Value-Added Producer Grant

Overview

• Type

  Grant

• Title

  Value-Added Producer Grant

• Source

  US Department of Agriculture

• Federal or State

  Federal

• Total Amount

  $25,000,000

• Number of Awards

  190

• Award Range

  $0 - $200,000

• Cost Share

  Yes

• Status

  Active

Topics

Agriculture

Resilience

Eligibility

• Audience

  Agriculture, Businesses, Individuals, Nonprofits, Tribes

• Sector

  Agriculture, Resilience

• Activity

  Equipment Purchase

• Eligibility

  Eligible Entities

  • Agricultural Producers
  • Agricultural Producer Groups
  • Farmer or Rancher Cooperatives
  • Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Businesses

  Eligible applicants must demonstrate that they 1) Own and produce more than 50% of the raw commodity, 2) Will retain greater revenue from the value-added product than from the raw commodity alone

  Eligible Activities

  The VAPG program helps U.S. agricultural producers enter into value-added activities that 1) Generate new products from raw agricultural commodities, 2) Create and expand marketing opportunities, and/or 3) 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)

• Location

  National

Application Process

• Application Link

  Apply Now

• Pre-Application?

  No

• Requirements

  A 1:1 match is required (100% of the grant amount), which may include cash or eligible in-kind contributions.

  Applicants may receive priority consideration if they are a 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; or proposing a Mid-Tier Value Chain project.

  A Self-Assessment Survey is available to help determine your eligibility. It is strongly encouraged before beginning the application process: Take the VAPG Self-Assessment Survey

• Disbursement Method

  Unspecified

Important Dates

• Application Open Date

  Jan 15, 2026

• Application Close Date

  Apr 15, 2026

• Application Close Time

  12:00 AM PST

• Publish Date

  Jan 15, 2026

Resources & Contacts

• Contact

  Northwest Washington – Island, King, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties
  Lucas Moser
  509-415-3819
  lucas.moser@usda.gov

  Southwest Washington – Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties 

  Jeff Peterson,
  360-704-7729
  jeff.peterson@usda.gov

  Northeastern Washington – Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Stevens, & Spokane counties. 

  Hannah Fletcher
  509-415-3819
  hannah.fletcher@usda.gov

  Mika McLean
  509-415-3825
  mika.mclean@usda.gov

  Southeastern Washington – Adams, Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Walla Walla, and Yakima counties. 

  Kimberly Miller
  509-367-8560
  Kimberly.miller1@usda.gov

• Resources

  • Grant Application Portal
  • VAPG Self-Assessment
  • VAPG Website
  • USDA eAuthentication