Applications due for value-added grants

The deadline to apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s Value-Added Producer Grant is Aug. 29.

There is $37 million available and 10 percent is reserved for beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

Agricultural producers, businesses majority-owned by agricultural producers, and organizations representing agricultural producers are eligible to apply for grants for business planning or working capital expenses associated with marketing value-added agricultural products. Agricultural producers include farmers, ranchers, loggers, agricultural harvesters and fishermen who engage in the production or harvesting of an agricultural commodity.

For information and how to apply, visit: www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_VAPG_Grants.html.

Applicants also can contact their USDA Rural Development State Office by calling 800-670-6553 and pressing ?1.?

The Center for Rural Affairs has a Farm Bill Helpline at 402-687-2100 to give assistance in understanding the Value-Added Producer Grant program, as well as guidance to additional resources to help with the program and application.