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# Value Added Producer Grants in Montana

**Fact Sheet

Federal Register NoticeGrants.gov Posting

##             Overview          

**What does this program do?**The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income.

You may receive priority if you are:
- Beginning farmer or rancher.
- Socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher.
- Small or medium-sized farm.
- Ranch structured as a family farm.
- Farmer or rancher cooperative.
- Proposing a mid-tier value chain.

Grants are awarded through a national competition. Each fiscal year, applications are requested through a notice published in the Federal Register and through an announcement posted on Grants.gov.

VAPG is part of the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) which is an umbrella program created under the 2018 Farm Bill.  Producers can find other grant funding opportunities at the LAMP web page.

**Program Funding:** Approximately $31 million in total available funding.

**Maximum Grant Amount:** Planning Grants $75,000; Working Capital Grants: $250,000.

**Matching Funds Requirements:** Cost share match requirement of 100 percent of the grant amount required for all applications.

**Who may apply for this program?**Independent producers (includes harvesters and steering committees), agricultural producer groups, farmer- or rancher-cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures, as defined in the program regulation, are eligible to apply for this program.

**How may funds be used?**Grant and matching funds can be used for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product. Examples of planning activities include conducting feasibility studies and developing business plans for processing and marketing the proposed value-added product. Examples of working capital expenses include:
- Processing costs.
- Marketing and advertising expenses.
- Some inventory and salary expenses.

**How do I get started?**

Interested applicants are encouraged to review the materials, including application deadlines found in the Federal Register.  See the To Apply tab for guidance and important Preliminary Actions Required.  

**Who can answer questions?**If you have questions, you can contact your nearest Rural Development Office.

**Will I need to send any reports if I receive a grant?**Yes, if you receive a grant, you must send regular financial and performance reports. Your financial assistance agreement will explain how often to send the reports, what forms to use, and what information to put in the reports.

**Where can I get more information?**

The VAPG program has a regulation. It contains details about the program’s purpose, how to use grant funds, application requirements, and the selection process. Remember to read the Federal Register notice to get all the details about how to apply.

**What law governs this program?**

The VAPG program is authorized under section 231 of the Agriculture Risk Protection Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-224), as amended by section 6203 of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018.

**NOTE:** Because citations and other information may be subject to change, please always consult the program instructions listed in the section above titled “What law governs this program?” You may also contact your local office for assistance.

##             To Apply          

Please ensure that your state is selected in the dropdown menu above to contact your local Business Programs Specialist. Speak to a Business Programs Specialist before attempting to fill out any forms or applications. This will save you valuable time in the process.

**Preliminary Actions Required**

It’s a good idea to start the registration process at least a month before any application deadline. To complete an application for this program, you must be pre-registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). The SAM application process is free, but it can take time so be sure to get this taken care of right away. If you are already registered with SAM, you do not need to do it again, ensure your registration remains active.

Before you start the SAM registration process, we suggest reading through the HELP materials available on the SAM website. After you create your account you can register your organization. Please note your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number because you will need it for your application.

Please read the Federal Register notice for the details on how to apply. Applicants should put together the required information at least a month before the application deadline. The extra time allows collection of required materials such as letters of commitment or support from organizations, a work plan and budget, and other information. 

RBCS How-To Apply Video Series for Applicants

**Application Toolkits**
                                  - Application Planning Toolkit [ docx ]
                                  - Application Working Capital Toolkit  [ docx ]

Application toolkits can be accessed through Grants.gov.

**Required Forms:**
                                  - SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance
                                  - SF-424A Budget Information 
                                  - SF-424A Instructions

**VAPG Information**
                                  - Harvester Applicants [ PDF ]
                                  - Locally Produced Food [ PDF ]
                                  - Mid-Tier Value Chains [ PDF ]
                                  - Anaerobic Digesters [ PDF ]
                                  - VAPG/LAMP Award Data by State Office, 2020-2022 [ PDF ]

##             Other Requirements          

There are no additional requirements at the national level. 

##             Contact          

**Rural Development Offices in Montana**

**State Office, Bozeman**:(406) 585-2580 – Phone(855) 576-2674 - Fax2Mail2229 Boot Hill CourtBozeman, Montana 59715-7914

**Bozeman Area Office**:(406) 585-2530 - Phone(855) 576-2672 - Fax2Mail2229 Boot Hill CourtBozeman, Montana 59715-7914

**Billings Area Office**:(406) 657-6297 - Phone(855) 576-2671 - Fax2Mail1400 S 24th Street WSuite 8Billings, MT 59102

**Great Falls Office**:(406) 727-7580 - Phone(866) 574-1071 - Fax2Mail12 3rd Street NWSuite 300Great Falls, MT 59404

**Helena Sub-Area Office**:(406) 449-5000 - Phone(855) 576-2675 - Fax2Mail790 Colleen StreetHelena, MT 59601

**Kalispell Area Office**:(406) 756-2005 - Phone(855) 756-2678 - Fax2Mail450 Corporate DriveSuite 111Kalispell, MT 59901

**Missoula Area Office**:(406) 829-3395 - Phone(855) 576-2679 - Fax2Mail3550 Mullan RoadSuite 106Missoula, MT 59808-5125

##             Events