USDA Value-Added Producer Grants

Overview:

Value-added Producer Grants (VAPG) may be used for planning activities and for working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewal energy.

Eligibility:

VAPG eligible applicants are independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, agricultural producer groups, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.

Deadline:

The annual Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) for the 2006 funding cycle was published on December 21, 2005. The application period closed on March 31, 2006. Applications are currently being evaluated and funding decisions will be made by August 31, 2006.

For more information about the program, contact your State Rural Development Office to obtain additional information and assistance. A contact person, address, phone number, and e-mail address for each State Office is posted at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/index.html.