A grant program designed to enable agricultural producers to develop businesses that produce and market value-added products was recently announced.

The 2004 Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) offers two types of grants to producers: planning and working capital.

Planning grants are intended to facilitate the development of a defined program of economic activity. This determines the viability of a potential value-added venture. Guidelines for this grant include feasibility studies, marketing strategies, business plans and legal evaluations.

Working capital grants are available to provide funds for operation of eligible business ventures.

Applications for these grants are due by July 30.

To assist interested producers with the development and application process, a program has been planned from 7 to 9 p.m. July 8 at the Westmoreland County Extension Office. The program will be conducted by Gerald Ely, USDA Cooperative Development Specialist and Walt Whitmer from Penn State University.

Interested individuals should contact extension educator Jon Laughner at the Indiana County Extension Office to register for the program. Laughner can be reached at 724-465-3880.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, Extension Director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing Home complex.