Hoosier Farmers Harvest Federal Dollars
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowConnersville-based Jacobs & Brichford LLC co-owner Leslie Jacobs says a round of grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows the government recognizes the importance of small farmers creating value-added products. The company produces and sells specialty cheeses throughout the United States. Jacobs & Brichford is one of five Indiana companies to receive grants. Jacobs says the funding creates economic opportunities by allowing small farmers to turn raw commodities into new products. The Indiana recipients are:
Indy Family Farms in Greenfield – $73,770 – Rural Development funds will be used to plan a farm‐to-market process.
JBW Pork LLC in Francesville – $15,870 – Rural Development funds will be used to plan for processing manure into fertilizer nutrient components, resulting in fertilizer that uses less water for application and is preferred by crop farmers.
Jacobs & Brichford LLC in Connersville – $130,000 – Rural Development funds will be used to expand this on‐farm cheese‐making and marketing operation.
This Old Farm Inc. in Colfax – $75,000 – Rural Development funds will be used to add chopped lettuce as a new value‐added product, which will be marketed to new geographic markets in a 400 mile radius around Central Indiana. The farm is also participating in the Farm to School Board discussions with the intent of supplying fresh cut produce.
Hoosier Harvest Market LLC in Greenfield – $50,000 – Rural Development funds will be used to expand the marketing capabilities of this cooperative food hub and the farmers it serves.
Sources: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Inside INdiana Business
August 19, 2014
News Release
LOUDON, N.H. – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today highlighted the importance of rural entrepreneurs to the U.S. economy and announced investments to help rural businesses grow, diversify and create jobs. USDA is investing $25 million to help 247 businesses nationwide expand their operations and create new products to market, Secretary Vilsack said today during a visit to Miles Smith Farm in Loudon, N.H.
The funding is being provided through USDA Rural Development's Value-Added Producer Grant program. The program helps agricultural producers grow their businesses by turning raw commodities into value-added products, expanding marketing opportunities and developing new uses for existing products.
“The funding we are announcing today will have far-reaching, positive impacts in rural communities across the country,” Vilsack said. “The investments will help businesses create new products, expand their operations, and support local and regional food systems. The new Farm Bill expands this program to provide even more of these opportunities.”
Since 2009, USDA has awarded 863 Value-Added Producer Grants totaling $108 million. Twenty percent of the grants and 16 percent of total funding has been awarded to beginning farmers and ranchers. The 2014 Farm Bill increases mandatory funding for the program from $15 million to $63 million over five years (while also reauthorizing an additional $40 million in discretionary funding).
The grants can be used for a wide range of purposes. They can support local and regional food systems, further the development of the growing bioeconomy, and finance the distribution of local and regional products.
For example, Miles Smith Farm LLC in Loudon, N.H., has been selected for a $127,732 Value-Added Producer Grant to market and produce burgers made from 55 percent grass-fed beef and 45 percent organically raised pork. By mixing ground pork with extra-lean, grass-fed ground beef, the farm can produce a burger with the ideal fat and flavor levels that grass-fed ground beef does not have alone. Miles Smith Farm’s owner calls the mix “the burger that squeals with flavor.” Value-Added Producer Grants often help business develop markets for niche and specialty products.
In neighboring Vermont, North Hollow Farm LLC, in Rochester, is receiving a $161,204 grant to expand processing and marketing of grass-fed beef and natural meats. FarmieMarket Online LLC in Rensselaerville, N.Y., has been selected for a $24,490 grant to expand its online presence for 16 small farmers who produce a broad range of fresh foods that are aggregated and sold online, expanding their customer base.
Value-Added Producer Grants are an element of USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative, which coordinates USDA's work to support local and regional food systems. Previous Value-Added Producer Grants supporting local and regional projects are mapped on the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food compass.
USDA is awarding Value-Added Producer Grants in 46 states, Puerto Rico and Micronesia. Funding for each project is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the grant agreement.
The announcement of today's funding was made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve the quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.
President Obama's historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.
Source: The U.S. Department of Agriculture