 "The Value-Added Producer Grant program helps farmers with the
capital they need to develop their value-added business and pursue
marketing opportunities," said Colleen Callahan, state director for
USDA Rural Development. "These grants can be a catalyst to expand
their product offerings, improve their revenue streams and create
more economic opportunity by bringing additional value to what they
already produce."
Independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives,
majority-controlled producer-based business ventures, and
agricultural producer groups are eligible to apply. Applications are
due Oct. 15.
USDA Rural Development is making up to $14 million in grants
available for projects that help farmers and ranchers produce
bio-based products from agricultural commodities. The grants, which
are competitively awarded, are available for planning activities or
for working capital expenses, but not for both. The maximum grant
amount is $100,000 for planning grants and $300,000 for working
capital grants. Generating new products, creating and expanding
marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the
goals of the grant program.
One of last year's Illinois recipients of the Value-Added
Producer Grant was Living
Water Farms, which produces hydroponic greens for specialty
markets in the Midwest. Living Water Farms, located in Strawn, two
hours south of Chicago's Loop, built a hydroponic complex that
allows them to consider year-round sales. They were awarded a grant
last year to expand the market for their greens and now market them
to Illinois supermarkets, high-end restaurants in Chicago and St.
Louis, and a Midwest college food service program. The grant helped
in evaluating their brand and expanding their distribution to other
restaurants, specialty retail and institutional outlets.
One of the other Illinois recipients was the Marcoot family, who
milk Jersey cows in southern Illinois. In 2010, they built a small
creamery on their farmstead, where they process all of their milk
into Jersey-based artisan cheeses. In order to better meet the
demand of their local markets,
Marcoot Jersey
Creamery used the grant to diversify products and now produces
12 cheese varieties exclusively from their milk.
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Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to apply for the grants,
but priority will be given to operators of small and medium-sized
farms or ranches that are structured as family farms; beginning
farmers or ranchers; or those owned by socially disadvantaged
farmers or ranchers. Grants are available for projects up to 36
months in duration.
For information on how to apply, see
Page 48951 of the Aug. 15 Federal Register.
For more information on the Value-Added Grant Producer Grant
program, visit
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_VAPG.html.
___
Rural Development has more than 40 programs that foster growth
and economic stability in rural areas by providing affordable
financing and technical assistance. Support is available for
regional food systems, broadband and biofuel infrastructure,
homeownership, business development, and community needs. More
information on USDA Rural Development programs is available on the
Web at
www.rurdev.usda.gov/il.
[Text from file received from
USDA Rural Development, Illinois]
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