WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that five farms in Maine will receive a total of $1,009,892 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) program.

“Maine is known throughout the country for our wild blueberries, potatoes, dairy, and many other wonderful agricultural products.,” said Senators Collins and King. “These investments will help diversify our state’s homegrown products, making them more accessible and appealing to consumers.”

When we help create processing opportunities for Maine farms, we shorten the local supply chain,” said USDA Maine Rural Development Director Rhiannon Hampson. “This results in more choices for Maine consumers, as well as more opportunities and revenue for farmers. The Rural Development grants announced today offer businesses a chance to sustainably jumpstart growth, create jobs and enhance the ‘multiplier effect’ of the dollars being awarded.” 

The VAPG program helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income. The program is competitive, and USDA evaluates applications at the national level. This year, five Maine farms submitted winning proposals: 

• Balfour Farm ($249,917) will use its working capital grant funds to expand the processing, marketing, and sales of its frozen fresh sausages and cured meats, creating one new job. The organic dairy farm and creamery is in Pittsfield. 

• Fields Fields Blueberries ($10,000) secured planning grant funds to assess the feasibility of expanding the market for its blueberry crisp. The business will explore options for co-manufacturing and available distribution channels and will assess what would be necessary in terms of production scale. The farm is in Dresden.

• Herbal Revolution Farm & Apothecary ($250,000) will use its working capital grant funds to expand the production, marketing, and sales of herbal tinctures, tonics, teas, scrubs, and elixirs. The project will increase wholesale and retail sales and allow the business, located in Union, to hire up to four additional staff.

• Ledgeway Farm ($249,975) will use its working capital grant funds to expand processing, marketing, and sales of its diverse array of goat milk soap bar products. This project will allow the Pittston farm to grow its customer base and create two new jobs.

• William H. Jordan Farm ($250,000) will use its working capital grant funds to expand processing, marketing, and sales of its shelf-stable products and frozen vegetables. This project will attract more customers to the farm store and expand its line of frozen and shelf-stable products offered through retail and wholesale channels. The fifth-generation Cape Elizabeth farm expects to add two jobs because of the project.

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