Value-Added Producer Grants in South Carolina is sponsored by USDA Rural Development. This program assists agricultural producers in entering into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income.

### VAPG Application Portal **Grant Application Portal User Guide|**PDF This guide is your tool for completing a VAPG applications and provides step-by-step instructions to help you navigate the portal. **Are you experiencing issues with the Grant Application Portal? ** •For program-related issues, please reach out to your State Office contact.

Select your state from the “For State Specific Information” dropdown menu above and then select the contact tab. •For technical issues, please contact the helpdesk. ### FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) ### What Does the VAPG Program Do?

The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps U.S. agricultural producers enter into value-added activities that: * Generate new products from raw agricultural commodities * Create and expand marketing opportunities * Increase producer income through enhanced product value and market reach These grants support either: * Planning activities (e.g., feasibility studies, business and marketing plans) * Working capital needs (e.g., processing, packaging, advertising, inventory, and salaries) Applicants may receive priority consideration if they meet any of the following criteria: * Beginning farmer or rancher * Veteran farmer or rancher * Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher * Small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm * Farmer or rancher cooperative * Proposing a Mid-Tier Value Chain project Additionally, 10% of total funds are reserved for: * Beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers/ranchers * Mid-tier value chain proposals * Food safety projects where the majority of funds improve market access * Total Available Funding: Approximately $25 million * Planning Grants: Up to $50,000 * Working Capital Grants: Up to $200,000 * Matching Requirement: 1:1 match (100% of the grant amount), which may include cash or eligible in-kind contributions Grants are awarded through a nationally competitive process based on criteria outlined in 7 CFR 4284, Subpart J.

Eligible applicants include: * Agricultural producers (including harvesters and steering committees) * Agricultural producer groups * Farmer- or rancher-cooperatives * Majority-controlled producer-based business ventures Applicants must demonstrate that they: * Own and produce more than 50% of the raw commodity * Will retain greater revenue from the value-added product than from the raw commodity alone ### How to Check Eligibility A VAPG Self-Assessment Survey is available to help determine your eligibility.

While not required, it is strongly encouraged before beginning the application process. Take the VAPG Self-Assessment Survey VAPG is part of the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), an umbrella initiative created under the **2018 Farm Bill**. LAMP consolidates several USDA programs to support local and regional food systems.

### Where to Get More Information To fully understand the VAPG program’s requirements, funding uses, and application process, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the following official resources: The VAPG program is governed by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)at: 7 CFR Part 4284, Subpart J – Value-Added Producer Grant This regulation outlines: * The program’s purpose and definitions * Eligible applicants and activities * Application content and evaluation criteria * Grant administration and reporting requirements ### Application Notice (NOFO) Each funding cycle will be accompanied by a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), which provides: * Application deadlines and submission instructions * Review and scoring criteria * Funding priorities and reserved set-asides * Contact information for technical assistance The agency will post a link to the Notice on the program website when it is available.

### Administrator Priorities for FY2026 The Administrator of the Agency may prioritize applications that demonstrate domestic manufacturing and industrial capacity, domestic energy production and energy security, development of new and expanded markets for American farmers and rural producers, and program integrity, including efforts to prevent and reduce fraud, waste, and abuse.

To ensure funds are broadly utilized in support of Rural Prosperity and to improve quality of life in rural America, the Administrator, at his discretion, will advance these priorities by awarding points for the following three categories: * Eligible applicants who have never previously received a VAPG grant * Applicants requesting a grant amount of less than $125,000 * Applicants that contribute to improving geographic diversity among awards To ensure program integrity, and to help prevent fraud, waste and abuse, Applicants who pay for third-party professional services to prepare any part of the application or to provide grant management services must disclose both the name of the individual or entity and the amount paid.

Professional services may include, but are not limited to, consultants, grant writers, technical assistance providers, packagers, or similar roles. If the amount paid for these services is 15% or less of the requested grant amount, there is no impact on eligibility for Administrator priority points. However, if the amount exceeds 15%, the application will not be eligible for consideration under Administrator priority.

If an application is selected for funding, the Agency may request a copy of the contract or agreement to verify the disclosed information. This document must clearly define the scope of work and specify payment terms. Applicants who cannot provide this documentation, or whose documentation does not support the information submitted in the application, will have their award rescinded.

The Agency may also request copies of any other contracts or agreements the applicant has with the third party related to the project to ensure service costs have not been shifted to other agreements before, during, or after the proposed project period. If an application meets the eligibility criteria for Administrator priority points, it will automatically be considered for these points at the Administrator’s discretion.

For more information, please visit the Notice of Funding Opportunity. The VAPG program is authorized under: * Section 231 of the Agriculture Risk Protection Act of 2000(Public Law 106-224) * As amended by Section 6203 of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018(2018 Farm Bill)