Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Update
USDA Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) will include a number of updates in 2025. This follows the Rural Business-Cooperative Service’s final ruling in November to modernize several grant programs. To learn more about the updates and upcoming round of grant funding, you are invited to attend a VAPG 101 training hosted by the VAPG National Office for potential applicants!
Webinar: VAPG 2025 Program Updates
Date & Time: Jan. 7, 2025, 2:00 PM EST
The USDA Value-Added Producer Grant helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. Priority may be received for beginning farmers, socially-disadvantaged farmers or small or medium-sized farms structured as a family farm, a farmer cooperative or those proposing a mid-tier value chain.
Writing this grant with the assistance of Stewards Unlimited is typically a 8-10 week engagement process. This is a lengthy grant but highly rewarding and applicable to almost every small or midsize producer’s operation. We encourage you to start the process with us if you haven’t already!
Key Details:
Funding Size: Planning Grants $75,000; Working Capital Grants $250,000
Due: TBA, typically March-May, annually
Website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/value-added-producer-grants
Should you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out or schedule a call with Stephen using this link: https://calendly.com/stephenussery/30minutes. Please copy the name of the opportunity into the comments section of the meeting.
Take care,
Daniella Lewis
Farmer Resource Steward
P.S. Consider joining our free Grant Alerts service if you're not already participating! We research grants on a weekly basis, filter them based on your business/organization characteristics, and send email alerts with best fit opportunities. If you are interested in trying it out, you can fill out the Grant Alert Tag Verification survey.