USDA Seeks Applications to Help Farmers and Ranchers Venture into New and Better Markets

Jan 22, 2024

USDA today announced that the Agency is accepting applications for grants to help agricultural producers maximize the value of their products and venture into new and better markets.

USDA is making the grants available under the Value-Added Producer Grants program. The grants help farmers and ranchers generate new products, create marketing opportunities, and increase their incomes through value-added activities.

Maximiliano J. Trujillo-Ortega, USDA Rural Development Puerto Rico State Director indicated that eligible applicants include independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.

USDA may award up to $75,000 for planning activities or up to $250,000 for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product.

In 2023 Rural Development Puerto Rico awarded $770,000 to four agricultural projects in the island. The projects where: Finca Luis Roig Inc., in Yauco, Nestor Reyes Farm & Associate Inc., in Rio Grande, Loyd Sanabria-Hernandez in Salinas and De Mi Tierra A Mi Pueblo Corp., in Caguas.

Planning activities may include conducting feasibility studies and developing business plans. Working capital expenses may include costs associated with processing, marketing, advertising, inventory and salaries.

USDA is particularly interested in applications that will advance Biden-Harris Administration priorities to:

Reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities.
Ensure all rural residents have equitable access to Rural Development (RD) programs and benefits from RD-funded projects; and
Help rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure.

Paper applications must be postmarked and delivered by mail, email or in person to the state office where the project is proposed by close of business on April 16, 2024. Electronic applications will be accepted via Grants.gov until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 11, 2024.

Source : usda.gov

Video: Veteran Farmers: A Legacy of Service in Rural America

Veterans Day is a time to honor the men and women who have selflessly protected our freedoms and values. And for some, the transition from military service to civilian life brings them back to the farm.

At Farm Bureau, we believe it’s important to not only celebrate veterans but also those who continue to make a difference in agriculture and their community. We've partnered with Farm Credit to establish the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence to shine a light on those who have continued to go above and beyond to serve their communities.

This year, we recognize retired Colonel Joe Ricker as the inaugural Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence winner. Joe served over 30 years in the Army before retiring from the Pentagon and completing tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Since leaving the Army, his commitment to excellence in farming and enriching the lives of veterans has blossomed in a myriad of ways in both his local community of Wilkinson, Indiana, and across the country. Joe grows apples and raises bees on his farm in Indiana. Joe founded “Veterans IN Farming,” an organization, now with more than 1,100 members, dedicated to providing veterans in Indiana with the tools and training to succeed in agriculture.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is an independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization, comprised of and directed by farm and ranch families who engage in all types of food, fuel and fiber production.