USDA Value-Added Producer Grants for NH Farmers.

USDA Value-Added Producer Grants Available.

 

USDA Announces Rural Development Value-Added Producer Grants

Agricultural Producers Eligible for $250,000 In Grants.

Montpelier, Vt., May 15, 2015 - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking farmers and producers interested in turning their agricultural commodities into new products. The USDA Rural Development Value-Added Producer Grant program provides farmers with up to $250,000 in working capital or feasibility funding to turn raw agricultural products into finished products that increase producer profitability and create jobs. The deadline for grant submissions is July 7th.

"USDA Rural Development wants to help farmers capture a larger share of the growing local food movement," said USDA Rural Development Vermont and New Hampshire State Director Ted Brady. "The Value Added Producer Grant Program helps farmers do just that by providing grant funds to help turn things like apples into pie, milk into yogurt, meats into sausage or berries into jam."

Brady announced that a new promotional video [https://youtu.be/CGkmWO2Vw-c] inviting Vermont and New Hampshire producers to apply for the Value Added Producer Grant program was published Friday. The video features successful USDA clients, including 2012 Value-Added Producer Grant recipient Green Mountain Organic Dairy, which opened Kimball Brook Farms Creamery in Hinesburg with the help of the grant.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced last week that more than $30 million would be available nationwide for the grant program. Brady noted that the funding available this year increased from FY14 thanks to Congressional support from Vermont and New Hampshire's Congressional Delegation in the 2014 Farm Bill. Brady said he hoped this would encourage more producers in Vermont and New Hampshire to apply.

Last year, USDA Rural Development awarded more than $500,000 to Vermont and New Hampshire producers through the Value-Added Producer Grant program:
  • Sweet Rowen Farmstead, West Glover, Vermont: $24,661 to help pay for food safety consulting, food labeling consulting and the development of nutritional labels for their on-farm bottled milk.
  • North Hollow Farm, Rochester, Vermont: $161,204 to help the farm cover operating costs of increasing expenses associated with increased production of livestock.
  • Miles Smith Farm, Loudon, New Hampshire: $127,732 to provide working capital to produce and distribute fresh, organic, grass-fed beef and pork mix burgers.
  • East Shore Vineyard, Grand Isle, Vermont: $244,913 to improve marketing, promotion, advertising, and packaging of East Shore Vineyard wines.
  • For more information about the Value-Added Producer Grant program, go to rd.usda.gov/vt or rd.usda.gov/nh. A copy of the May 8th Notice of Funds Available is available on page 26528 of the May 8th Federal Register. To speak with Susi Poland, Loan Specialist, about submitting a proposal call (802) 828-6002.

    USDA, through its RD mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $206 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural areas.

     

    Scheduled Events

      Seussical   (9/6-15)
      2001 Space Odyssey   (9/7)
      Muster in the Mountains   (9/7-9)
      Wingzilla   (9/8)
      Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino   (9/9)
      Things [Mom] Taught Me   (9/13-23)
      Reach the Beach   (9/14-15)
      WM Storytelling Festival   (9/14-16)
      Metallak Race   (9/15)
      Mandeville & Richards   (9/15)
      Cohase Film Slam   (9/16)
      Tricycle Grand Prix  (9/16)
      Rodney Crowell   (9/21)
      NH Highland Games   (9/21-23)
      Don Who   (9/22)
      Harvest Celebration   (9/22)
      Health & Wellness Fair   (9/22)
      Jeep Invasion  (9/22)
      Lakes Region Tri Festival   (9/22-23)
      Pat Metheny   (9/26)
      Driving Miss Daisy   (9/27 - 10/6)
      Neko Case   (9/27)
      Shot of JD   (9/28)
      Dixville Half Marathon   (9/29)
      New Hampshire Marathon   (9/29)
      Matthew Odell   (9/30)
      Lincoln Fall Craft Festival   (10/6&7)
      Sparrow Blue & Crowes Pasture   (10/6)
      Oktoberfest  (10/6-7)
      White Mountain Oktoberfest   (10/6-7)
      Fall Foliage Celebration   (10/6-8)
      Sandwich Fair   (10/6-8)
      Paddle the Border   (10/7)
      Lincoln Fall Craft Festival   (10/7-9)
      Shadow Play   (10/10)
      Killer Joe   (10/11-21)
      Greg Brown   (10/12)
      Camping & RV Show   (10/12-14)
      Riverfire & Horrorfest   (10/13)
      Jay Stollman Band   (10/19)
      Murder Dinner Train   (10/19-20)
      Pumpkin Patch Express   (10/19-21)
      All Things Pumpkin   (10/20)
      Ethan Setiawan Band   (10/20)
      Bettye LaVette   (10/26)
      Murder Dinner Train   (10/26-27)
      Pumpkin Patch Express   (10/26-28)
      Berlin Jazz   (10/27)

     ◄ Expanded Calendar ►



    Photo Galleries

     

    Miss Berlin-Gorham Competition 2012 New England Brewfest 2014 RiverFire, Berlin, NH 2012 Sugar Hill Lupine Festival Gallery 2012 Bristol-Gorham Foliage
    Quick Links

     






    Business Directory

     

     

                          more ►  

     

     

    Attractions

     


    Area Attractions opening/closing schedules.


      Alpine Adventures
      Clark's Trading Post
      Cog Railway
      Conway Scenic Railroad
      Flume
      Fort Jefferson Fun Park
      Jericho Mountain ATV Park
      Kancamagus Highway
      Littleton Riverwalk
      Lost River Gorge
      Mountain Meadow Funplex
      Mt. Washington Auto Road
      Polar Caves
      Santa's Village
      Storyland
      Vertical Ventures
      Whale's Tail Water Park
      Woodstock Inn & Brewery

     

    more ►  

     

    Community Profiles

     

      Bethlehem
      Bretton Woods
      Colebrook
      Conway
      Franconia
      Gorham
      Hanover
      Jackson
      Lebanon
      Lincoln
      Littleton
      North Conway
      Pittsburg
      Plymouth
      Twin Mountain
      Whitefield
      Wolfeboro

    more ►  

     

    Recreation and Tourism

     

      25 Great Summer Adventures
      Farm To Table Restaurants
      Hiking To Crash Sites
      Little Ski Areas
      Local Movie Theaters
      Local Performance Theaters
      Moose Tours

     

    more ►  

     

    Other Resources

      NH Cabins & Cottages
      NH Census Info
      NH Data (OEP)
      NH Fishing Reports
      NH Foliage Report
      NH Hiking Trail Conditions
      NH Lottery
      NH Movie Guide
      NH Road Conditions
      NH Ski Reports
      NH Snowmobile Trail Reports
      NH State Parks
      NH Town Officials Directory
      NH Weather
      Summer Safety Tips [.pdf]
      White Mtn. National Forest
      VisitNH.Gov

     

     

     

    Copyright 2012-2018 by George C. Jobel, 603-491-4340. All Rights Reserved.