Growers who might be interested in building a cidery or a packing facility or a processor or a grower-owned co-operative looking to expand or build operations to produce value-added products should look into USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grants.

USDA logoUSDA allotted $44 million this year to kick-start efforts to generate new agricultural products, create or expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income. Grants can be used to finance up to $75,000 for planning and $250,000 for capital casts, up to a limit of 50 percent of the project’s cost.

Priority will be given to veterans, members of socially disadvantaged groups, beginning farmers and ranchers and small- and medium-sized family farms and ranches. Additional priority will be awarded to applicants seeking money to create or increase marketing opportunities for the priority applicants listed above.

The deadline for paper applications is July 1; electronic applications submitted through grants.gov are due June 24, 2016. For more information, contact your county USDA Rural Development office or refer to this article in the Federal Register.