you ever considered grant funding to help grow your valued-added agriculture business? By attending one of the upcoming seminars hosted by the Michigan State University Extension Product Center, you’ll be one step closer to determining if the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Value-Added Producer Grant is the right fit to grow your operation. Staff from USDA Rural Development will present sessions sharing the basic requirements for the grant program, which is currently open for applications. Follow-up work sessions are available to webinar attendees that will drill down into specifics and walk them through the grant application process.
With a clear and concise plan, many Michigan farmers have been successful in accessing these funds. Even if you plan to apply in 2025, attending one of these sessions is strongly recommended to help you prepare a winning application when ready.
The virtual events will occur on February 21, 2024, at two different times: from 1-3 p.m. and again from 6-8 p.m. Both sessions will be live. The workshops are free, but registration is required. Sign up by visiting: events.anr.msu.edu/USDAVAPG2024/.
More information about the program is available here: Value Added Producer Grants in Michigan.
MSU Product Center
Diversifying a food business brings rewards and potential challenges. In making this strategic decisions, consider partnering with MSU Extension’s Product Center. The MSU Product Center is an organization that brings together on-campus expertise in the sectors of food, agriculture, and natural resources to help entrepreneurs define and launch innovative products. Field-based innovation counselors advise entrepreneurs on business planning, regulatory requirements, and product development needs.
Source : msu.edu