VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANTS - A grant program offered
by the USDA's Rural Development - Business and Cooperative
Program.  2009 Program was announced but has since been
withdrawn for re-writing. The program rules are expected
to be re-issued in late summer 2009 and will contain some
important changes.  Once re-issued, expect a 90-day
submission period.  
VAPG Program focuses on enabling producers to develop
businesses that produce and market value-added agriculture
products.

Stated goal of VAPG is "to help accelerate the pace of the
transformation of the nation's agricultural economy into one
focused on producer-owned value-added businesses." (USDA
brochure)

Rose Consulting Service,Inc. is available to prepare VAPG
applications for:

Planning Activity Grants (up to $100,000) - available to fund
planning activities such as feasibility studies and development
of business plans for processing and marketing value-added
products.

Working Capital Grants (up to $300,000) - available to fund
working capital expenses for processing and marketing value-
added agriculture products including inventory, salaries and
office supplies.
                               kellye (at) roseconserve.com
Local 952.808.0315                                                            Tollfree 1.866.357.4315

2007 VAPG competition
results -
Of all the 381
applications submitted,
the grant proposal
written by Rose
Consulting on behalf of
Root River Hardwoods
Inc (Preston MN) was
the highest scoring
proposal in the
program, nationwide!

To date, RCS Inc has
a 100% success rate
with VAPG
applications.
2008 competition totals - $19.7 Million in funded was awarded to
                  44 projects nationwide.  
2007 competition - $22 Million in funding, 62 projects nationwide.