1. USDA Programs Supporting Local Food Markets
Presented by Jeff Hays
Community Programs Director
USDA Programs Supporting Local Food Markets

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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) (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 , or call (800) (voice) or (202) (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.