ValueAdded Producer Grants

1
Value-Added Producer Grants

• Creating A
• Successful Application

2
Introduction

• How to secure the successful application for a
  USDA Value-Added Producer Grant

3
Agenda

• What to look for in a grant consultant
• How to research the NOFA
• Communication with USDA Rural Development
• Nuts Bolts - VAPG application
• What to expect once your application has been
  awarded

4
Overview

• Successful applications are often a reflection of
  well spent time and analytical organization
• By taking strategic steps to address what has
  been outlined in the NOFA and by listening to the
  advice of Rural Development, USDA will assist you
  in future endeavors to secure funding from a
  myriad of sources, e.g. loans, grants, investors,
  etc.

5
Grant Consultants

• Training
• Samples of work
• References
• Contract
• Details Pay Attention
• Point Person
• Agmrc agmanager.info

6
Researching the NOFA

• NOFA Notice of Financial Availability
• Expectations grants are not free money
• Good organization skills
• Eligibility organization and project
• Order
• Define which of your activities that you desire
  to be funded are eligible for the grant and
  matched funds
• Once awarded this is part of your contract with
  USDA

7
Communication with USDA Rural Development

• Begin communication immediately
• Eligibility
• Matching Funds
• Pool your questions
• Notetaking

8
Nuts Bolts of the VAPG Application

• Outline checklist
• Follow sequence given in the NOFA
• Pay attention to details YOU!!
• Editing drafts
• Get others involved
• Utilize the checklist
• Grandma Test
• No assumptions about definitions and
  comprehension of your project

9
Nuts Bolts of the VAPG Application, cont.

• Acronyms technical language
• Tables and graphs
• Matched funds
• Establish deadlines for completion of drafts
• The final deadline
• Time involved by you and the consultant

10
A Successful Application!

• Maintain communication with USDA
• Technical Assistance grants
• Research potential consultants Agmrc
• www.agmanager.info
• Interview questions
• Resumes portfolios
• Reference questions
• Red flags
• Contracts
• Components of the feasibility study/business
  marketing plans

11
A Successful Application!

• Agmrc Directory of consultants
• Quality of product
• Details within the contract
• Services provided
• Clause, Final payment will not be made to the
  consultant/firm until final approval for the
  feasibility study/business plan/marketing plan
  has been received by (Your companys name) from
  USDA Rural Development.
• Data Report timelines

12
A Successful Application!

• Operating Capital Grants
• Communication
• Deadlines
• Reports reimbursement
• Expectations

13
Summary

• Eligibility
• Communication
• Pay attention to details
• Be organized
• Commit time to doing it right

14
Where to Get More Information

• www.agmanager.info
• The Grantsmanship Center www.tgci.com
• Grantseekers Toolkit A Comprehensive Guide to
  Finding Funding, New Quick, ISBN 0-471-19303-8
• Grant Writing for Dummies, Bev Browning, ISBN
  0-7645-5307-0

15
Where to Get More Information

• Catalog of Federal and Domestic Funding
  www.cfda.gov
• Federal Register www.access.gpo.gov/nara
• The Foundation Center www.fdncenter.org
• Grants Plus, Inc. Deanna Vogler
• [phone] or dbvogler_at_netks.net