Opportunity Information: Apply for RDBCP VAPG 2023
The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) is a competitive grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifically the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Its purpose is to help agricultural producers move beyond selling raw commodities by supporting projects that add value through processing and/or marketing. In practical terms, the program is designed to help producers create new or improved products, open up new market channels, and ultimately increase the share of consumer food dollars that goes back to producers.
This opportunity targets applicants that are already grounded in agricultural production and can show that their project is viable. Eligible applicant types include Independent Producers, Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer and Rancher Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Businesses. The emphasis on these categories reflects the program's core intent: the benefits of the grant should flow primarily to agricultural producers, not to outside investors or purely downstream businesses that do not have producer control.
VAPG funding can be used for two main project types. Planning grants support early-stage work needed to make a value-added venture realistic and fundable, such as feasibility studies, market research, business planning, and related analysis that helps a producer test assumptions and prepare for launch or expansion. Working capital grants support implementation activities directly tied to processing and marketing value-added agricultural products, such as costs to produce, package, label, and market the value-added product, along with eligible promotional and distribution-related efforts. The key theme is that the grant must connect directly to value-added processing and/or marketing activities rather than general farm operations.
The program is framed around clear outcomes. USDA expects funded projects to contribute to generating new products, creating or expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income. Because awards are made competitively, applications need to do more than describe a good idea; they must make a convincing case that the project can work in the real world. Proposals are required to demonstrate economic viability and sustainability, meaning reviewers will be looking for evidence that the venture can reasonably generate revenue, manage costs, compete in its market, and continue operating after grant funds are spent.
From the published opportunity details, this is a discretionary grant (not a formula entitlement program) under CFDA/Assistance Listing 10.352. The funding opportunity number is RDBCP VAPG 2023, and the opportunity title is Value-Added Producer Grant. The notice was created on March 17, 2023, with an original closing date of May 16, 2023. The maximum award amount listed is $250,000, and the agency anticipated making about 190 awards, indicating a relatively broad national competition with a meaningful number of potential recipients, but still one where project quality and feasibility matter a lot.
Overall, VAPG is best understood as a launch-and-grow tool for producer-led businesses that want to move up the value chain. It supports the planning and early execution steps that can be hard to finance, especially for smaller or cooperative operations, while holding applicants to a standard of clear market logic, credible financial assumptions, and a sustainable path forward.Apply for RDBCP VAPG 2023
- The Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Value-Added Producer Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.352.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 17, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 16, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 190 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture
Next opportunity: FY 2023 One-Call Grant
Previous opportunity: 2023 Media Professionalization Assistance Program
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RDBCP VAPG 2023
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RDBCP VAPG 2023) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| FY23 Arkansas Technical Assistance Projects Apply for USDA NRCS AR MULTI 23 NOFO0001253 Funding Number: USDA NRCS AR MULTI 23 NOFO0001253 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Micro-Grants for Food Security Program Apply for USDA AMS TM MGFSP G 23 0008 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM MGFSP G 23 0008 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $3,040,000 |
| 2023 Scientific Exchange Program – African Animal Feed and Fertilizer Innovation Apply for USDA FAS 10620 0762 10 23 0001 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10620 0762 10 23 0001 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $260,000 |
| FSIS FERN Cooperative Agreement -FERN Portal Apply for FSIS FERN 04072023 Funding Number: FSIS FERN 04072023 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $260,000 |
| Cochran Fellowship Program – Mexico Alumni Workshop and Impact Report Apply for USDA FAS 10962 0700 10 23 0004 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10962 0700 10 23 0004 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $130,000 |
| Local Meat Capacity Grants Fiscal Year 2023 Apply for USDA AMS TM LMCG G 23 0017 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM LMCG G 23 0017 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Indigenous Animals Grants Fiscal Year 2023 Apply for USDA AMS TM IAHMP G 23 0018 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM IAHMP G 23 0018 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $50,000,000 |
| Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Apply for OPPE 018 Funding Number: OPPE 018 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagements Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| FY 2023 Conservation Innovation Grants State Program Notice of Funding Opportunity Apply for USDA NRCS AR CIG 23 NOFO0001298 Funding Number: USDA NRCS AR CIG 23 NOFO0001298 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| WAGES: Women in Agriculture Gain Economic Security Apply for SFOP0009753 Funding Number: SFOP0009753 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Women in Agriculture Gain Economic Security Apply for SFOP0009761 Funding Number: SFOP0009761 Agency: Department of State, Assistance Coordination Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Laying Hen and Turkey Research Program Apply for USDA NIFA OP 009862 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 009862 Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $465,000 |
| CADI: Extension Capacity Strengthening in the Country of Georgia Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 23 0011 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 23 0011 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $100,000,000 |
| Consolidated Multifamily Housing Technical Assistance Grant Programs Apply for USDA RD HCFP NPTA OFFFLHTA Funding Number: USDA RD HCFP NPTA OFFFLHTA Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Organic Market Development Grants Apply for USDA AMS TM OMDG G 23 0019 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM OMDG G 23 0019 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| FY2023 Scientific Cooperation Research Program Apply for USDA FAS 10961 0700 10 23 0002 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10961 0700 10 23 0002 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Organic Certification Cost Share Programs Apply for USDA FSA SND AMA 23 NOFO0001306 Funding Number: USDA FSA SND AMA 23 NOFO0001306 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $260,000 |
| Organic Certification Cost Share Programs Apply for USDA FSA SND NOCCSP 23 NOFO0001307 Funding Number: USDA FSA SND NOCCSP 23 NOFO0001307 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,797,250 |
| Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives Program (DBI) Fiscal Year 2023 Apply for USDA AMS TM DBI G 23 0013 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM DBI G 23 0013 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $7,053,333 |
| FY2023 Fertilize Right Colombia Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 23 0012 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 23 0012 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RDBCP VAPG 2023", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.