HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-19-24 Correspondence - US Dept of Agriculture - USDA Seeks Applications to Help Farmers and Ranchers Venture into New and Better MarketsFrom:Rural DevelopmentTo:AgendaSubject:[EXTERNAL]USDA Seeks Applications to Help Farmers and Ranchers Venture into New and Better MarketsDate:Wednesday, January 17, 2024 8:45:38 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
US Department of Agriculture Rural Development - Together America Prospers
STAKEHOLDER ANNOUNCEMENT
USDA Seeks Applications to Help Farmers and RanchersVenture into New and Better Markets
Bozeman, Mont., Jan. 17, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today
announced that USDA 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.
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.
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.
Applications for 2024 grants are now being accepted.
Paper applications must be postmarked and delivered by mail, email or in person to one of
Montana's six offices by 4:30 p.m., Mountain Time, April 16, 2024. Electronic applications
are due by 9:59 p.m. Mountain Time, April 11, 2024.
Additional information is available on page 2919 of the Jan. 17 Federal Register.
For more information or to apply here in Montana, contact USDA Rural Development
Agriculture Producer State Specialist Marlee Johnston, at marlee.johnston@usda.gov.
If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery
subscriber page.
-30-
USDA Rural Development has six offices in Montana – Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls,
Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. To learn more about investment resources for rural and
Tribal areas in Montana, call (406) 585-2587 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/mt.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Questions?
Contact Us
STAY CONNECTED:
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Preferences | Help
This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any
unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law
and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please
notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
This email was sent to agenda@bozeman.net by USDA Rural Development · 1400 Independence Ave SW ·Washington DC 20250 · 800-670-6553