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Applications open for USDA grant program
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Posted on Jul 04 2011
Applications are being accepted for grants to provide economic assistance to independent producers, farmer, and rancher cooperatives and agricultural producer groups through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program.
This grant may be used for feasibility studies or business plans, working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy projects. Eligible applicants include independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, and agricultural producer groups. Value-added products are created when a producer increases the consumer value of an agricultural commodity in the production or processing stage.
Awards may be made for planning activities or for working capital expenses, but not for both. The maximum grant amount for a planning grant is $100,000 and the maximum grant amount for a working capital grant is $300,000. Rural Development is encouraging applications that will support communities in urban or rural areas, with limited access to healthy foods and with a high poverty and hunger rate.
Matching funds. Grant funds may be used to pay up to 50 percent of the total eligible project costs, subject to the limitations established for maximum total grant amount. Applicants must certify the availability and source-verify all matching funds at time of application submission.
The application deadline is Aug. 29, 2011. For further details about eligibility rules and application procedures, see the June 28, 2011, Federal Register (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-06-28/html/2011-16121.htm).
Visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov for additional information about the agency’s programs or to locate the USDA Rural Development office nearest you.[I] (USDA)[/I]
