Value Added Producer Grant Program Series
Are you interested in learning about Value Added Producer Grants through the USDA? Join CCE Educators for a 3 session program brought to you by: CCE Madison County, CCE Oneida County, Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Team and Central NY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team
Event Details
Date
February 3, 2021
February 17, 2021
March 3, 2021
Time
6:00pm-7:30 pm
Location
online
Host
Eastern New York Commercial HorticultureElizabeth Higgins
518-949-3722
email Elizabeth Higgins
How Do I Apply for a Value Added Producer Grant?
Wednesday, February 3rd from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM - What is VAPG?
Description: Have you ever thought about applying for a Value Added Producer Grant through the USDA? Did you know that you could get up to $75,000 to pay for planning costs or up to $250,000 in capital costs associated with expanding value added products on your farm? This session will explain the basics of what the Value Added Producer Grant is, how it works, and what types of information you will need to fill out the extensive application form.
Presenters: Myron Thurston and Nicole Tommell
Wednesday February 17th, 6:00-7:30 pm
Now you have decided to apply for a Value Added Producer Grant. How do you fill out the application? How do you make your application as appealing as possible to the person who will review it? This session will outline the process of writing and submitting the Value Added Producer Grant. Our team of experts will walk through the application and make suggestions on how to make your application as strong as possible.
Presented by CCE Oneida County Staff: Bonnie Collins, Marty Broccoli and Helen Madden
Wednesday March 3rd from 6:00-7:30 pm
Your application is ready but you want to be sure that you have included all the right information. What is that information? What will the person that is reviewing your grant application be looking for and how is that application scored? This session will be led by someone who has reviewed VAPG applications and can give some insight on what types of applications get funded. We will also discuss what the funding process looks like.
Presented by Elizabeth Higgins, ENYCH Ag Business Management Specialist
The program is free but you must be registered:
To Register: https://cnydfc.cce.cornell.edu/event_preregistration_new.php?id=1486
Upcoming Events
2026 Orleans County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training
March 9, 2026 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 1
Albion, NY
This training is only for those with experience and does not qualify for the 30-hour official DEC training - you are exempt from the 30 hour training (and eligible for this coaching session) if you have pesticide application experience, either through working on your own farm or through employment on another farm.
March 13, 2026 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 2
Albion, NY
This training is only for those with experience and does not qualify for the 30-hour official DEC training - you are exempt from the 30 hour training (and eligible for this coaching session) if you have pesticide application experience, either through working on your own farm or through employment on another farm.
Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Food Safety Training
March 10, 2026
Newark, NY
Learn about food safety on the farm! This event hosted by the Cornell Vegetable Program, Cornell Lake Ontario Fruit Team, CCE Wayne County, and the NYS Department of Agriculture, will cover good agricultural practices (GAPs) to help reduce the risk of microbial contamination on the farm, keeping food and consumers safe.
WSU Tree Fruit Heat School - In Person Learning Hub
March 11, 2026
Waterport, NY
Attend the WSU Tree Fruit Heat School at an in-person regional learning hub in Waterport, NY, covering heat-related challenges in apple and pear production—or join virtually on your own.
