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

Duchess Farm Products, LLC received a $250,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Cooperative Services under the Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) program (CFDA 10.352), awarded on September 10, 2025, with a completion date of September 10, 2027. This grant supports the awardee's entry into value-added processing and marketing activities for agricultural products. As an SBA Certified HUBZone Firm based in Virginia, Duchess Farm Products will utilize the funding to support either planning activities to establish economic viability through feasibility studies and business planning, or working capital expenses for day-to-day operational costs associated with processing and marketing value-added agricultural products.

The Value-Added Producer Grants program distributes competitive federal funding to eligible agricultural producers and producer-based businesses to facilitate the development of new products and expanded marketing opportunities that increase producer income. Grant funds may support planning and working capital activities but are restricted from use in agricultural production, construction, real property acquisition, or fixed equipment and vehicle purchases. With steady annual award volumes of 78-87 grants since 2022, the program has distributed over $219.3 million across 1,726 total awards since 2010, positioning this $250,000 award to Duchess Farm Products within the higher range of recent grant distributions.