Two grant programs open for applications

Applications for grant money for two programs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are due for submission next year.

Funding through the Value-Added Producer Grant program requires an application by Feb. 24, according to the USDA Rural Development Nevada state office in Carson City. Those eligible are independent agricultural producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, and agricultural producer groups. A planning grant would be for $75,000, a maximum working capital grant for $200,000.

The money is aimed at helping successful applicants create new products, expand marketing opportunities, support further processing of existing products or goods, or develop speciality or niche products.

The related announcement covers USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Enterprise program, which in Nevada has $50,000 in grant funding available. The deadline is Jan. 10.

Public bodies, private nonprofit corporations, rural development authorities and federally recognized tribes are eligible for these grants; individual business firms aren’t. The funds must, however, be used to facilitate development of small and emerging private business enterprises in rural areas.

The Northern Nevada contact for each program is Michelle Kelly at the USDA Rural Development Nevada state office, at 1390 S. Curry St. in Carson City. The telephone number is 775-887-1222.