Opportunity Information: Apply for RDBCP VAPG 2016

  • The USDA-rbcs in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Value Added Producer Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.352.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Apr 08, 2016 and posted on Apr 08, 2016.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 24, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 400 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
Apply for RDBCP VAPG 2016

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Opportunity Summary:

The Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) is a USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service (USDA-RBCS) funding opportunity for fiscal year 2016 designed to help agricultural producers move beyond selling raw commodities and instead earn more by developing and marketing value-added products. In practical terms, the program supports producers who want to change how they process, package, market, or otherwise differentiate what they grow or raise so they can capture a larger share of the consumer dollar. The FY 2016 notice indicates that roughly $44 million is available nationwide to support these kinds of value-added business efforts.

This opportunity is offered as a mandatory grant program under the federal assistance listing CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) 10.352, and it falls under the "Business and Commerce" activity category. The program anticipates making a large number of awards, with an estimated 400 grants expected. Individual awards can be as high as $250,000 (the award ceiling), which signals that the program is structured to fund many small-to-mid-sized producer projects rather than a few very large ones.

Applications for this FY 2016 funding round were accepted with a closing date of June 24, 2016 (the original and current closing dates match, indicating there was no extension reflected in the posted data). The notice was created and posted on April 8, 2016, giving applicants a defined window to prepare proposals. The funding opportunity number is listed as RDBCP VAPG 2016, which applicants would use to locate the full announcement and application package in government systems and to reference the correct competition when submitting materials.

Eligibility is summarized broadly as "Others," with the announcement pointing applicants to an additional eligibility section for specifics. Generally, VAPG competitions are aimed at agricultural producers and producer-controlled entities pursuing value-added activities, so the detailed eligibility language in the full notice would be important for confirming whether an individual producer, a group, a cooperative, or another producer-based business structure qualifies for this round. Overall, the main purpose of the FY 2016 VAPG notice is to provide grant funding that helps producers plan, start, or expand value-added ventures that can improve farm income, strengthen rural businesses, and build market opportunities tied directly to agricultural production.

Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) FY 2016 FAQs

What is the Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) FY 2016 opportunity?

The Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) is a USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service (USDA-RBCS) grant opportunity for fiscal year 2016. It is designed to help agricultural producers move beyond selling raw commodities by developing and marketing value-added products, with the goal of increasing producer income and capturing a larger share of the consumer dollar.

Who is the funding agency for this grant?

The funding agency is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifically the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (USDA-RBCS).

What is the main goal of the VAPG program as described in the FY 2016 notice?

The main goal is to support agricultural producers who want to change how they process, package, market, or otherwise differentiate what they grow or raise so they can earn more than they would by selling raw commodities alone.

What kinds of projects does this program support?

Based on the notice description, the program supports producer efforts to plan, start, or expand value-added ventures. These ventures may involve new or improved processing, packaging, marketing, or other forms of product differentiation tied directly to agricultural production.

How much funding is available nationwide for FY 2016?

The FY 2016 notice indicates that roughly $44 million is available nationwide to support value-added business efforts under this program.

How many awards does the program expect to make?

The program anticipates making a large number of awards, with an estimated 400 grants expected for FY 2016.

What is the maximum grant amount (award ceiling) for an individual award?

The award ceiling is $250,000 per grant.

Does the award ceiling suggest what size projects this program is meant to fund?

Yes. An individual award ceiling of $250,000, combined with an expectation of many awards, suggests the program is structured to fund many small-to-mid-sized producer projects rather than a few very large ones.

What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?

This opportunity is listed under CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) 10.352.

What is the activity category for this grant opportunity?

The opportunity falls under the "Business and Commerce" activity category.

What is the funding opportunity number for the FY 2016 VAPG notice?

The funding opportunity number is RDBCP VAPG 2016. This is the identifier applicants would use to locate the announcement and reference the correct competition when applying.

When was the FY 2016 notice posted?

The notice was created and posted on April 8, 2016.

What was the application closing date for FY 2016?

Applications were accepted with a closing date of June 24, 2016.

Was there an extension to the application deadline?

The posted information indicates the original and current closing dates match, which suggests there was no extension reflected in the posted data.

How long was the application window based on the posted and closing dates?

Based on the notice posting date (April 8, 2016) and closing date (June 24, 2016), applicants had a defined window of time during that period to prepare and submit proposals.

Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?

Eligibility is summarized broadly as "Others," with the announcement pointing applicants to an additional eligibility section for specifics. The posted information also notes that VAPG competitions are generally aimed at agricultural producers and producer-controlled entities pursuing value-added activities, but the detailed eligibility language in the full notice would be important for confirming eligibility for this round.

Does the posted information specify exactly which business structures qualify (individuals, cooperatives, groups, etc.)?

No. The posted summary does not list specific eligible entity types beyond "Others" and a reference to an additional eligibility section. It does indicate that VAPG programs are generally aimed at agricultural producers and producer-controlled entities, which can include individual producers, groups, cooperatives, or other producer-based business structures, but the exact eligibility details are not included in the provided text.

What does "value-added" mean in the context of this program?

In the context of the FY 2016 notice description, "value-added" refers to activities that help producers earn more than they would from selling raw commodities alone by changing how products are processed, packaged, marketed, or differentiated in the marketplace.

What outcomes is the program intended to support for producers and rural communities?

The notice describes the purpose as helping producers plan, start, or expand value-added ventures that can improve farm income, strengthen rural businesses, and build market opportunities tied directly to agricultural production.

Is this a grant program or another type of financial assistance?

This is a grant program. The opportunity is described as a mandatory grant program under Assistance Listing 10.352.

What does it mean that the program is offered as a "mandatory grant program"?

The provided information states the opportunity is offered as a mandatory grant program, but it does not further define the term in the text provided.

What fiscal year does this specific opportunity cover?

This particular notice and funding round are for fiscal year 2016 (FY 2016).

Where should applicants look to confirm full requirements and eligibility details?

The posted summary indicates that applicants should consult the additional eligibility section referenced in the announcement. The funding opportunity number (RDBCP VAPG 2016) is the key identifier to locate the full announcement and application package in government systems.

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