MORGANTOWN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development West Virginia announced on Tuesday that $136,134 in grant funding will be invested for farms and agriculture producers through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development West Virginia State Director, Ryan Thorn commented on the potential benefits of the program.
“West Virginia’s small agricultural producers are vital to our food supply and local economies. Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant Program helps producers develop innovative products, develop, new packaging, improve operational efficiencies, and ultimately generate additional income by expanding their product offerings and marketing that product to a new customer base,” Thorn said.
“These VAPG investments are a testament of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to supporting small businesses and Rural Development’s continued priority of creating new opportunities for our rural communities from the bottom-up and middle-out.”
Up to $250,000 will be provided to agricultural producers seeking to turn their commodities into profitable product through the Value-Added Producer Grant program. Grant funds may be used to fund fifty percent of a project’s cost. This includes working capital to assist in the producing or marketing of the product, as well as funds to facilitate a feasibility study.
Mon Valley Mushrooms will receive a $20,000 VAPG grant which will improve techniques for processing in the production of gourmet and medicinal mushroom products.
Sunset Berry Farms of Monroe County will utilize a $49,999 VAPG grant to expand upon its customer base to markets across the southern West Virginia region.
Hampshire County’s Margoah Farm will receive a VAPG grant in the amount of $19,441. This will be used for the purchase of supplies in relation to the packaging and processing of frozen vegetable items.
Finally, Riffle Farms of Preston County will use a $46,694 VAPG grand fund amount to increase marketing and production of bison meatballs, as well as to expand its base of customers.
