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Media Advisory No.: PENDING Contact: Office of Communications (202) 720-4623
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Agriculture Deputy Secretary to Announce Funding to Support Business Development and Marketing Opportunities in Rural America
CHICAGO, Feb. 2, 2012 –TOMORROW, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan will announce that USDA has selected 298 recipients in 44 states and Puerto Rico to receive business development assistance and pursue marketing opportunities for agricultural commodities. Funding is made available through USDA Rural Development assistance under the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program.
The grants will help independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives and agricultural producer groups produce new products and secure new markets. The funded projects will create jobs for agricultural producers, businesses and families in hundreds of rural communities across the country. The grants act as a catalyst for business development and entrepreneurship by providing access to capital and technical assistance.
Friday, Feb. 3, 2012
11 a.m. EST (10:00 a.m. Central)
WHAT: Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan will announce 298 grants made available through the Value Added Producer Grant program.
HOW: Audio Bridge Number: 800-857-5233
PASSCODE (Given Verbally): USDA
Trouble number – 202-720-8560
All callers using the above pass code will be placed in listen only mode. To join the Q&A portion of the meeting, these callers are instructed to press *1 on their touch tone phone.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
