VAPG Application Portal
Grant Application Portal User Guide
The Grant Application Portal User Guide is your tool for completing a VAPG application. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to help you navigate the portal.
Grant Application Portal User Guide | PDF
Are you having issues with the Grant Application Portal? Please contact the VAPG team here. VAPG Application Assistance
What does this program do?
The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income.
You may receive priority if you are a:
- Beginning farmer or rancher.
- Veteran farmer or rancher.
- Socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher.
- Small or medium-sized farm and ranch structured as a family farm.
- Farmer or rancher cooperative.
- Proposing a mid-tier value chain.
Grants are awarded through a national competition.
VAPG is part of the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) which is an umbrella program created under the 2018 Farm Bill. Producers can find other grant funding opportunities at the LAMP web page.
Program Funding: Approximately $30 million in total available funding.
Maximum Grant Amount: Planning Grants $75,000; Working Capital Grants: $250,000.
Matching Funds Requirements: Matching funds requirement of 100 percent of the grant amount required for all applications.
Who may apply for this program?
Agricultural producers (includes harvesters and steering committees), agricultural producer groups, farmer- or rancher-cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures, as defined in the program regulation, are eligible to apply for this program.
Are you eligible for the VAPG program?
A VAPG Self-Assessment survey is available to assist you with determining potential eligibility for the VAPG program. The VAPG Self-Assessment survey is not a requirement to start the VAPG application process, but it is a helpful tool in assisting agricultural producers with determining potential eligibility for the program. All potential applicants are encouraged to complete the short survey.
VAPG Self-Assessment Survey
How may funds be used?
Grant and matching funds can be used for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product.
Examples of planning activities include:
- Conducting feasibility studies.
- Developing business plans.
- Developing marketing plans for the proposed value-added product.
Examples of working capital expenses include:
- Processing costs.
- Marketing and advertising expenses.
- Some inventory and salary expenses.
How do I get started?
Interested applicants are encouraged to review the information provided on the ‘To Apply' tab.
Who can answer questions?
If you have questions, you can contact your nearest Rural Development Office.
Will I need to send any reports if I receive a grant?
Yes, if you receive a grant, you must send regular financial and performance reports. Your financial assistance agreement will explain how often to send the reports, what forms to use, and what information to put in the reports.
Where can I get more information?
Please read the program regulation for the details on what is needed for an application. The program regulation can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 7 CFR Part 4284 Subpart J. It can be accessed at this link: Federal Register :: 7 CFR 4284, Subpart J Value-Added Producer Grant. Note that this regulation was updated on September 16, 2024, so it is important to make sure you are looking at the most recent version of the regulation. It contains details about the program’s purpose, how to use grant funds, application requirements, and the selection process.
Applicants are also encouraged to read the application Notice which provides additional information on the VAPG program cycle, how to submit an application, the review and selection process, as well as other details.
What law governs this program?
The VAPG program is authorized under section 231 of the Agriculture Risk Protection Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-224), as amended by section 6203 of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018.
NOTE: Because citations and other information may be subject to change, please always consult the program instructions listed in the section above titled “What law governs this program?” You may also contact your local office for assistance. Please ensure that your state is selected in the dropdown menu above to contact your local Business Programs Specialist.
VAPG Application Portal
Grant Application Portal User Guide
The Grant Application Portal User Guide is your tool for completing a VAPG application. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to help you navigate the portal.
Grant Application Portal User Guide | PDF
Before you apply.
To complete an application for this program, you must be pre-registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). The SAM registration process is free, but it can take time to complete. If you are already registered with SAM, you do not need to register, however you must ensure that your registration is active and remains active through the Period of Performance. It’s a good idea to start the registration process at least one month before the program application deadline.
Before you start the SAM registration process, we suggest reading through the HELP materials available on the SAM website. After you create your account, you can register your organization. Please note your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number because you will need it for your application.
To Apply
Applications for the VAPG program must be completed through the Grant Application Portal (GAP).
Before starting your application, we encourage, but do not require you to complete a VAPG Self-Assessment survey to help confirm potential eligibility for the program. In addition, we recommend reaching out to your local Business Program Specialist to discuss your project. Please ensure that your State is selected in the dropdown menu above to access the contact information for your local State Business Programs Specialist.
To access the GAP and start an application you will be directed to log into the portal through eAuthentication. All applicants will need Level 2 eAuthentication access (eAuth). If you do not have eAuth, you will be required to create an account at https://www.eauth.usda.gov/.
Please note: USDA eAuth is the system used by USDA agencies to enable individual customers and employees to obtain accounts that will allow them to securely access USDA Web applications and services via the Internet. The eAuth policy defines four assurance levels, Level 2 access is required for the GAP and provides some confidence in the asserted identity's validity.
Once you’ve completed your log in process, you will be directed to the GAP Homepage where you can start an application or return to an application in process.
Starting an application in GAP.
Please be aware, applications in GAP must be started by the Authorized Representative of the applicant entity who has signature authority. Applicants may work with a collaborator (grant writer, technical assistance provider, or similar) or other representatives (owners or family members) of the applicant entity, however, the owner of the applicant entity will be responsible for starting the application, responsible for edits made to the application by collaborators or representatives, and will be required to certify to the trueness, accuracy, and completion of the application. Collaborators and representatives will need Level 2 eAuth access to be added to an application and can create an account at https://www.eauth.usda.gov/.
VAPG Information
VAPG Application Portal
Grant Application Portal User Guide
The Grant Application Portal User Guide is your tool for completing a VAPG application. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to help you navigate the portal.
Grant Application Portal User Guide | PDF
Rural Business & Cooperative Service - TN State Office
(615) 783-1341
(800) 342-3149 ext. 1341
VAPG Application Portal
Grant Application Portal User Guide
The Grant Application Portal User Guide is your tool for completing a VAPG application. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to help you navigate the portal.
Grant Application Portal User Guide | PDF