Ask for $30 million to fund the Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) Program

The Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) program provides competitive grants to farmers and ranchers to support value-added producer-owned businesses.  These enterprises increase farm income, create new jobs, contribute to community and rural economic development, and enhance food choices for consumers.

“Value-Added” includes products that have been processed on the farm.  It can also include a product produced and marketed in a manner that enhances its value to the consumer such as “local” or “regional” or “grass fed.”

Grants can be used for business planning or as working capital.

The 2008 Farm Bill added a new emphasis on food marketed as locally produced and placed special emphasis on strengthening the profitability and competitiveness of small and medium-sized family farms, including those seeking access to local and regional food supply networks.  These farmers can now capitalize on the increasing demand for high quality products from family farms adhering to strong environmental and social values.

Click here to read about how the Pinnows used their VAPG grant to build a market for Wisconsin lamb.

Click here to read how a farmer in Ohio used the VAPG program.

Click here to see how a farmer in Missouri used the VAPG program.

What you can do:
Please call your Senator today and urge them to ask for $30 million for VAPG for Fiscal Year 2012.

The Message is Simple: I am a constituent and am calling to urge Senator _________ to support funding of $30 million for the Value Added Producer Grant Program.  VAPG helps farmers and ranchers develop new enterprises and markets, which increase farm income and create new jobs.

Report Your Call: Please take a moment to tell us a little about the results of your call. It is helpful for us to know if you are getting through to your legislator and how they are responding to your call.  Click here to let us know how it went.

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