The U-S Department of Agriculture Rural Development has announced the availability of approximately $31 million in funding for projects as part of the Value-Added Producer Grants Program. Kalee Olson with the Center for Rural Affairs says the program offers producers the opportunity to expand on their entrepreneurial spirit. She offers some examples of how the value-added program may work.
Olson says there are two types of available grants…planning grants of up to $75,000 and Working Capital grants with available funding up to $250,000.
The Center for Rural Affairs policy associate says the “Working Capital” grant focuses on product development costs.
Olson says the working capital grants can be used for expanding processing, packaging and labeling, and even promotional materials.
