Maine Insights Newsmagazine

Funding Will Impact Local Agricultural Production, Create Jobs, Support Local Food Production, and Benefit Rural Maine Communities

 By Ramona du Houx

January 12, 2022 

During a virtual workshop held by the Maine Agricultural Trades Show on January 12, 2022, USDA Rural Development State Director Rhiannon C. Hampson announced that ten Maine agricultural producers are receiving grants totaling $2,027,149 through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program.

For decades Maine agriculture, aquaculture and local food producers have struggled searching for programs that would substantially lift their operations to the next level of business, without breaking the bank. The USDA grants awarded to these local businesses will help grow value added businesses in Maine. All to often the raw goods have been sold and shipped out of state where another company adds value to the goods.

The grants represented here should encourage others. Please read below to find out whee to apply.

“Through supporting local farms and agricultural businesses with innovative programs like the Value-Added Producer Grant, Rural Development is contributing to a stronger and more resilient Maine food supply. These grants help expand capacity and production while creating jobs, helping rural businesses to thrive,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Rhiannon C. Hampson.

The Biden Harris Administration is committed providing the USDA with programs to build a more resilient supply chain and better food system, as well as and to increase competition in agricultural markets, pursuant to President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy and his Executive Order on America’s Supply Chains.

In Maine, a total of $2,027,149 in being invested in agriculture and local foods production through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program.

• ·                 Dandelion Spring Farm, LLC, in Bowdoinham, has received a grant in the amount of $250,000. This Rural Development investment will be used to help the business expand production and sales of organically produced vegetable and herbs.
• ·                 Jacoby, Mark, dba Blue Barrens Farm, in Columbia, has received a grant in the amount of $245,352. This Rural Development investment will be used to help the business expand production and distribution of fresh-packed and fresh-frozen wild Maine blueberries. 
• ·                 Maine-Ly Poultry, Incorporated, in Warren, has received a grant in the amount of $250,000. This Rural Development investment will be used to help the business expand its raw dog food production. 
• ·                 Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township, Passamaquoddy Maple, in Jackman, has received a grant in the amount of $250,000. This Rural Development investment will be used to help the business expand its current grocery and specialty food outlets. Passamaquoddy Maple is a tribal enterprise of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township
• ·                 Moon Root, LLC – dba Copper Tail Farm, in Waldoboro, has received a grant in the amount of $249,989. The business will use the working capital grant funds to expand productions, marketing, and sales of goat milk cheeses, yogurts, soaps, and cajeta. This project will allow for an increase in customer base and revenue and will add three part-time employees.
• ·                 Olde Haven Farm, LLC, in Chelsea, has received a grant in the amount of $249,580. The business will use the working capital grant funds to expand productions, marketing, and sales of pork and lamb sausages, canned pickles, and preserves. This project will allow for an increase in customer base and revenue and will add two full time jobs.
• ·                 Tide Mill Organics, in Edmunds Township, has received a grant in the amount of $250,000. The business will use the working capital grant funds to expand productions, marketing, and sales of organic chicken and sausage to out of state markets. This project will allow for an increase in customer base and revenue and will add four full time jobs.
• ·                 Wandering Goat, LLC, in Union, has received a grant in the amount of $250,000. The business will use the working capital funds expand productions, marketing, and sales of goat milk soap. This project will allow for an increase in customer base and revenue and will add two part-time jobs.
• ·                 Deep Blue Aquaculture LLC, dba Vertical Bay, in Belfast, has received a grant in the amount of $24,882 This Rural Development investment will be used to help Deep Blue Aquaculture, LLC d/b/a Vertical Bay expand production and sales of whole scallops.
• ·                 Brodis, Gwendolyn E, dba Brodis Wild Blueberries, in Hope, has received a grant in the amount of $7,346. This Rural Development investment will be used to help the business assess the feasibility of making and selling value-added blueberry products in the Mid-Coast Maine region.The study intends to find which value-added products in their current line are more and less feasible based on market needs and potential profitability.

The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income. For more information about the program or to apply, please contact Ivana Hernandez Clukey at 207-990-9127 ivana.hernandezclukey@usda.gov

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, promoting competition and fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.