USDA Rural Development Announces Six Value Added Producer Grant Awards in Pennsylvania

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Bob Morgan announced that USDA is awarding six grants to agriculture producers in rural Pennsylvania.

“Ag producers are vital to the system that helps feed Pennsylvanians. Any time we can support them is a success for us as an agency,” Morgan said. “I am glad these grant funds are getting to operations for them to expand their markets and increase revenue.”

The grant awards total $894,290 for six projects in four Pennsylvania counties through the Value Added Producer Grants program.

The projects in Pennsylvania awarded funds today are listed below.

• North Mountain Pastures LLC in Perry County was awarded a grant of $250,000 to help with processing costs as the farm goes through a growth phase over the next three years. The goal is to increase sales by reaching new customers through a strategic marketing campaign built around on-line marketing of direct-shipped meats. This is anticipated to increase its customer base by approximately 800 and its revenue by approximately $719,711 over a three-year period.
• Roots to River Farm LLC in Bucks County was awarded a grant of $250,000 for processing and marketing an herbal fortified wine, made from its farm-grown fennel. This wine is aromatized with radicchio and herbs, along with a proprietary blend of spices and citrus. Funds will also be used for marketing the new product and securing a foothold in the increasingly competitive American aperitif market. This includes costs for advertising, web re-design and social media management. This project is anticipated to increase its customer base by roughly 6,000 and increase its revenue by approximately $215,000 over three years.
• Katydid Hill LLC in Schuylkill County was awarded a grant of $250,000 for processing, packaging and marketing activities related to producing herbal tea blends grown on the farm. The goal is to increase sales through the expansion of the company’s market and product line. This project will serve a socially disadvantaged independent producer and is anticipated to increase its customer base by roughly 35,000 and its revenue by approximately $439,000 over a three-year period.
• Manoff Market Cidery LCC in Bucks County was awarded a grant of $45,000 for processing and marketing activities to help launch a hard cider product into the Bucks County, Greater Philadelphia, and New Jersey areas. The goal of the project is to increase retail sales by promoting its products through print, visual and social media advertisements. This project is anticipated to increase its customer base by roughly 4,000 and its revenue by approximately $231,000 over a 15-month period.
• Tinicum Farm Collective LLC in Bucks County was awarded a grant of $49,420 for processing, packaging and marketing activities to expand production of the popular and distinct Heirloom Pumpkin Pie to a wider wholesale market in the Greater Philadelphia Region. The goal is to increase sales to customers by providing a retail-ready product that will become the cornerstone of the farm and bakehouse. This project will serve a socially disadvantaged independent producer and is anticipated to increase its customer base by seven retail outlets and its revenue by approximately $45,000 over a one-year period.
• Crooked Row Farm in Lehigh County was awarded a grant of $49,870 to process, market and sell hot pepper sauces, dried pepper powders, marinades, salad dressings, culinary oils, teas, and soaps made from its farm grown herbs and specialty peppers. Funds will also be used to enhance its online marketing capability. This project is anticipated to increase the farm’s customer base by 1,500 and its revenue by approximately $193,000 over a 12-month period.

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