WASHINGTON, June 28, 2011 – Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced that 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.
In Washington State, Red Mountain Viticulture, LLC, doing business as La Coye Vineyards, received funding for working capital for brand development and marketing of their premier wines. Crown S Ranch in Winthrop also received working capital funding. They utilized the support for direct local marketing of sustainably farmed meats and eggs.
“Our state has a vibrant, diversified agricultural economy, which can be strengthened with value added activities,” stated Tuana Jones, Business and Cooperative Programs Director for the USDA Rural Development in Washington State. “We are proud to invest in partnership with agricultural producers across the state to provide further sustainability and growth in their operations.”
Application deadline is August 29, 2011. For further details about eligibility rules and application procedures, see the June 28, 2011, Federal Register. Value-Added Producer Grants 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.
Visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov [6] for additional information about the agency's programs or to locate the USDA Rural Development office nearest you.