Grants Offered to Missouri Farmers to Help Add Value to Agricultural Products

Furthering Missouri’s rural communities and creating added opportunities for farmers, the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) announced today that it is currently accepting proposals for the Missouri Value-Added Grant program. The objective of these grants are to provide funding for the creation, development and operation of rural agricultural businesses that add value to Missouri agricultural products and aid the economies of rural communities.

“The Value-Added grants give Missouri farmers an opportunity to explore opportunities that will add value to their commodities and farms,” said Don Steen, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. “Farmers are encouraged to make in effort in helping offset their increasing cost of producing food and fiber by participating in this program.”

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. Applications will be considered individually and judged on the following criteria: economic development potential for the agricultural industry, credibility and merit, probability of near-term commercialization and practical application of project results, presence, source and level of matching funds and where the project will have an economic impact.

Applications for the Missouri Value-Added Grant program are due on or before Sept. 30, 2008. For more information and a copy of complete guidelines and application, visit www.mda.mo.gov or call (573) 751-2129.