The USDA is encouraging ranchers and farmers to cut out the middleman, develop new products and market directly to consumers with $37 million in grants available under the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program.
The money is available for farmers, ranchers and producer-based businesses to develop new products from raw agricultural products or promote new markets for established products.
Veterans; socially-disadvantaged groups; beginning farmers and ranchers; operators of small and medium-sized family farms and ranches; and farmer and rancher cooperatives are given special priority.
Electronic applications must be submitted here. by March 5, 2020, at midnight eastern time. Paper applications must be submitted to the nearest USDA office by March 10, 2020. Additional information is available on page 67703 of the December 11, 2019, Federal Register.
USDA Rural Development’s VAPG program helps agricultural producers eliminate the marketing middle-man and enhances the ability to develop retail consumer products from the stock and crops they raise. Visit here for more information.
