USDA awards nearly $1M in grants to support Ohio agricultural producers; Grass Powered Poultry receives $247K
In 2024, USDA awarded nearly $1 million in grant funding to four Ohio rural small businesses and agricultural producers through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program, which is designed to help generate new products, create and expand market opportunities, and increase overall producer income to grow local economies in rural areas.
“Small businesses and agricultural producers drive local economies across Ohio,” said Jonathan McCracken, State Director for USDA Rural Development in Ohio. “These awards underscore USDA’s commitment to providing economic opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses while also supporting their families and strengthening their communities.”
For Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 USDA awarded 170 grants in 40 states and Puerto Rico totaling nearly $33.1 million. Ohio’s Value-Added Producer Grant recipients are:
• Grass Powered Poultry, LLC, in Hillsboro, Ohio, received a $247,720 Value-Added Producer Grant to provide working capital for its farm operations. Grass Powered Poultry produces freezer meats from livestock raised on their farm in rural Highland County. Funding will enable them to save one job and create an additional one.
• Copia Farm, LLC, in Johnstown, Ohio, received a $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to provide working capital for its farm operation. Copia Farm produces freezer meats from pork and beef raised on its farm in rural Licking County. The grant is expected to help them create one new job.
• Buckeye Milk House, LLC, in Rittman, Ohio, received a $226,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to provide working capital for its farm operations. Buckeye Milk House is an independent producer that offers bottled milk and ice cream products made locally in rural Wayne County. The grant is expected to help them create five new jobs.
• Chalet Debonné Vineyards Inc., in Madison, Ohio, received a $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant to provide working capital for its vineyard operations. Chalet Debonné is an independent producer in rural Lake County that makes cask wine and other products from grapes grown in its vineyards. This grant is expected to create 10 new jobs and help the local economy.
Applications for Fiscal Year 2025 grants are now being accepted via the Online Application Portal and must be received by 11:59 p.m. (ET), on April 17, 2025.
Value-Added Producer Grants are awarded through a national competition and are requested through an announcement posted on Grants.gov.
For more information about the Value-Added Producer Grant program in Ohio contact USDA Rural Development Business Program Specialist Danielle Frye at danielle.frye@usda.gov.
USDA Rural Development offers grants, loans and loan guarantees to expand economic opportunities, improve infrastructure and provide safe, affordable housing for residents in rural communities. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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