USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service has announced the 2012 Value Added Producer Grant Program (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-15/pdf/2012-20082.pdf) and http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_VAPG.html.
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 enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of bio-based value-added agricultural products. Proposals can be up to $300,000 (requires 1:1 match) and are due October 15, 2012.
Mississippi recipients from 2011:
Brinson Farms, LLC Prentiss $49,000
Wildwood Gin Inc. Greenwood $300,000
Forest Free Range, LLC Jackson $87,326
Indian Springs Farmers Association AAL Petal $24,999
We Three Bees Apiary Hattiesburg $21,500