Thursday, Jun 30 2011 3:00PM
The USDA's Value-Added Producer Grant Program will supply independent producers, farmer and rancher co-ops and agricultural producer groups funding.
On June 28, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced the USDA will be accepting grant applications to provide economic relief for agricultural groups through the end of August.
The USDA's Value-Added Producer Grant Program will provide funding to independent producers, farmer and rancher co-ops and agricultural producer groups. Grant money is intended to help agriculture producers with feasibility studies or business plans, technical assistance or provide working capital for marketing and renewable energy projects.
"By creating value-added products, farmers and ranchers can expand economic opportunities, create jobs and keep wealth in rural communities." said Merrigan. "These funding opportunities will promote business expansion and entrepreneurship by helping local businesses get access to capital, technical assistance and new markets for their products and services."
The grants may be particularly needed in California. State lawmakers recently approved the budget for the 2010 fiscal year, which includes cuts in aid for some rural agriculture producers.