BI grants - rcdg discretionary value-added agricultural prod MKT dvlp

Big Mountain Ciderworks received a $250,000 Project Grant award from the Rural Business Cooperative Services under the Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) program (CFDA 10.352) on August 26, 2025. The award supports the awardee's value-added agricultural processing and marketing activities through a two-year project period concluding August 26, 2027. Under the VAPG program, this funding is designated to support either working capital for day-to-day operational expenses associated with processing and marketing value-added agricultural products, or planning activities for feasibility studies and business plan development. Based on the award amount, which aligns with the program's working capital grant range, the funding likely supports operational sustainability for Big Mountain Ciderworks' value-added cider production and market development initiatives.

The Value-Added Producer Grants program, administered through a competitive national process, funds agricultural producers and producer-based businesses in developing higher-value processed goods from raw agricultural commodities. Notably, the program restricts funding from being applied to agricultural production, construction, real property purchases, or fixed equipment acquisitions, ensuring resources are directed exclusively toward market development and operational activities. Recipients are required to submit semiannual Federal Financial Reports and project performance reports throughout the award period.