Iowa
| Value Added Producer Grant Program (VAPG) | |
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Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than November 30, 2009, to be eligible for FY 2009 grant funding. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2009 grant funding. Electronic applications must be received by November 30, 2009, to be eligible for FY 2009 grant funding. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2009 grant funding. Electronic applications must be submitted through http://www.grants.gov. |
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| The primary objective of this grant program is to help Independent Producers of Agricultural Commodities,
Agriculture Producer Groups, Farmer and Rancher Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Business Ventures develop strategies to create marketing opportunities
and to help develop Business Plans for viable marketing opportunities regarding production of bio-based products from agricultural commodities.
Grants will only be awarded if Projects are determined to be economically viable and sustainable.
USDA Rural Development is encouraging applications from Beginning Farmers or Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers, and operators of Small or Medium-Sized Farms and Ranches that are structured as a Family Farm, as defined in this notice. Priority points will be assigned to eligible applicants in those categories. As with all value-added efforts, generating new products, creating expanded marketing opportunities and increasing producer income are the end goal. |
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| Application Templates | Working Capital
Planning Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a draft application to the local Area Office for a preliminary review. Applicants may submit drafts of their applications for a preliminary review anytime prior to October 1, 2009. The preliminary review will only assess the eligibility of the application and its completeness. The results of the preliminary review are not binding on the Agency. |
| Fact Sheet | Summary of Program |
| National Office VAPG Website |
Contains information on the following:
Application process (guide, forms, template, etc) Contacts (state and national) Post Awards Previous solicitations Recipients Regulations Success stories |
| Map of Iowa Business Cooperative Specialists & Contact information | There are 11 USDA Rural Development offices in Iowa. |
| List of VAPG grant writers | None listed have been put through any type of screening or endorsement by Rural Development. |
| Regulations |
4284-J Value-Added Producer Grants (federal regulations)
4284-A General Requirements for Cooperative Services Grant Programs (federal regulations) |