Purpose: Get matching funds from the USDA Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) so you can scale your value-added farm venture. 

Designed for: Farmers who market their produce or products as organic, local, free range, grass fed, etc. OR who make a finished product from their produce. 

 
 

Making our value-added product line a reality

 
“Before working with Ellen to secure a Value Added Producer Grant from the USDA we had tomatoes rotting in the field. Every season I would think about preserving them, but I didn’t have the time to take on the work myself. Now that we have the grant, I am making our value-added product line a reality and something we are proud of.”
— Marsha Habib, Founder, Oya Organic Farm
 
 

HOW IT WORKS

We offer one-on-one grant writing services AND a grant writing mentorship program that follows three steps.

 
 
 
 
 

What’s the Big Deal About the

Value added producer grant?

Access to this cash comes through the Value-Added Producer Grant from the USDA RD.

Getting noticed in today’s marketplace is challenging and coming up with cash to put into sales and marketing can feel near impossible. 

The Value Added Producer Grant covers things you may already be paying for - like web design or product labels - or help you afford something you’ve only dreamed of - like branded produce boxes, a professionally designed logo, or silkscreened jars. 

I’ve had a 100% success rate in writing this grant - securing almost $1 million dollars in funding for small farmers.

 
 
 

Farms That Have Received Funding Working With Me!

 
 

value added producer grant webinar

Once an application cycle of the Value Added Producer Grant is announced, you’ll have 90 days to apply. Get on my list to be one of the first to know that a new funding cycle is open AND to be invited to my VAPG Grant Writing Tips webinar. I update the webinar each grant writing cycle to give you the latest information on:

  • If the grant is right for you (hint: you don’t need to sell a jarred product to qualify - you qualify even if you market your produce as local or organic)

  • Why around 32% of applications are rejected each grant cycle and how best to avoid having your project cut.

  • How to develop a project that makes your farm more profitable & gets funded

  • Tips to avoid wasted time & effort during the grant writing process

  • The biggest mistakes not to make - so  your proposal makes it to the final stack.