It’s time to plan for federal grant applications. In August we announced successful applications worth $458,000 for three clients in the USDA Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program. This program will provide cost-shared support for feasibility studies, business plans or working capital for farmer-owned value-added agricultural projects. (Funding for construction, equipment and ag production costs are not eligible in this program). USDA has not yet announced application deadlines for 2021, but last year applications were due in February; we anticipate a similar timeline in 2021. Contact Bob Olson for more information about the VAPG program at bolson@cdsus.coop.
Three weeks ago, we facilitated three applications to the MN Dept of Agriculture AGRI Value-Added grant program, seeking over $220,000 for equipment to add value to MN-based raw agricultural products. Results will be announced in December. Dates for 2021 applications are not yet known but contact Bob for information on this program as well.