The Complete VAPG Guide for Farmers

Turn your idea into a fundable project with clarity, confidence, and a plan that checks every box.

This 57-page guide walks you through designing a project that aligns with VAPG requirements, gathering the right documentation without the overwhelm, and crafting a narrative that tells a compelling, competitive story.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining an existing concept, you’ll have everything you need to submit a strong, complete application.

Straightforward Grant Advice from Someone Who’s Secured $5M+ for Small Farmers

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A Look Inside

Meet every application requirement with a structured approach that ensures nothing is missed.

Plan: Define a Project Worth Funding

Determine your COGS and prove your project adds value
Create realistic & achievable growth targets
Project your breakeven and program income

Collect: Gather Supporting Information & Documentation

Use letters of support to bolster your arguments
Prove your project’s feasibility through research & analysis

Budget: Develop a Viable Project Budget & Timeline

Build out a budget that is eligible for funding and flexible

Write: Weave a STELLAR Narrative

Write a clear narrative that speaks directly to what reviewers are looking for and keeps them engaged from start to finish.

Submit: Prepare a Complete Application

Prepare your final application without leaving anything out

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Ready to Apply for a Grant?

Ensure you have everything you need to prepare an application worth funding.

This step-by-step workbook includes:

Explanations of key terms and funding priorities
Calculations that show your project adds value to your commodity
Budget examples to show effective matching funds
Step-by-step guidance for building an eligible budget
A roadmap for writing a compelling narrative
Strategies to make your project stand out to reviewers
Templates to define your project’s main objectives
Tips for collecting strong research and letters of commitment
Advice for avoiding common application mistakes
Final application prep process to submit with confidence

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A Proven Framework

Getting noticed in today’s marketplace is challenging, and finding the money to invest in growth can feel nearly impossible. The Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) can help cover a wide range of expenses, including marketing, processing, and distribution costs.

Whether you’re trying to sell more effectively or scale production, this funding can support the next step in your farm food business.

The guidebook is built around a five-phase approach used to secure over $7 million for small farmers through the Value Added Producer Grant program.

Now available to you as a standalone resource. You’ll get the same proven framework used to secure millions in funding, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence at your own pace.

About Ellen: From Field to Grant Writer

I help farmers turn ideas into funded projects through the Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG). Since founding Ellen Rawley Creative & Strategy in 2016, I’ve secured over $5 million in federal grant funding for farm businesses and $3 million for farm support organizations.

I know what it’s like to be in the trenches: hand-harvesting rice in Thailand, selling lettuce at the Ferry Building Farmers’ Market, and launching a jam line for McEvoy Ranch taught me what it takes to grow crops and sales. I’ve helped launch countless farm products, with features in Martha Stewart’s American Made Shop, Food & Wine Magazine, Oprah’s favorite things, and even on national television.

When I started writing VAPG applications, it was messy. Projects were funded, but, woah, talk about overwhelming! That’s when I built a process to systematically turn ideas into fully funded applications. Now, I write multiple grants in months and teach farmers to do the same. Faster, clearer, and less stress. That’s my motto.

A few of the many Farms That Have Received Funding Working With Me

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