The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps U.S. agricultural producers enter into value-added activities that: generate new products from raw agricultural commodities; create and expand marketing opportunities; increase producer income through enhanced product value and market reach. These grants support either: planning activities (e.g., feasibility studies, business and marketing plans) up to $50,000 or working capital needs (e.g., processing, packaging, advertising, inventory, and salaries) up tpo $200,000. The matching requirement is 1:1 match (100% of the grant amount), which may include cash or eligible in-kind contributions.

NOFA-NY is an organization of farmers, gardeners, and consumers working together to create a sustainable regional food system that’s ecologically sound, socially just, and economically viable. Through demonstration and education, we promote land stewardship, organic food production, and local marketing. We bring consumer and farmer together to make high-quality food available to all people.

This guide provides an in-depth look at dozens of federal programs and policies most important to sustainable agriculture, and details how they can be accessed by farmers, ranchers, and grassroots organizations nationwide.

NSAC advocates for federal policy reform for the sustainability of food systems, natural resources, and rural communities.

The National Young Farmers Coalition is a farmer-led, grassroots network shifting power and changing policy to equitably resource the new generation of working farmers. We are the largest unified voice calling for farm policy that will deliver a bright future for young farmers and ranchers in the U.S.

Marbleseed educates, inspires, and empowers farmers to thrive in a sustainable, organic system of agriculture. Formerly known as the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), Marbleseed was established in 1995 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to supporting farmers in their transition toward sustainable, organic farming systems that are ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially just. Their website includes comprehensive resources on farm business, marketing, land access, farming, and more. They also offer and partner on a range of programs, from farmer well being and mentorship to conservation and more.

The Good Meat® Finder is a directory of farms, ranches, restaurants, butcher shops, processors, and retail outlets in the USA and Canada that commit to raising, utilizing, and selling meat that aligns with GMP's Good Meat® values. The Good Meat project believes in meat production and consumption practices that invest in healthy land, animals, and people, that embrace transparency from start to finish, and nourish and build community. We are happy to include more businesses that align with these values on the Good Meat® Finder.

Farm Commons provides legal workshops, timely resources, and a community for farmers, ranchers, and their service providers. Welcome to your home for farm law!

The American Pastured Poultry Producers Association is a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association for pastured poultry producers. While everyone is welcome to become a member, we support members who raise pastured poultry for profit or who are planning to start raising for profit.

Whether you’re trying to sell cooking classes, farmstead cheese, CSA shares, a farm stay, or something else, this chapter will walk you through best practices in marketing.

The Sheep Production & Marketing Grant Program seeks to develop solutions for practical problems on a national basis and address the needs of the entire sheep industry, while focusing on the measurable benefits for sheep producers, encouraging partnerships among other sheep industry organizations, and reducing duplication of effort among participating organizations.

The purpose of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program is to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain, to provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses, to support the development of value-added products for consumers, fair prices, fair wages, and new and safe job opportunities. RFSI provides grant funding to states, who provide competitive subawards that support producers and farm businesses in obtaining equipment or developing their middle of the supply chain infrastructure. States may also use a limited portion of funds to develop and/or strengthen supply chain coordination and targeted market development services for local and regional products.

RFSP projects help connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems. The RFSP focuses on making local or regional food economies stronger and more resilient. Eligible entities include producers, farmer or rancher cooperatives, producer networks or associations, majority-controlled producer-based business venture, community supported agriculture networks or associations, food councils, local governments, nonprofit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers market authorities, and tribal governments. Applicants must partner to promote the development of local or regional food systems. Eligible partners include state agencies or regional authorities, philanthropic corporations, institutions of higher education, private corporations, and commercial, federal or farm credit system lending institutions.

The Organic Market Development Grant (OMDG) program supports the development of new and expanded organic markets to help increase the consumption of domestic organic agricultural commodities. The program focuses on building and expanding capacity for certified organic production, aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, distribution, and development of consumer markets. OMDG aims to increase the availability and demand for domestically produced organic agricultural products and address the critical need for additional market paths.

USDA RD offer loans, grants and loan guarantees, and provides technical assistance. Many Grapevine clients have found support with VAPG and other grants through the Rural Development office in their state. The VAPG application process varies from state to state, so getting an overview of your state’s process is essential. Find your contact info for your state here.

The Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program assists currently operational meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities in obtaining a Federal Grant of Inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) or the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA); or to operate as a State-inspected facility that is compliant with FMIA or PPIA under a respective Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program.

The Local Meat Capacity Grant Program supports independently owned meat and poultry processing businesses with grant funds to provide more and better processing options for local livestock producers by modernizing, increasing, diversifying, and decentralizing meat and poultry processing capacity.

LFPP offers four types of projects, 24-month Planning, 36-month Implementation, 24-month Turnkey Marketing and Promotion, and 24-month Turnkey Recruitment and Training.

The Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) supports the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing; local and regional food markets and enterprises; and value-added agricultural products.

University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Small Farms Advisors and program staff serve as an information hub connecting small-scale farms to research and education resources of the University of California. We serve a diverse clientele including small-scale and diversified family farms; beginning, immigrant, and refugee farmers; and growers of specialty crops not covered by traditional commodity-based extension programs.