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

Blue Diamond Growers received a $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant (CFDA 10.352) from the Rural Business Cooperative Services, awarded on September 3, 2025, with a completion date of September 3, 2027. Under this Project Grant, Blue Diamond Growers will develop new almond-based value-added products and expand marketing opportunities for these commodities through a two-year performance period. The grant supports the organization's efforts to enhance commercial market development and implement climate-smart agricultural practices that increase producer income while advancing sustainability initiatives in the agricultural sector.

The project includes sub-partnerships with Pollinator Partnership and Project Apis M to strengthen the initiative's focus on sustainable almond production and market development. The Value-Added Producer Grants program, administered by Rural Business Cooperative Services, funds planning and working capital activities that enable agricultural producers to process and market value-added agricultural products, with funding allocated competitively to support feasibility studies, business plan development, and operational expenses. This award represents continued federal investment in Blue Diamond Growers' value-added agricultural product development capabilities, consistent with the organization's prior grant history focused on market expansion and sustainable farming practices.