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
Apples
Apricots
Asparagus
Beets
Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cherries
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Grapes
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Nectarines
Onions
Parsnips
Peaches
Pears
Peas
Peppers
Plums
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Raspberries / Blackberries
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Strawberries
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
2026 Winter Cut Flower Webinar Series
January 6, 2026
The fifth annual CCE Cut Flower Webinar Series begins on January 6, 2026 and continues over 5 weeks on Tuesdays. This is a very popular series of online events you won't want to miss, with topflight speakers, a wide variety of subjects concerning growing cut flowers and plenty of interaction between speakers and attendees.
Tuesdays 1pm-3pm January 6, 2026 - February 3, 2026 (The webinar held on February 3 will run 1pm-4pm)
Cost: $60.00 for all five sessions, $20 for single sessions
Webinars will be recorded, and all the recordings will be sent to registrants for future review.
Expanding Farm Sales: Markets, Profits, and Branding Series
January 10, 2026
Looking to diversify where you sell your farm products? This four-part workshop series helps farmers explore new opportunities in direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and institutional markets. Learn how to meet buyer expectations, price for profitability, and build lasting relationships that support your business goals. Participants will strengthen marketing and communication skills, evaluate which sales channels best fit their farm, and connect with buyers, distributors, and local partners who can help expand their reach. Whether you're just starting out or ready to grow your market presence, this program will help you chart the right path for your farm's future.
Four Session Series: Saturdays from 10AM to Noon, January 10-January 31, 2026
Attend at one of three locations: Schoharie Extension Center - Cobleskill, NY; Otsego Education Center - Cooperstown, NY; Via Zoom
Pre-registration is requested! Fee: $25 Register Here
Any questions can be directed to Kelley Doolin at kmd322@cornell.edu
Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam Prep Course
January 13 - January 14, 2026
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