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VALUE ADDED PRODUCER GRANT WORKSHOPS PLANNED
FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS
Three Sessions Scheduled for North, Central, South Jersey
 
For Immediate Release: February 2, 2005 Contact:

Lynne Richmond
(609)292-8896
lynne.richmond@ag.state.nj.us

     
(TRENTON) – The Rutgers University Food Innovation Center, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, is sponsoring three workshops on value added grant opportunities for agricultural producers and producer groups.

The USDA Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program is an outstanding tool that has great potential to help increase the profitability of an enterprise. VAPGs may be used for planning activities and working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy. Since its inception in 2001, the VAPG program has awarded $679,200 in grants to New Jersey applicants.

The workshops will be both information and hands-on, consisting of a presentation of the grant program, as well as a working session to assist in formulation of value-added ideas and in the construction of an application for funding.

The workshops will be held 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.:

Friday, February 11
Warren County Community College
Student Lounge
475 Route 57 West
Washington, Warren County

Friday, Febraury 18
Cook College Campus Center
Multi-Purpose Room A
Biel Road
New Brunswick, Middlesex County

Friday, March 4
Food Innovation Center
87 East Commerce Street
Bridgeton, Cumberland County

Pre-registration is required. Please call (856) 459-1125 for information.

More information on the Value Added Producer Grant program is available at: www.state.nj.us/agriculture/financialassistance.htm.