Apply for a Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG)
Get up to $200k to expand & market your business
The USDA Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) provides funding to help farmers increase revenue by processing, marketing, and selling value-added products (jam, cheese, etc.). Whether you're expanding operations or launching a new product, this grant can provide the capital to make it happen.
Two types of VAPG funding
All awarded funds require a 1:1 match (cash or in-kind).
Planning Grants
Purpose: Pays for a qualified third-party consultant to conduct feasibility studies and develop business or marketing plans for a new value-added product.
Focus: Pre-operational activities, such as determining whether a business idea is viable.
Maximum grant amount: $50k
Working Capital Grants
(2 types)
Purpose: Supports operational costs such as marketing services, processing, packaging, advertising, and salaries.
Maximum grant amount: $200k
A. Emerging Market
Product History: New or has been produced and marketed for less than two years.
Focus: Launching new products in existing or new markets.
Documentation Required: Project-specific feasibility study and business plan.
B. Market Expansion
Product History: Has been produced and marketed for at least two years.
Focus: Expanding sales of existing products to new customers or entering new geographic or demographic markets.
Application Deadline: 1:00 p.m. ET on April 15, 2026
Who can apply?
This grant is designed for:
- Independent farmers
- Agricultural producer groups
- Farmer or rancher cooperatives
- Commercial fishers
- Food processors
Work with Good Roots on your VAPG Application
Planning Grant Support
For producers applying for a Planning Grant who need a formal proposal and letter of support.
- 30-minute consult to confirm fit and timeline
- A formal proposal with detailed scope of work
- Letter of support
Working Capital Grant Support
We offer three packages so you can plan your project and budget with confidence. Each package includes structured planning, ongoing accountability, and execution support over the term.
Agency of Record packages (choose one)
Across all packages, clients receive:
- Assessment and planning
- A marketing plan and performance metrics
- Regular check-ins and accountability
- Execution on prioritized deliverables tied to your project goals
12 Months: Launch and Early Growth
Designed for producers transitioning into value-added products or in early stages of market expansion.
Total Investment: $36,500
24 Months: Scale and Expansion
Designed for established operations preparing for larger-scale growth.
Total Investment: $72,500
36 Months: Full Growth Partnership
Designed for mature value-added businesses pursuing significant expansion.
Total Investment: $108,500
If your project is smaller than the 12-month package or doesn’t fit these tiers, schedule an intro call. We can build a custom project.
Examples of prioritized deliverables, but not limited to:
Foundations and Strategy:
- Brand strategy, visual and messaging
- Logo development or refinement
Design:
- Web design or refresh
- Landing page design
- Wholesale sales booklet
- Wholesale line sheets
- Packaging design
- Shipping assets
- Marketing design bundles such as farmers market or wholesale materials
Marketing Execution:
- Email automations
- Email platform migration or backend cleanup
- Lead magnet development
- Ongoing email execution
- Social media strategy, account set-up or refresh, and marketing calendars
- Ongoing social media execution
- Digital advertising strategy and setup
- Digital ads management
- Public relations packages
Want to see what we can do? Download our full sample pack
How it works
Intro call
Learn our process and confirm fit.
No commitment is required from the intro call.
Choose a scope
Pick a package or get a custom scope for smaller projects.
Application support
We provide a formal proposal with scope of work and a letter of support.
If awarded...
We execute the plan with you over the project period.
“Good Roots was essential in getting our direct-to-consumer marketing business started. I highly recommend them to anyone who wants to save several years in their business start-up trajectory.”
– Nolan Masser, Red Hill Farms, VAPG awardee
Take the next step
Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your farm! Fill out the form below to discuss how we can help you apply for and maximize the VAPG grant.