What is a Value-Added Producer Grant?

A USDA grant helping agricultural producers create and market value-added products — for example turning raw crops into packaged goods — to increase revenue.

Do I have to be in a rural area?

For most USDA Rural Development programs, yes — eligibility is tied to rural population thresholds. Check the specific program’s definition.

INDUSTRY

Government Grants for Agriculture & Rural Business

Agriculture and rural businesses access funding primarily through the USDA — Rural Development (RBDG, community facilities), NIFA (research and education), Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG), and the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Programs fund farms, food enterprises, and rural infrastructure.

USDA program families

USDA Rural Development finances business, infrastructure, and community facilities in rural areas. NIFA funds agricultural research and education. VAPG helps producers add value to their products, and REAP funds rural renewable energy and efficiency.

Qualifying

Many programs are geographically restricted to rural areas (by population thresholds) and require SAM.gov registration for federal awards. Cooperative extension offices and USDA state offices are valuable local guides.

Frequently asked questions

Find grants you qualify for — free

Register once and our original live matching engine checks every federal and state source against your profile, then alerts you the moment you qualify.