USDA has awarded 162 grants through the Value-Added Producer Grant program totaling $22.7 million. The grants will go to individuals and organizations in 40 states and Puerto Rico.
"These grants support farm families in rural America by helping them market their commodities and increase their financial returns," Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns says. "I'm also pleased that some of these funds will help develop alternative fuels from renewable energy sources as part of President Bush's comprehensive national energy policy."
Value-added products are processed or prepared in a way that increases its value to a consumer. These funds can be used as working capital to market value-added agricultural products or farm-based renewable energy projects. They can also be used for planning purposes of a future value-added enterprise.
A complete list of grant recipients is available at USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.
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