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2009 Value-Added Producer Grants
Note: A notice was published in the
July 1, 2009 Federal Register announcing the formal withdrawal
of the 2009 Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) announcement of
May 6, including the July 6 deadline. The notice is very brief,
but explains “The May 6, 2009, Federal Register notice was
published in error. The notice will be reissued with
clarification of contradictory language, additional guidance on
new program components, and
extended application deadlines.” This follows a May
26 notice that the May 6 notice ould be revised. We will
summarize the revised NOSA here as soon as it is available.
The 2009 VAPG
Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) was released May
6, 2009. The program’s goal is to help producer-owned entities
market value-added products in order to increase total returns
to producers. The proposed projects must be for either planning
projects (e.g., feasibility studies, market studies, business
plans) or working capital projects (e.g., operating payroll,
advertising, inventory, market introduction costs). A total of
$18.0 million will be made available in 2009 compared to $18.4
million last year. The maximum award for working capital
projects is $300,000; the maximum for planning grants is
$100,000. Applications for "unreserved" funds must be
postmarked or electronically filed by July 6, 2009.
Applications for "reserved" funds must be postmarked or
electronically filed by June 22, 2009.
Click here for
more information and the official rules.
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2009 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants
USDA has announced the 2009 Specialty Crop
Block Grant Program, through the Agricultural Marketing Service
(AMS). This is a flow-through program whereby
individual states apply for federal funds, which they will use
for grants within their states. Most states are waiting
for USDA to release the funds before announcing their state
programs, though some have already
announced their programs.
States will
leeway in designing their programs, however the program's
general purpose is to enhance the competitiveness of US grown
specialty crops. Morrison & Company has already prepared
concept proposals for 2009 California applicants; California was
one of the early states and the proposal period is already
closed. However most states have yet to announce their
programs. Morrison & Company can use its experience to
help applicants in any state.
Click here for
more information and the official rules.
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2010 USDA Emerging Markets Program
The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation
announced the 2010 Emerging Markets Program (EMP) April 29;
applications are due May 29, 2009. EMP assists in developing,
maintaining, or expanding exports of U.S. agricultural
commodities and products by funding technical assistance
activities. Projects are typically funded for $500,000 or
less. A match is not required but successful applications
usually include a match of 35-75 percent.
Eligible applicants generally include Federal,
State, and local agencies; universities; non-profit trade
associations; agricultural cooperatives; state regional trade
groups, for-profit business, and consulting organizations.
Click here for more
information and the official rules. |
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One of the most important factors when
considering grant writers is their track record; Morrison & Company
has been blessed with a record
of 34 of 37 since its founding in 2002.
Only very large organizations can employ
full-time professional grant writers. As the proposal process can be
time consuming and complex, these organizations have a
competitive
advantage over smaller organizations with fewer resources. Now you can
level the playing field.
Morrison
& Company concentrates on
highly competitive grant programs f or private sector companies and other
organizations. Beyond our strong record of success, we help position
your project to be eligible for the most funding possible, with as small a
cash match as possible. We can often successfully address rules and
other obstacles that initially appear to disqualify a project.
We write grants primarily in a number of areas, with a special focus
on
food, agriculture and agribusiness, and alternative energy (green
energy).
We have written grants for several
programs, including:
·
Value-Added Producer
Grants (VAPG)
·
Rural Business Enterprise
Grants (RBEG)
·
Risk Management Education
(RME)
·
Risk Management Small Sessions
·
Biomass Research and
Development Initiative (BRDI)
·
Emerging Markets Program
·
California International Market Promotion for Agriculture (CIMPA)
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