USDA Programs Supporting Local Food Markets Presented by Jeff Hays Community Programs Director Jeff.Hays@az.usda.gov USDA Programs Supporting Local Food Markets

Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program Helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of bio-based, value-added products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the goals of this program. Maximum Grant Amount: $75,000 for planning grants; $250,000 for working capital grants Matching Funds Requirements: 50% of total project costs Eligible Entities Independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer- or rancher-cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures

Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program Examples: $75k grant Planning funds to conduct a feasibility study, develop a business plan and marketing study related to a cooperative for locally-raised and grass-fed cattle in a box beef program. $250k grant Working capital to market organic collard greens, kale, tomatoes and berries to local customers.  

Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) To provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups through cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers. Socially disadvantaged group - a group whose members have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities. Maximum Grant Amount: $175,000 No Matching Funds Required Eligible Entities-Cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers Eligible Activities -For technical assistance only, such as feasibility studies, business plans, strategic planning, and leadership training.

Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant Example: San Xavier Growers Assn / Leupp Family Farms / Painted Desert Demonstration Projects: Technical assistance and planning to improve skills of lower growers and expand local market opportunities.    

Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) To support targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues.

Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Grant Range: Between $10k and $60k - smaller requests are given higher priority Matching Funds Requirements: None Eligible Entities Rural public entities including, but not limited to: nonprofits, Federally-recognized Tribes, rural cooperatives, State agencies

Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Eligible Activities - Uses may include but are not limited to: Training and technical assistance Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way Construction, conversion, renovation of buildings, plants, machinery, equipment, access streets and roads, parking areas, utilities Capitalization of revolving loan funds Distance adult learning for job training and advancement Rural transportation improvement Community economic development Rural business incubators

Rural Business Development Grant Examples: Springerville Farmers Market & Coop Prescott Farmers Market Painted Desert Demonstration Projects aka Star School IDA of Gila County So Gila County San Xavier Coop  

Community Facilities Program Community Facilities Programs Community Facilities Program Provides grants and loans to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. Eligible Entities- Public bodies Community-based non-profit corporations Federally-recognized Tribes Eligible Areas Rural areas including cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data are eligible for this program.

Community Facilities (CF) Program Community Facilities Programs Community Facilities (CF) Program CF Loan and or Grant Examples: Food Banks, Vehicles & Equipment Flagstaff Family Food Bank Health Facilities Regional Border Health Clinic Public Safety- Yarnell Fire District Springerville Fire Truck   Civic City Halls, Libraries, Community Centers Education Schools, Colleges, Museums

Domestic violence shelters Senior centers Community kitchens Community Facilities Programs Food banks Libraries Schools Bookmobiles Hospitals Clinics Ambulances Fire Stations Domestic violence shelters Senior centers Community kitchens First responder equipment Street improvements Greenhouses Community gardens Airport hangers Town halls Court houses Garbage Trucks Museums Nursing homes Charter schools Child care centers Prisons  

Thank You! Jeff Hays 928-910-4472 Jeff.Hays@az.usda.gov The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. , Washington , D.C. 20250-9410 , or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.