Program objective is to assist independent agricultural producers enter into value-added activities by conducting feasibility studies and business plans or by providing working capital to start up operations.

Fact Sheet - summary of program

As with all value-added efforts, generating new products, creating expanded marketing opportunities and increasing producer income are the end goal.

VAPG applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than October 15, 2012.

Approximately $37 million in total funds are currently available.

August 15, 2012 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

An application template is available for parties interested in applying for the VAPG program.Use of the application template is not required, but applicants are encouraged to use the template to be certain all required criteria are addressed.

FY 2012 Application Template

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a draft application to the local Area Office for a preliminary review by October 1, 2012.

RD Office Locations

List of VAPG grant writers - None listed have been put through any type of screening or endorsement by Rural Development.