Discovery tool, not advice. Every figure is the published rule, not a decision on your case.

Grants

USDA Value-Added Producer Grants

Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG)

Status

Status not published

FY2026 round: 'Applications are accepted for processing from Agricultural Producers from February 17, 2026, through 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), April 22, 2026.' Announced annually via a Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Check with the funder

Amount

$200,000

Planning Grants 'Up to $50,000'; Working Capital Grants 'Up to $200,000'. Approximately $25 million was available in the FY2026 round. All grants require a '1:1 match (100% of the grant amount), which may include cash or eligible in-kind contributions'.

You must co-fund 50%.

Funder

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (Rural Business-Cooperative Service)

public · national

Deadline: annual_call — FY2026 round: 'Applications are accepted for processing from Agricultural Producers from February 17, 2026, through 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), April 22, 2026.' Announced annually via a Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Your odds

Not published

This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.

Effort

major

Major bid — written case, budget, possibly partners.

You fund 50% yourself.

Who can apply

Sectors: agri
Stage: idea, pre_seed, seed, growth
Locally registered entity required

Eligible applicants are 'Agricultural producers (including harvesters and steering committees)' and 'Agricultural producer groups'. Applicants must 'Own and produce more than 50% of the raw commodity' and show they 'Will retain greater revenue from the value-added product than from the raw commodity alone'. Priority points for beginning farmers/ranchers, veteran farmers, socially disadvantaged producers and small/medium-sized family farms. SAM.gov registration with a Unique Entity ID is mandatory - the practical gate for all federal awards.

How to apply

Confirm you are an eligible independent agricultural producer, producer group, farmer/rancher cooperative or majority-controlled producer-based business venture. — link
Register in SAM.gov to obtain a Unique Entity ID and in Grants.gov. — link
Prepare the application (business/feasibility plan or working capital request) and secure the 1:1 matching funds.
Submit via Grants.gov or to the USDA Rural Development state office before the deadline.

What you will need

Feasibility study (working capital applications)
Business plan
Evidence of matching funds (cash or eligible in-kind, 1:1)
Proof that the applicant owns and produces more than 50% of the raw commodity
SAM.gov registration with UEI

Apply on the funder's site

Source. https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/value-added-producer-grants — checked 2026-08-14

"Applications are accepted for processing from Agricultural Producers from February 17, 2026, through 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), April 22, 2026."