Value-Added Producer Grants enable eligible agricultural producers to develop businesses that produce and market value-added agricultural products. 

Wisconsin has led the nation for three straight years both in the number of grants received and the dollars received for this program. 

Applicants must be an independent producer, agricultural producer group, farmer or rancher cooperative, or a majority-controlled producer-based business venture. The project must show evidence of a high likelihood of creating value added for an agricultural product. Value-added is the incremental value that is realized by the producer from an agricultural commodity or product as a result of a change in its physical state, differentiated production or marketing, as demonstrated in a business plan, product segregation or the economic benefit realized from the production of farm or ranch-based renewable energy. Incremental value may be realized by the producer as a result of either an increase in value to buyers or expansion of the overall market for the product.

The maximum amount is $100,000 for planning grants and $300,000 for working capital grants per fiscal year.

For more information about this program, as well as various application tools and templates, check out the national Value-Added Producer Grant webpage. Also, as a reference guide, download the Value-Added Producer Grant Brochure.

Contact our State Office for more information.