Opportunity Information: Apply for RDBCP 11 02 VAPG
Apply for RDBCP 11 02 VAPG
- The Business and Cooperative Programs in the agriculture 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 Value Added Producer Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 12, 2011 and posted on Aug 12, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 29, 2011 Applications may be submitted either on paper or electronically by August 29, 2011. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2011 grant funding.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $37,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 250 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Individuals Small businesses.
- Eligible applicants areIndependent Producers Farmer or Rancher Cooperatives Agricultural Producer Group and Majority Controlled Producer Based Business Ventures
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Opportunity Summary:
The Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG), funding opportunity number RDBCP 11 02 VAPG, is a discretionary federal grant program administered through USDA Rural Development's Business and Cooperative Programs. Its core purpose is to help agricultural producers move beyond selling raw commodities by supporting the planning and strategy work needed to develop and capture new markets for value-added products. In this specific announcement, the emphasis is on helping eligible producers develop strategies and business plans tied to viable marketing opportunities, including opportunities connected to producing bio-based products derived from agricultural commodities.
The program is designed for several producer-centered applicant types: Independent Producers of agricultural commodities, Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer or Rancher Cooperatives, and Majority Controlled Producer Based Business Ventures. The eligible applicant categories listed also include individuals and small businesses, aligning with the producer-focused intent of the program. In practical terms, the program targets producer-led efforts where farmers, ranchers, or producer organizations are building a structured path to add value through processing, differentiation, branding, or entering new channels, with an expectation that the work will support a credible and sustainable market opportunity rather than a speculative idea.
This funding opportunity was posted on August 12, 2011, with an application deadline of August 29, 2011. Applications could be submitted either on paper or electronically by that date, and the notice makes clear that late applications would not be considered for FY 2011 funding. The archive date for the opportunity is September 28, 2011, indicating it is a past-cycle announcement rather than a currently open competition.
In terms of funding scale, the announcement indicates an estimated total funding amount of $37,000,000 and an expected 250 awards. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $300,000. The program includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were expected to contribute non-federal resources alongside grant funds as part of the overall project financing plan. The listing identifies the CFDA number as 10.352, which corresponds to Value-Added Producer Grants.
For prospective applicants needing more details from the full announcement or experiencing access issues, the listed program contact for this opportunity is Tracey Kennedy, Program Manager, reachable by phone at 202-720-8460. The notice also references an additional information link labeled "Program Information," which would typically include program guidance, application instructions, and any specific requirements for the grant cycle described in the announcement.
Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) - FAQs
What is the Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG)?
The Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) is a discretionary federal grant program administered through USDA Rural Development's Business and Cooperative Programs. It is intended to help agricultural producers move beyond selling raw commodities by supporting planning and strategy work needed to develop and capture new markets for value-added products.
What is the funding opportunity number for this announcement?
The funding opportunity number listed for this announcement is RDBCP 11 02 VAPG.
What is the main purpose of this specific VAPG announcement?
This announcement emphasizes helping eligible producers develop strategies and business plans tied to viable marketing opportunities. It also highlights opportunities connected to producing bio-based products derived from agricultural commodities.
What kinds of activities does this opportunity support?
Based on the description provided, the opportunity supports planning and strategy work, including developing strategies and business plans that align with viable marketing opportunities for value-added products.
What does "value-added" mean in the context of this grant?
In this context, "value-added" refers to producer-led efforts to add value beyond raw commodity sales, such as through processing, differentiation, branding, or entering new market channels, with the expectation that the effort is connected to a credible and sustainable market opportunity.
Who can apply for this grant?
The program is designed for producer-centered applicant types, including:
- Independent Producers of agricultural commodities
- Agricultural Producer Groups
- Farmer or Rancher Cooperatives
- Majority Controlled Producer Based Business Ventures
The eligible applicant categories listed also include individuals and small businesses, consistent with the producer-focused intent of the program.
Is this grant intended for producer-led projects?
Yes. The description emphasizes producer-led efforts where farmers, ranchers, or producer organizations build a structured path to add value and develop viable market opportunities, rather than pursuing speculative ideas.
When was this opportunity posted?
This funding opportunity was posted on August 12, 2011.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline for this announcement was August 29, 2011.
Were late applications accepted?
No. The notice specifies that late applications would not be considered for FY 2011 funding.
How could applications be submitted?
Applications could be submitted either on paper or electronically by the deadline stated in the announcement.
Is this a currently open funding opportunity?
No. The opportunity is described as a past-cycle announcement. It has an archive date of September 28, 2011.
What is the estimated total funding amount for this announcement?
The estimated total funding amount listed is $37,000,000.
How many awards were expected under this announcement?
The announcement lists an expected 250 awards.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling (maximum award amount) is $300,000.
Is there a matching or cost-share requirement?
Yes. The program includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were expected to contribute non-federal resources alongside grant funds as part of the overall project financing plan.
What is the CFDA number for VAPG?
The CFDA number listed is 10.352, which corresponds to Value-Added Producer Grants.
Where is the program administered?
The program is administered through USDA Rural Development's Business and Cooperative Programs.
Does this announcement mention bio-based products?
Yes. The description notes an emphasis on opportunities connected to producing bio-based products derived from agricultural commodities.
Who is the contact person for this opportunity?
The listed program contact is Tracey Kennedy, Program Manager.
How can the program contact be reached?
Tracey Kennedy can be reached by phone at 202-720-8460.
What should applicants do if they need more details or have access issues?
The notice indicates that prospective applicants needing more details from the full announcement or experiencing access issues can use the listed program contact. It also references an additional information link labeled "Program Information," which would typically provide program guidance, application instructions, and cycle-specific requirements.
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| Value Added Producer Grant Program Apply for RDBCP 2012 VAPG Funding Number: RDBCP 2012 VAPG Agency: Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Agriculture Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Apply for USDA NIFA FBMB 004268 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FBMB 004268 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $1,300,000 |
| Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant Apply for RDBCP SSDPG 2014 Funding Number: RDBCP SSDPG 2014 Agency: Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Agriculture Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Rural Cooperative Development Grant Apply for RDBCP RCDG 2014 Funding Number: RDBCP RCDG 2014 Agency: Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Agriculture Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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| Rural Business Opportunity Grant Apply for RDBCP 10 01 RBOG Funding Number: RDBCP 10 01 RBOG Agency: Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Agriculture Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA FBMB 003180 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FBMB 003180 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $1,400,000 |
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