DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Business-Cooperative Service Inviting Applications for Value-Added Producer Grants
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

The primary objective of this grant program is to assist Independent Producers of agricultural commodities, Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer and Rancher Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Businesses in starting or expanding value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of biobased value-added agricultural products.

USDA announces the availability of competitive grant funding through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. Approximately $10.5 million in carry over funding from fiscal year (FY) 2013 is available to help agricultural producers enter into value added activities. This NOFA is being published prior to the Congressional enactment of a full-year appropriation for FY 2014.

Type of Instrument: Grant. Minimum Award Amount: Not restricted for planning or working capital. In FY 2012, 40 percent of awards were $50,000 or less. Maximum Award Amount: Planning—$75,000; Working Capital— $200,000. Anticipated Award Date: April 15, 2014.
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-11-25/pdf/2013-28175.pdf 8 pg