Farms.com Home   News

USDA Rural Development National Value-added Producer Grant opens

USDA Rural Development National Value-added Producer Grant opens
By Joanne Davidhizar
 
Applications are now being accepted under the USDA Rural Development National Value-added Producer Grant program from agricultural producers and eligible groups to process, enhance, and/or market their goods in order to increase business sustainability. The Notice of Solicitation of Application (NOSA) was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 29, 2017. Proposals are due Jan. 31, 2018. Applications materials including the NOSA, Applicant Tool Kit, links to required forms and other important application resources are available at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants
 
Eligible applicants include agricultural producers and groups who actively grow, manage and control at least 51 percent of a commodity. Farmer cooperatives, certain non-profit grower entities and majority-controlled businesses are examples of groups who will be considered. Beginning, veteran farmer, socially-disadvantaged, operator of a small or medium sized family farm, cooperatives, mid-tier value chain project and group applicants are eligible for priority points.
 
Value-added projects are those that process a raw product, enhance a commodity, physically segregate a commodity, create a locally-produced food and establish farm-based energy operation or market an agriculture product. Examples include selling farm-raised meats, packing individual servings of fruits, separating of non-GE soybeans, processing corn into bio-fuel and developing a marketing campaign for a new winery.
 
Grants are limited to $75,000 for planning purposes and $250,000 for working capital. This grant requires a dollar-for-dollar match in the form of cash or eligible in-kind contributions. Planning grants support third-party feasibility studies and marketing and/or business plan development. Operating grants may be applied to the cost of processing or marketing a product. Certain restrictions apply to operating fund grants over $50,000. Land, buildings and equipment, grant preparation, research and development, engineering or architectural, agricultural production-related expenses are not eligible under the program.
 

Trending Video

The Future of Regenerative Agriculture

Video: The Future of Regenerative Agriculture

Many Canadian producers and buyers have started to use the term regenerative agriculture. In this webinar we explore why this term is gaining traction and what the future holds. Will regenerative agriculture follow the path of other sustainability claims such as organic and fair trade? Our panelists will explore some of the thorny issues that proponents already face or that they may soon encounter. For example, how will the regenerative agriculture retain its integrity in the minds of consumers? is it scalable? Who will pay farmers for their environmental stewardship?