2009 PRESS RELEASES
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August 28, 2009
STATE AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF VALUE ADDED PRODUCER GRANTS
Contact: Elaine J. Lidholm, 804.786.7686
Todd P. Haymore, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be accepting applications from Virginia agricultural producers for grants to assist those seeking to add value to the commodities they produce. Approximately $18 million will be awarded nationwide.
“USDA plans to award planning grants of up to $100,000 and working capital grants of up to $300,000 to successful applicants,” Haymore said. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that use existing agricultural products in non-traditional ways or merge agricultural products with technology in creative ways. Businesses of all sizes may apply, but priority will be given to operators of small and medium-sized family farms - those with average, annual gross sales of less than $700,000.
Applicants must provide matching funds equal to the amount of the grant requested. Ten percent of the funding being made available is reserved for beginning farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. An additional ten percent is reserved for projects involving local and regional supply networks that link independent producers with businesses and cooperatives that market value-added products.
Paper and electronic applications must be submitted to the Rural Development state office in the state where the project will be located. A list of state offices is available at www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html. Electronic applications must be submitted through www.Grants.gov. The USDA will publish the official notice for funding availability in the Federal Register the week of August 31 and will begin accepting applications at that time.
“Adding value to a product is a great way for a farmer to increase his or her bottom line,” said Haymore, “and I encourage our Virginia producers to consider carefully how they may do this. Then I encourage them to apply for one of these federal grants.”