The Rural Business-Cooperative Service is accepting applications for its Value-Added Producer Grants.
Donor Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/15/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps U.S. agricultural producers enter into value-added activities that:
- Generate new products from raw agricultural commodities
- Create and expand marketing opportunities
- Increase producer income through enhanced product value and market reach
These grants support either:
- Planning activities (e.g., feasibility studies, business and marketing plans)
- Working capital needs (e.g., processing, packaging, advertising, inventory, and salaries)
Priorities
Applicants may receive priority consideration if they meet any of the following criteria:
- Beginning farmer or rancher
- Veteran farmer or rancher
- Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher
- Small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm
- Farmer or rancher cooperative
- Proposing a Mid-Tier Value Chain project
Additionally, 10% of total funds are reserved for:
- Beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers/ranchers
- Mid-tier value chain proposals
- Food safety projects where the majority of funds improve market access
Funding Information
- Total Available Funding: Approximately $25 million
- Maximum Grant Amounts:
- Planning Grants: Up to $50,000
- Working Capital Grants: Up to $200,000
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include:
- Agricultural producers (including harvesters and steering committees)
- Agricultural producer groups
- Farmer- or rancher-cooperatives
- Majority-controlled producer-based business ventures
Applicants must demonstrate that they:
- Own and produce more than 50% of the raw commodity
- Will retain greater revenue from the value-added product than from the raw commodity alone
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
