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 to provide working capital.
The 2008 Farm Bill significantly expanded the purposes of the VAPG program. It added a new emphasis on food marketed as locally produced and it places special emphasis on strengthening the profitability and competitiveness of small and medium sized family farmers 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.
The program now offers a simplified application form and process for small projects requesting less than $50,000.
What you can do:
Please call your Representatives and Senators today and urge them to ask for $30 million for VAPG for Fiscal Year 2011.
The Message is Simple: I am a constituent and am calling to urge Congressman _________ to support funding of $30 million for the Value Added Producer Grant Program. VAPG helps farmers and ranchers develop new enterprises and markets, which will increase farm income and create new jobs.
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