USDA Rural Development Business Programs are now accepting applications for agricultural producers, lenders with clients working in food supply chain activities, and meat processors. These funds come in the form of grants and loans.
Value-Added Producer Grant: Paper applications must be postmarked by May 2, 2022. Electronic submissions must be received on April 25, 2022, by 11:59 PM. Agricultural producers may apply for planning grants up to $75,000 or working capital grants up to $250,000.
Learn more here, or refer to the federal register for application guidelines
Join a free training workshop here (Workshops run from March 16 to March 23, 2022)
Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan: This program provides financial support to qualified lenders whose loan applicants want to start or expand middle of the food supply chain activities such as aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesale, or distribution of food.
Learn More here.
Recorded Webinar: Click here to watch the webinar for lenders.
Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (Grant Opportunity): Applications are due April 11, 2022. The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) provides grants to help eligible processors expand their capacity. USDA Rural Development designed the MPPEP to encourage competition and sustainable growth in the U.S. meat processing sector and to help improve supply chain resiliency.
Learn More here.
Webinar Slides: Slides covering the basics of the program