Contact: Renee' Ihlenfeldt
231-723-4325
renee@allianceforeconomicsuccess.com

For Immediate Release (Printer Friendly Version)

GRANTS FOR AGRICULTURE: INFORMATION FORUMS SCHEDULED

Manistee, Michigan -- Farmers and agriculture entrepreneurs in Manistee County take note: two informational forums will be held in our area soon to help agricultural producers learn more about grant opportunities through the U. S. Department of Agriculture/MSU Product Center. Agricultural producers interested in increasing their profit potential by adding value to their products are encouraged to attend. Two northern Michigan sessions in proximity to Manistee County are scheduled as follows:

Hart, Michigan
Friday, February 1, 2008
10 a.m. to 12 noon
“The Starting Block”
1525 Industrial Park Drive
Hart, MI

Traverse City, Michigan
Friday, February 8, 2008
10 a.m. to 12 noon
Michigan Works Office
1209 Garfield
Traverse City, MI

The sessions will introduce the Value-Added Producer Grant program that is available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Rural Business Specialists from USDA will discuss eligibility criteria, the application and evaluation process, matching funds and other requirements that must be met, as well as resources that are available to help develop a grant application. Representatives from Michigan State University (MSU) will offer a general overview of the grants, discuss how “value added” is defined for the purposes of the grant program and how the MSU Product Center can be of assistance.

Those attending the session in Hart are encouraged to set aside time to tour the meeting location, “The Starting Block,” which is a nonprofit “kitchen incubator” focused on providing all forms of support to entrepreneurs wanting to develop food products. You can contact program director Ron Steiner to arrange a tour at 231-873-1432, Extension 223 or tsbi1@verizon.net.