OpportunityTitle: Value Added Producer Grant Program
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Eligible applicants are: Independent Producer, Agricultural Producer Group,Farmer or Rancher Cooperative, or a Majority Controlled Produced-Based Business.    Applicants must meet all related requirements  for Emerging Market (as applicable), Citizenship, Legal Authority and Responsibility, Multiple Grants and Active Grants. In addition, you must  meet Departmental requirements related to debarment, suspension and exclusion from participation in Federal assistance programs, as well as requirements related to outstanding Federal income taxes, judgments and delinquencies. For detailed requirements, see 7 CFR 4284.920 and 7 CFR 4284.921.
Description: The primary objective of the VAPG program is to help agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of bio-based value-added products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the end goals of this program. You may receive priority if you are a beginning farmer or rancher, a socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative, or are proposing a mid-tier value chain, as defined in the Program Regulation. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: Program Contact
GrantorContactText: Lyn Millhiser &lt;br/&gt;Phone 202-720-8460
CloseDateExplanation: Application must be submitted by October 15, 2012 to be considered for funding.  Applications may be submitted on paper or electronically. Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped or sent overnight by this date. Electronic applications are permitted via www.grants.gov only, and must be received before midnight on this date.  Late applications will not be considered for FY2012 funding.