Are you a farmer or producer of agricultural commodities in North Carolina? Looking for assistance to enter the value-added foods market?

The USDA Value-Added Producer Grant Program from USDA Rural Development is currently accepting applications through April 22, 2026. This program offers funding opportunities for agricultural producers in North Carolina (and other states) who want to develop or expand value-added products.

Grants can support activities such as business planning, product development, processing, and marketing to help farmers increase the value of raw agricultural commodities and access new markets. Eligible applicants include independent producers, producer groups, and farmer cooperatives. This program aims to strengthen rural economies by increasing farm income and creating new market opportunities for agricultural products.

Before You Apply

To submit an application for this program, you must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with an active registration, as required by 2 CFR Part 25.

SAM registration is free, but the process can take time. It is recommended that you begin registering at least one month before the application deadline to ensure your registration is active when you apply.

If you are already registered in SAM, you do not need to register again. However, you must confirm that your registration is active and remains active throughout the Period of Performance.

Before starting the SAM registration process, review the HELP materials available on the SAM website. After creating your account, you can register your organization. Be sure to note your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), as it will be required for your application.

You may receive priority if you are:

• Beginning farmer or rancher.
• Socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher.
• Small or medium-sized farm.
• Ranch structured as a family farm.
• Farmer or rancher cooperative.
• Proposing a mid-tier value chain.

Who may apply for this program? Independent producers (includes harvesters and steering committees), agricultural producer groups, farmer- or rancher-cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures, as defined in the program regulation, are eligible to apply for this program.

Maximum Grant Amount: Planning Grants $50,000; Working Capital Grants: $200,000.

How may funds be used? Grant and matching funds can be used for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product. Examples of planning activities include conducting feasibility studies and developing business plans for processing and marketing the proposed value-added product. Examples of working capital expenses include:

• Processing costs.
• Marketing and advertising expenses.
• Some inventory and salary expenses.

Review the Value-Added Producer Grants program website for complete information.