USDA has announced that they are accepting applications through the Value Added Producer Grant Program.  These grants provide economic assistance to independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives and agricultural producer groups.  Grant funds may be used for feasibility studies or business plans, working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy projects.  Value-added products are created when a producer increases the consumer value of an agricultural commodity in the production or processing stage.


Application deadline is August 29, 2011. For more information click here.